Šara (Šar Mountain) National Park

Shar mountain represents a natural border between Serbia and Macedonia, since it stretches over the territory of both countries. This mountain was declared a national park in 1986. National Park Shar Mountain is located in Kosovo and Metohija and it is Serbia's youngest national park. The area of the national park is 39.000 hectares and it is also the highest national park in our country with more than 100 peaks over 2.000 meters and about 30 peaks that exceed 2.500 meters. The highest peak is Tito's peak, located in Macedonia and reaches height of 2.747 meters. The highest peak in Serbia is called Bistra (Clear) and has an altitude of 2.652 meters.

The mountain is rich in gorges, lakes, springs and rivers. It is interesting that on its southeast side, dominated by pastures, Shar mountains seem tame. It is completely different on northwestern side, where rocky slopes of glacial relief are visible.

The whole surface of the park is covered in numerous glacial depressions and valleys, moraines and cirques that were dug by glaciers during the Ice Age. In cirques, later, were formed beautiful glacial lakes called mountain or Shar eyes. In total, there are 27 glacial lakes on Shara and 25 of them are located at an altitude above 1.900 m. Some of the lakes located on Kosovo and within limits of the Park are: Štrbačko, Skakaličko, Šutmansko, Great and Small Jažinačko lake and others. With numerous glacial lakes and various forms of glacial relief, Shar Mountain is a true museum of glacial relief under the open sky.

Štrbačko lake

Veliko Jažinačko lake

Flora of Shar mountain makes a total of 45% of the flora of Serbia and about 15% of the flora of Europe. Many plants that are on the Shar mountain are endangered throughout the world. Of the total number of plants, reaching a figure of around 1,800 species, the most important are tertiary and glacial relicts. There is also around 300 Balkan endemic species, including its 18 local endemics, present only on this mountain massif.

The most famous are milfoil of King Alexander, Shar mountain cloves and saffron. The forests are interspersed with trees of whitebark pine and Macedonian pine (munika and molika) and spruce. There are numerous pastures, crowded with flocks of sheep, mostly guarded by dogs - Šarplaninci. Šarplaninac (Šar Mountain dog) is named after this mountain, from where their breed originates.

Shar mountain fauna includes 32 species of mammals (wolf, bear, lynx, marten, chamois, otters...), 45 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 200 species of birds (bradan eagle, golden eagle, capercaillie...). Additionally, the Shar mountain is a residence of 147 butterfly species, which puts her on the first place in Europe when it comes to the habitat of this insect.

On this mountain reside the remains of medieval fortifications, settlements, hermitages, crypts as well as 34 churches and monasteries built in the period from the 13th to the 16th century. Some of the most important are the monastery of St. Peter Koriski from the 13th century and the monastery of St. Archangel from the 15th century, near Prizren.

Tourists can also use the ski resort in Brezovica, that lies on the northwest side of the Shar mountain. Brezovica is characteristic for the snow that remains present up to 280 days a year. Ski center is located at an altitude of 900 to 2.500 meters, surrounded by beautiful forests and pastures. Unfortunately, after the conflicts in Kosovo, Brezovica was almost closed . The former tourism giant has remained neglected, and only recently recorded some visits.

Brezovica resort

The National Park Shar mountain, in addition to the above, is not under the administration of the Republic of Serbia. It remains under the direction of UNMIK, stationed in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. In the area of NP there are problems that result from inadequate protection of this natural resource, that is linked to the unresolved political and difficult economic situation in Kosovo and Metohija. A significant part of the cultural and historical heritage of the Shar mountain is destroyed, while on its natural values and tourism potentials almost nobody cares. Therefore, it is necessary to insist on the protection of the National Park, its placing on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a very endangered monuments of nature and culture.

For more information visit: http://sharplanina.com.mk/EN/index.html