River Pčinja Valley
The valley of the river Pčinja is positioned in southeastern Serbia. It comprises the river Pčinja and foothills of the Kozjak Mt. and Starac Mt., which are separated by the river Pčinja. The central part of this protected landscape is the river Pčinja itself, which draws attention for the beauty of its ravines and meanders.
The area is located at the border of the continental and Mediterranean climate and, combining the characteristics of both climate types, it is favourable for many species of plants and animals. On one side, it represents the southern border of distribution for continental species of flora and fauna, and on the other side, the northern border of distribution for species characteristic for the Mediterranean.
Polydominant thermophilous forests and thickets of the downy oak (Quercus pubescens), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), Italian oak (Quercus frainetto), Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis),
ash (Fraxinus ornus), prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), Turkish filbert (Corylus colurna), and many other species, among which there are numerous Tertiary relics, prevail in this area. The characteristic species of animals are the snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii), ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus), large whip snake (Coluber caspius), red-rumped swallow (Hirundo daurica) northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Levant sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes).
The richness of the flora and fauna, the preserved morphology of the terrain and the cultural monument of extraordinary significance, the Monastery of St. Prohor Pčinjski from the 11th century, make this area particularly important from the aspect of conservation of natural and cultural-historical values.
