Special charm to this beautiful canyon of the river, give the curving meanders of the river Uvac. These are a natural convolutions that are made due to many years of the river punching trough the limestone rock. Meanders of the river Uvac resemble a maze, and in some places turns at an angle of 270 degrees. They seem unreal, like all the works of the patient builders, from which the nature is the very best.
Special Nature Reserve Uvac is located in the municipality of Nova Varoš and Sjenica and it occupies the territory of 7543 acres. The lowest point of this natural reserve is at 760, and the highest at 1322 meters of altitude.
In addition to the river, and its meanders, the Reserve is also compromised of the three artificial lakes: Uvac Lake, Zlatar Lake and Radoinja Lake.These lakes were formed as a result of the construction of dams necessary for the operation of hydroelectric power plants Uvac and Kokin Brod, which led to the sinking of Valley Uvac, and the occurrence of these lakes.
Inaccessible Uvac canyon was an ideal natural dam and an ideal place for building many monasteries of great significance for the identity of people from these regions. The most famous ones are Uvac Monastery and Dubrava Monastery.
Also, here there was once a famous Monastery of Janja, praised in epic poem “Miloš u Latinima”. This monastery is no longer in this place, even though it is one of the most famous architectural building of Nemanjić dynasty. It is believed that at thit place was built monastery Uvac.
The status of a “special nature reserve” the territory around the river Uvac received thanks to unique plant and animal species that can be encountered here.
The most significant is Griffon vulture, one of the 140 species of birds that live in the wild area of the natural reserve, making the symbol and brand of Uvac Canyon. Griffon vulture is a special kind of scavenger vulture that was faced with extinction in the territory of Serbia.
Fund for the Protection of Birds “Griffon Vulture” has enabled the creation of feeding grounds on which is placed the dead stock and thus ensure their survival and increase the number of individuals of these unique birds which now has about 300. As a scavanger, Griffon vulture has a key role in the prevention of infection, as well the food chain in the territory they inhabit.
Apart from the Griffon vulture, in the gorge of the river Uvac can be found the Golden eagle, also rare and endangered predator, as well as mountain puzgavac (Tichodroma muraria), owl and kingfisher. In the caves can be found a large number of bats, and a curiosity is large number of otters, type of mammals, enlisted in the European red list. The gorge is surrounded by forests of spruce and birch, and on the lush meadows can be found about 50 species of medicinal plants.
A special charm to this natural reserve gives the largest cave complex in the territory of Serbia. The cave system in the valley of Uvac is six thousand kilometers long and together with the meanders contributes to the fact that the Uvac is one of the most beautiful regions in our country. The cave system is characterized by canals in several levels, cave decorations, siphons and halls.
The best known are Usak cave, Tubića cave and Ice cave in the village of Usak. The ornaments in the Ice cave are in the form of drapery and can reach a length up to ten meters.
When you are already here, don’t miss…
Going to Zlatibor and being amazed by one of the most beautiful mountains of Serbia. If you decide to stay, beside idyllic landscapes, expect good nightlife and traditional Serbian cuisine with all its specialties: prosciutto, kajmak, sour cream and “komplet lepinja” (a kind of a bun with eggs and kajmak covered with gravy).
You shouldn’t leave this region without seeing the old Sirogojno village, a true museum in the open, and Mokra Gora with its rail “Šargan eight” that you can ride on an old “Ćira” train.
If you find yourself here in July, don’t miss the Zlatibor Brass festival which traditionally gathers some of the best trumpet players from Serbia, as well as many guests from the country and abroad. It also serves as a pre competition for the Guča Brass festival which is taking place 43km away from Zlatibor. This trumpet festival is also held towards the end of July.
In January, in Mokra Gora, visit “Kustendorf “, a film and music festival created by the famous film director Emir Kusturica.