Ovčar and Kablar Gorge
Between the massifs of the Kablar Mt. and the Ovčar Mt., in the central part of Serbia, the river Zapadna Morava has cut an imposing Ovčarsko – Kablarska Gorge. There are other, deeper, longer, and craggier gorges than this one in Serbia, but not many of them are so beautiful, well known, loved, and praised. The impressive cliffs and the lively ridge of the Kablar Mt. give an impression of a petrified wave that will crush at any moment into the threatening Ovčar Mt. The river Morava that divides them is slow at this section, and here it has cut three unique meanders, of which the first two represent
genuine geomorphological phenomena.
The steep, rocky sides of the Kablar Mt., its rocky boulders, and large forest complexes hide numerous species of well-preserved flora, with many relic species. Characteristic species in this gorge are the hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis), small leaved linden (Tilia cordata), large leaved linden (Tilia platyphyllos), ash (Fraxinus ornus), smoketree (Cotinus coggygria),
mezereon (Daphne mezereum), spurgelaurel (Daphne laureola). The fauna is also very rich. Particularlyimportant species are the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni), European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis), Aesculapian snake (Elaphe longissima), fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), imperial eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), pine marten (Martes martes), stone marten (Martes foina), badger (Meles meles), and other rare and threatened species.
Ten medieval monasteries are scattered like pearls over the gorge, representing a very attractive and significant monumental complex, unique for both the place and the time of its origins.
The spa Ovčar Banja is also positioned here, known for its medicinal thermal springs and beautiful sinter waterfalls and tubs on the brook Banjski Potok.
