RITAM GRADA / RHYTHM OF THE CITY
NATURAL OASES CLOSE TO THE CITY Breathe deeply in the forests of Belgrade Power down all your devices, forget about the benefits of modern civilisation for a while and take a walk in the woods
T he Serbian capital has suffi- cient greenery that you can change destinations and take walks in woods by a lake, on the outskirts of the city or in the closest mountains. Forests are also great places for a picnic, that most poetic of openair gatherings, because they pro- vide a haven and a short break from the grind of daily life. If you’ve already visit- ed the popular forests located in the city itself, why not discover the ones that re- quire that you leave Belgrade, but don’t have to go very far? Stepin lug This largest forest in the greater Bel- grade area covers three hills: Dugo brdo, Stražarska kosa and Mitrovo brdo, which is also Belgrade’s high- est point, at approximately 330 me- tres above sea level, and is locat- ed next to the observation point on Milićev Hill, which provides perhaps the most beautiful and broadest pan- oramic view of the city. The forest was named after Stepa Stepanović, a duke and one of the most celebrat- ed war heroes, whose birthplace is lo- cated on the periphery of the forest, in the settlement of Kumodraž, and is today a museum open to visitors. During the period of SFRY, the forest was called Tito’s Grove. Interestingly, this forest has multiple trails that are well marked. It is packed with birds and is also said to be home to truffles, which is why people often come with their Lagotto Romagnolo truffle dogs, which have a knack of finding these pricey mushrooms. Situated approx- imately 13 kilometres from Belgrade city centre, Stepin Lug is a memorial complex with a forest encompassing an area of 8.5 square kilometres.
Lipovica Forest One of the most beautiful excursion spots is located on the territories of the municipalities of Barajevo and Čukarica, next to the main national road from Bel- grade to Čačak, better known as the Ibar- ska magistrala. The forest, which cov- ers an area of 5,500 hectares, is located just 20 kilometres from the city centre. The vegetation here consists of extensive meadows and pastures, but also decidu- ous forests, with oak represents the most common species. A stream flows through the forest, while there is also the source of the river Topčider. Avala One of the symbols of Belgrade, with its communications tower rising above the city and the Monument to the Unknown Hero, forests cover more than 70 per cent of its surface area. Even the most relaxed walk in Avala becomes an unpre- dictable adventure if you are aware that around 600 plant species grow there, many of which are medicinal and rare; that eight mountain springs flow with pure potable water; that the unique,
blue-green mineral avalite was discov- ered on Avala; that archaeological re- mains can still be found on its slopes; that its trees preserve the truth of nu- merous legends, one of which claims that the Argonauts even visited Avala on their quest to find the Golden Fleece. You are awaited at the top by an unfor- gettable view of Belgrade. Forest of Bojčin This forest has been placed under state protection as a natural and memorial monument. Its trees can likely remem- ber World War I, when the forest housed a shelter for locals and soldiers. The pre- dominant tree species is the English oak, though a total of 185 plant species have been recorded in this forest, 15 of which have the status of protected and strict- ly protected species. Bojčin is also home to 108 species of birds, 10 species of am- phibians and reptiles, countless rabbits, roe deer, wild boars etc. Located approx- imately 30 km from Belgrade city centre, its landscaped area often hosts cultural and entertainment programmes. Kosmaj The name Kosmaj allegedly comes from the combining of the Celtic word “cos”, meaning forest, and the proto-Indo-Eu- ropean word “maj”, meaning mountain. It is today rich in centennial forests of beech, oak and conifers. While explor- ing its trails, you will come across mon- asteries, fantastic observation points and historical monuments. It is located just 50 km from the capital and will provide you with a perfect weekend trip. It is in- teresting that Kosmaj is the shortest Šu- madija mountain, but it lacks nothing compared to the other rich areas of this region when it comes to nature and its rich forests.
78 | Beograd » Belgrade
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