tually need is good weather. You can picnic in any of the forests of Belgrade and find peace and quiet among the trees, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city. KOŠUTNJAK Košutnjak sprawls over an area of 330 hectares, at an elevation of 250 metres above sea level. Once a closed royal hunting ground, it is al- legedly named after does or hinds [košuta in Serbian]. It is unfortunate- ly no longer home to deer, but you can recognise around 30 species of bird among its treetops. Košutnjak is a protected natural monument and a beloved excursion destination among Belgraders. At the foot of Košutnjak Hill is the legendary Hajduk’s drink- ing fountain, which dates back to the 18 th century and is among the old- est such fountains harnessing nat- ural spring water. BANJICA (BYFORD’S) FOREST Once known as Tito's Grove, it was renamed Byford’s Forest, be- cause it was thanks to late British Belgrader Timothy John Byford, a screenwriter and TV director, but also an ornithologist and passion- ate bird watcher, that this urban wood was declared a natural monu- ment and placed under state protec- tion. Home to around 70 species of bird, this deciduous forest has been equipped with signposts along the walking trail that prepare you to en- counter some of them. It is easy to drift away when strolling the uneven paths of this forest, with the chirp- ing of birds, rustling of leaves and the trickling waters on the magical Banjica stream, which springs from the southern side of the forest. Ban- jica Forest is a favourite getaway for those who really want to escape city crowds, café-bars, sports fields etc. ZVEZDARA FOREST Peaking at an elevation of 254 metres above sea level, the forest of Zvezdara Hill dominates the east- ern part of Belgrade, with views over the southern approach to the mighty Danube. Afforestation began
cal adventure if you are aware that it is home to around 600 species of plant, including many medicinal and rare types; that eight springs with clean water emerge from the moun- tain; that Avalit - a unique blue-green mineral – has been found on Avala; that archaeological remains can still be found on its slopes; that its trees protect the truth of numerous leg- ends, one of which claims that the Ar- gonauts even visited Avala in search of the mythical Golden Fleece. You are awaited at the top by a simply un- forgettable view of Belgrade. ADA CIGANLIJA And perhaps the most popular of all: Ada Ciganlija. Thanks to its dense forest, mainly representing oak, elm and poplar trees, but also enriched in the mid-20 th century with American poplar and common ash, it is dubbed a green oasis, while the lake has also led to it being referred to as the Belgrade seaside. Lake Sa- va continues to serve as a drinking water reservoir to this day, with its waters constantly purified by under- water plants. However, former resi- dents – in the form of roe deer, fox- es and even rabbits – have long since fled the forest, as they were disturbed by the hustle and bustle of the sur- rounding metropolis. You can walk all the way around the lake, provid- ed you have the time and the will to cover 7,700 metres. Here you can cer- tainly bathe in every possible way – swim in the lake or bathe in the for- est in the Japanese way. Ada is sure not to disappoint you.
in 1933, following the construction of the Astronomical Observatory that led to the renaming of the entire ar- ea [Zvezda means star in Serbian]. A total of 145 hectares of this hill are forested, including 21 hectares that have been landscaped as a nature park that attracts Belgraders who come for daytrips, relaxation and recreation. This forest is also home to two sci- entific research centres: the Mihaj- lo Pupin Institute and Science and Technology Park Zvezdara. BOJČIN FOREST Bojčin Forest, or the Forest of Bojčin, is under state protection as a natural and memorial monument. Its centennial trees still recall World War I, when this forest boasted a bomb shelter for local residents and sol- diers. The forest encompasses an ar- ea of 629.51 hectares. Dominated by pedunculate oak trees, it is still home to a recorded 185 species of plant, 15 of which are classified as protect- ed and strictly protected species. Bo- jčin Forest is also home to 108 spe- cies of bird, 10 species of amphibian and reptile (as many as eight of which are protected by law), numerous rab- bits, roe deer, wild boar etc. AVALA The mountain of Avala repre- sents one of the symbols of Belgrade, with Avala Tower rising above the city and the Monument to the Unknown Hero perched at the top, while forests cover more than 70 per cent of its sur- face area. And even the most leisure- ly hike on Avala becomes a whimsi-
Belgrade » Beograd | 75
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator