Kopaonik National Park covers an area of highest and best preserved parts of the Kopaonik mountain, that rises in the central part of southern Serbia. Same as Tara, the park was established in 1981. and according to its natural values, is the most important center of biodiversity of endemic flora of Serbia with a number of protected natural areas within its limits (area of total 11.810 hectares). Mountain Kopaonik is the largest massif in Serbia on whom the biggest ski centre in our country is located, which is good for tourism, but can have negative impact on the surroundings.
The largest area of the park encompasses the central and most forested part of Kopaonik mountain, a large, relatively flattened region around 1.700 m high, known as Flat Kopaonik. The mountain landscape is dominated by the highest, Pančić Peak (2017 m above sea level) on whom is located the mausoleum of the famous Serbian naturalist Josif Pančić. What makes this mountain particularly attractive is its distinctive landscape with dense coniferous forests (spruce and fir) in higher parts and mixed beech and oak forests in the lower parts of Kopaonik, pastures, meadows, as well as prominent peaks.
Over 1600 species of plants were found on this massif (91 endemic ones). Here we can mention three local Kopaonik endemics: Kopaonik houseleek, Kopaonik violet and Pančićeva režuha. On the European red list are four of these plants, on the Red List of flora of Serbia 50 and on the list of natural rarities of Serbia 30 plant species. Compared to the high mountainous endemic flora of the Balkan Peninsula, 11.9% of endemic species are growing in Kopaonik, which makes it one of the most important centers of endemism in Serbia and the Balkans.
Fauna is especially rich in insects - Kopaonik is the only known site where living endemic and relict butterfly species Colias balcanica Rebel can still be found. Then birds (170 species) of which 90% are nesting as well as 39 species of mammals. A few decades ago, according to Josif Pančić, here lived bears, lynxes, deers, wild cats, martens and otters. Today, of the large game remained wolves and other smaller wild animals - deer, fox and rabbit. Among rare and protected species are mostly birds - golden eagle, peregrine falcon, tawny owl, shore lark, crossbill and others.
At the foot of Kopaonik in few places there are thermo-mineral springs of unqestionable quality and high temperatures, suitable for different kinds of treatment and development of spa tourism. Water temperature ranges from 78 ºC (Jošanička spa) to 38-57 ºC (Kuršumlijska and Lukovska spa, the highest altitude spa in Serbia - 681 m).
Under special protection of the National Park are 1375.2 hectares, separated in 13 nature reserves. Those reserves are:
1. GOAT ROCKS - with relict spruce, fir and heather and a number of relict species of vegetation and rocks.
2. VUČAK - includes unique community of fir and spruce (present only on Zlatar), as well as the communities of spruce, fir and beech.
3. MRKONJA - includes a community of beech and fir-preserved structures in terms of degraded land.
4. JANKOVA POND - the largest peat bog on Kopaonik, with a number of peat bog communities as well as specific communities of spruce, fir, pine and Scots pine.
5. GOBELJA - Reserve representing a community of skerries with habitats of rare and highly endangered species.
6. BARSKA RIVER - includes relict forest communities of beech, fir and spruce relict, significant for science.
7. SAMOKOVSKA RIVER - includes extremely interesting and diverse community of spruce with moss, sorrel, viburnum shrubs, etc. as well as peat vegetation.
8. METOĐE - with six different phytocoenologically spruce and beech communities and a number of other rare and relict plant species.
In this reserve is located Metodje shrine, monument of religious architecture with access path of about 600 m, as well as cold water geyser whose jet reaches 5-6 meters in height.
9. JELAK - with interesting beech fir ecosystem with significant and rare species of yew.
10. DRY RUDIST - characteristic representative of high mountain landscape at the upper limit of forest vegetation with blueberries, juniper and low subalpine spruce, as well as communities tipca and blades wigs.
11. DEEP - in the municipality Brus - includes parts of relict communities of beech with moor grass, as well as the community of beech with black hornbeam (the only such community in Kopaonik).
12. JELOVARNIK - hydrological and geomorphological monument, a waterfall with three cascades of the total height of 70 m, surrounded by a community of beech, fir and spruce.
13. WHITE WALLS - (grooves) - Geological Monument, a prominent Wall ant limestone of the upper border of forest vegetation with blueberries, juniper and low subalpine spruce.
In the vicinity of Kopaonik there are numerous cultural-historical monuments. Some of them are the remains of medieval path Kukavica (literally translated Coward), the remains of a medieval mine Gvozdac, St. Peter and Paul church in Kriva Reka, the remains of medieval towns such as Ras, Zvečan, Maglič, Kozjak and others.
Nearby and below Pančić Peak, at an altitude of 1800 meters, which is the highest location in Serbia, an unusual archaeological site was discovered, called Celestial chairs. According to popular legend, this place is called crkvine, meaning the church and is dedicated to St. Prokoplju, the patron of miners. It is thought that in this place there was Christian basilica that dates back to the V or VI century AD.
When it comes to tourist infrastructure, Mt Kopaonik has quite a lot of it. Accommodation in Kopaonik is divided into three building environments, such as Flat Kopaonik, Brzaće and settlement Treska. Within the National Park was built a tourist center with a system of ski lifts and ski slopes for alpine and nordic skiing. As I mentioned earlier, ski center Kopaonik is the largest and best equipped ski center in Serbia and probably one of the most popular in the region.
It offers 62 ski slopes, including paths for beginners and runs for skillful and experienced skiers, cross-country, alpine trails and parks for snowboarding. For children there are special ski kindergarten' where they can learn the basics of skiing, and there is a possibility of night skiing as well. Thanks to systems for artificial snow, ski season lasts longer, and skiers can be sure that during the season they will be able to enjoy the well-prepared tracks.
In the end, I think national parks should be spared of any kind of unnecessary construction, since it brings more harm to nature than good. Of course, it brings a lot of money to people, and since most national parks are situated in mountains, and mountains are for skiing and other human activities, this is almost inevitable. This naturally wouldn't be the problem, if only authorities in Serbia would have been little more rational and economical and maybe looked up to countries like Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia who take care of the environment and minimize the amount of infrastructure in these crucial places.
The largest area of the park encompasses the central and most forested part of Kopaonik mountain, a large, relatively flattened region around 1.700 m high, known as Flat Kopaonik. The mountain landscape is dominated by the highest, Pančić Peak (2017 m above sea level) on whom is located the mausoleum of the famous Serbian naturalist Josif Pančić. What makes this mountain particularly attractive is its distinctive landscape with dense coniferous forests (spruce and fir) in higher parts and mixed beech and oak forests in the lower parts of Kopaonik, pastures, meadows, as well as prominent peaks.
Over 1600 species of plants were found on this massif (91 endemic ones). Here we can mention three local Kopaonik endemics: Kopaonik houseleek, Kopaonik violet and Pančićeva režuha. On the European red list are four of these plants, on the Red List of flora of Serbia 50 and on the list of natural rarities of Serbia 30 plant species. Compared to the high mountainous endemic flora of the Balkan Peninsula, 11.9% of endemic species are growing in Kopaonik, which makes it one of the most important centers of endemism in Serbia and the Balkans.
Fauna is especially rich in insects - Kopaonik is the only known site where living endemic and relict butterfly species Colias balcanica Rebel can still be found. Then birds (170 species) of which 90% are nesting as well as 39 species of mammals. A few decades ago, according to Josif Pančić, here lived bears, lynxes, deers, wild cats, martens and otters. Today, of the large game remained wolves and other smaller wild animals - deer, fox and rabbit. Among rare and protected species are mostly birds - golden eagle, peregrine falcon, tawny owl, shore lark, crossbill and others.
Nature was quite generous to this mountain in terms of water. It granted Kopaonik mostly cold, mildly radioactive water at higher altitude and thermo-mineral springs at its foothill. So prominent natural features are various springs: Marina water, Krčmar water, Pajin presses, Maple fountain... Hiking trails usually pass by these springs and tourists often visit them as part of the walking tours. There are also many smaller lakes. Semeteško lake is the biggest and is located at 900 meters above sea level in the village Semeteš. It is circular with a diameter of 60 m.
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| Semeteško lake |
At the foot of Kopaonik in few places there are thermo-mineral springs of unqestionable quality and high temperatures, suitable for different kinds of treatment and development of spa tourism. Water temperature ranges from 78 ºC (Jošanička spa) to 38-57 ºC (Kuršumlijska and Lukovska spa, the highest altitude spa in Serbia - 681 m).
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| Lukovska spa |
1. GOAT ROCKS - with relict spruce, fir and heather and a number of relict species of vegetation and rocks.
2. VUČAK - includes unique community of fir and spruce (present only on Zlatar), as well as the communities of spruce, fir and beech.
3. MRKONJA - includes a community of beech and fir-preserved structures in terms of degraded land.
4. JANKOVA POND - the largest peat bog on Kopaonik, with a number of peat bog communities as well as specific communities of spruce, fir, pine and Scots pine.
5. GOBELJA - Reserve representing a community of skerries with habitats of rare and highly endangered species.
6. BARSKA RIVER - includes relict forest communities of beech, fir and spruce relict, significant for science.
7. SAMOKOVSKA RIVER - includes extremely interesting and diverse community of spruce with moss, sorrel, viburnum shrubs, etc. as well as peat vegetation.
8. METOĐE - with six different phytocoenologically spruce and beech communities and a number of other rare and relict plant species.
In this reserve is located Metodje shrine, monument of religious architecture with access path of about 600 m, as well as cold water geyser whose jet reaches 5-6 meters in height.
10. DRY RUDIST - characteristic representative of high mountain landscape at the upper limit of forest vegetation with blueberries, juniper and low subalpine spruce, as well as communities tipca and blades wigs.
11. DEEP - in the municipality Brus - includes parts of relict communities of beech with moor grass, as well as the community of beech with black hornbeam (the only such community in Kopaonik).
12. JELOVARNIK - hydrological and geomorphological monument, a waterfall with three cascades of the total height of 70 m, surrounded by a community of beech, fir and spruce.
Nearby and below Pančić Peak, at an altitude of 1800 meters, which is the highest location in Serbia, an unusual archaeological site was discovered, called Celestial chairs. According to popular legend, this place is called crkvine, meaning the church and is dedicated to St. Prokoplju, the patron of miners. It is thought that in this place there was Christian basilica that dates back to the V or VI century AD.
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| Celestial chairs |
When it comes to tourist infrastructure, Mt Kopaonik has quite a lot of it. Accommodation in Kopaonik is divided into three building environments, such as Flat Kopaonik, Brzaće and settlement Treska. Within the National Park was built a tourist center with a system of ski lifts and ski slopes for alpine and nordic skiing. As I mentioned earlier, ski center Kopaonik is the largest and best equipped ski center in Serbia and probably one of the most popular in the region.
For more information visit: http://www.npkopaonik.com/
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