STARA PLANINASunny side of Serbia

Publishers

For the publishers

Lector and correction:

esign

Author of the text:

Printing

Circulation: 1,000 copies

Turistička organizacija Pirot

Bratislav Zlatkov

Dragan BosnićDragan JovanovićAleksandar ĆirićRobert Ilić

Pirot, decemb r 2012.

ISBN:

Radmila Mančić

Dragan JovanovićVesna Jovanović

D

Photo

e

Goran Spasić

Grafički studio SPASIĆ d.o.o. Pirot

Kori ena literatura:- Geografija Poni avlja, Dr. Stevan M. Stankovi- Turisti ka geografija, Prof. dr. Jovan Dini , Beograd, 1993.g.- Sajt JP “Srbija ume”, www.srbijasume.rs

šš

š

ćć

č ć

TURISTIČKA ORGANIZACIJA PIROTul. Srpskih vladara br. 77 · 18300 Pirot · Srbija

tel. +381 (0)10 320-838 · fax: +381 (0)10 320-839www.topirot.com · top010@open.telekom.rs

CIP - Каталогизација у публикацијиНародна библиотека Србије, Београд

1. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUTSTARA PLANINA

Midžor

Vražja Glava

Stara Planina stretches its south slopes inthroughout north-eastern part of PirotMunicipality, on the border with Bulgaria and it isthe biggest Natural resort in Serbia. StaraPlanina is reachable from many directions, butthe best accessible way is from Pirot area, andthat part is also one of the most attractive ones.This is the reason why Stara Planina is a realchallenge for mountain climbers, nature lovers,other passers-by and travellers who like tovacation in a domestic environment. Thehighest peak of Stara Planina - Midžor (2170 maltitude), which makes this mountain one of thehighest in Serbia and on Balkan Peninsula is onthe territory of Pirot Municipality. There are alsoother distinct peaks like: Babin Zub, VražjaGlava, Tri uke and Krvave bare.

(2170m) Is the highest peak on themountain and presents the best way to conquerStara Planina from the direction of Pirot,particularly from Topli Do and over to the BabinZub peak. The other direction is via Zavoj Lake,across Topli Do and then over the Babin Zubpeak and the third direction is through GornjiVisok and village Dojkinci.

(1934m)-Stretches towards the

Č

EXPERIENCE STARA PLANINA AND VISOK

northeast from Midzor and it is on the main partof the mountain ridge. This mountain peak isaccessible from the direction of village Dojkincialthough the ascend is very steep. The NatureReserve „Vrazja Glava“ is just below the peak.

(1963m) - This is the peak with the basethat encompasses the Strict Natural Reserve„Kopren“(it has marked mountain paths)

(1933m) - This peak is locatedsoutheast from Midžor and it is partially locatedin the Strict Natural Reserve „Tri cuke“.

(1943m) The Strict NaturalReserve is on this peak and it contains markedmountain paths.

(1810m) - The peak containsmarked mountain paths.

A number of vacation areas on Stara Planinadominate the landscape with the beauty of theirambient, so the local residents are very frequentduring the summer period.

Vacation area on is on 12 kmfrom Pirot, it is at 1080 m altitude accompaniedwith the Hotel „Stara“ in its vicinity. The vacationarea is on the slopes of Stara Planina and

Kopren

Tri uke

Bratkova Strana

Krvave Bare

2. VACATIONAREAS

PLANINARSKI DOM

Planinarski Dom

Č

therefore it has rich flora and fauna, at the sametime it represents extraordinary ambient forvacation and recreation, the best confirmationfor that is a number of well arranged countryhouses.

Vacation area is located 33 km from Pirotand set in a beautiful environment on 730 maltitude, dominated by Dojkina ka andJelovi ka rivers. This vacation area isreachable within 40 minute drive by asphaltroad. What makes this vacation area attractiveis the possibility for various activities, especiallyregarding Viso ica river gorge with its additionalenvironmental elements. What characterizesthis vacation area is opportunity for hiking,relaxation, recreation, hunting and fishing. Thisarea is named after a nearby spring located in apart of the vacation area in the vicinity of villageJelovica. This spring is specific because once ayear, more specifically in August, it dries up inapproximately the same time for only a fewhours.

VRELO

Vrelo

čč

č

3.BATHING RESORTS

Zavojsko LakeThe bathing resort on the islocated 17 km from Pirot. You can reach thislake by asphalt road in a 20 minute drive. Themost beautiful beaches on this lake in thesummer time are near the former village MalaLukanja, as well as in the other parts of the lakewhere conditions for swimming are similar. Thislake is characteristic for its transparency andpurity of water and therefore it providesexcellent refreshment during the hot summerperiod.As for the accommodation facilities on the coastof the Zavojsko Lake, there is the facility of thediving club “Pirot”, facility of HPP „Kladovo”section Pirot near the dam and worker resorts ofthe Public Utility Company “Water supply andsewerage” near Velika Lukanja settlement.

4. CULTURAL AND HISTORICALMONUMENTS

The wider surroundings of Stara Planinaencompass many cultural-historical sites of thisarea represented by medieval monasteries andchurches, built in the period between XIV andXIX century, alongside with many localities withreligious characteristics from the period of earlyChristianity.

Churches and monasteries on Stara Planina:-St. Peter and Paul Church, also known as the CaveChurch, XIII century, village Rsovci-Monastery of St. George, XIV century- village Temska-The Holy Trinity Church, XIX century, village Rudinje-St. Parascheva Church, XIX century, village Brlog-St. Nicholas Church, XV century, village Dojkinci-Monastery of St. George, XIV century, village Temska-Monastery of St. Ilia, XIX century, village Rsovci-Monastery of St. Mary the Virgin, XVIII century,village Viso ka Ržana-St. John the Baptist Church, built in 1935, villageGostuša- St. Michael the Archangel Church, XIX century,village Pakleštica- St. Nicholas Church, built in 1854, village Bela- St. George Church, restored in 1844, village Slavinja- St. Parascheva Church, XV century, village Temska- The Holy Trinity Church, XIX century, village Jelovica- St. Parascheva Church, XIX century, village Topli Do- St. George Church, XIX century, village Zaskovci- St. John Church, formerly Ascension of the Lord,built 1849. village Dobri Do- St. George Church, built in the late XIX century andearly XX century, village Nišor

č

FORTIFICATIONS CASTLES

5. ETHNOGRAPHIC-TOURISM VALUES(OLD CRAFTS)

- Fortress on Crni Vrh is built in 1892 fordefensive purposes from the conquerors, butwas never used for that purpose.

Ethnographic Tourism values add to StaraPlanina offers and make it even more attractive.This area is characterized by specific customs,language, music, special way of preparing food,folklore, folk costumes, architecture, culturaland historical monuments from differentperiods, handicrafts, legends and other.This area is well known for producing rugs,made of wool from sheep bred on Stara PlaninaMountain. Rugs are characteristic for theirunique patterns, interesting colour range andweaving method. Stara Planina is a place oforigin for yellow cheese made in Pirot, whitecheese, vurda, Peglana sausage and someother less know food specialties. Pottery is alsoamong the old crafts connected with the area ofStara Planina and surroundings. In order topromote and improve the ethnographic tourismvalues of this area a festival “Food from StaraPlanina” is held every year in July in villageTemska.

6.CANYONS, GORGES, CAVES

RIVER VISO ICACANYON

VLADIKINAPLO AGORGE

Č

Č

This is one of the most impressive canyons inthis part of Serbia with river Viso ica flowingthrough it, as one of Serbian rivers with thegreatest drop. The Canyon is very attractive andpicturesque, and since it is very hard to describein just a few words it leaves no other option butto visit and experience it firsthand. The canyonitself is surrounded with inaccessible cliffsreaching a couple of hundred meters in height atsome points. This canyon represents asanctuary for the heart and the soul of anytraveller or passer-by.

Vladikina Ploca Gorge is located 2.5 km far fromvillage Rsovci. This gorge is very attractive, butat the same time very inaccessible, it stretchesall the way to village Pakleštica. The deepestand the longest part of this gorge is calledVladikin a, in that part the gorge reachesthe dept of 200 m, with extremely steep cliffs.This gorge is rich in flora and fauna. It isreachable only on foot. Every visitorexperiences both splendour and awe uponentering this area.

č

a ploč

GORGE OF GRADAŠNICARIVER

GORGE OF THE ROSOMA KA RIVERAND „SLAVINJSKO GRLO“

Very attractive gorge of this river is over 1 kmlong with extreme and steep canyon cuts. Thisgorge is located 4 km far from town, nearbyvillage Gradašnica which is reachable by car,and the rest of the way on foot.Ahot spring Dag-Banjica is situated in the very gorge, it is said tohave therapeutic effects on skin diseases,stomach illnesses and wounds. There are a fewhot springs with the range of water temperaturefrom 12 to 29 C° in the gorge itself and that is thereason why this river never freezes duringsevere winter. Until now the canyon and hotwater are little or not at all exploited bothconcerning recreation and the development ofspa tourism. On one of the hot springs, PublicUtility Company “Water supply and sewerage”,built a small indoor swimming pool enablingbathing in all weather conditions.

This gorge is made by Rosoma ka River whichbelongs to Viso ica river basin. From villageSlavinja you can reach this gorge on foot in 15minutes and the entrance of the gorge hides arare and attractive natural beauty of otherwisevery steep and inaccessible gorge. This gorge ischaracterized by small round dents - whirlpoolsthat make it even more beautiful. In the vicinity

Č

čč

of the gorge there is an old mill whichcomplements the surrounding, and 30m from itis a cave entrance resounding with the flow ofthe underground river. This cave and theunderground water have never been explored.One part of this gorge is accessible only throughthe river.

The most attractive gorge in this parka Gorge, also called

„Little Colorado“. River Temštica runs throughthis gorge creating cuts and stiff cliffs that aresometimes up to 200 m high. You can reach theentrance of this gorge by car in 30 minutesthrough an asphalt road. There is a hydro powerplant „Temac“ in the gorge itself, built in 1939together with a workers resort. The area around„Temac“ is also known as a good vacation area.

These caves are located in the gorge with thesame name between the villages Paklešticaand Rsovci. They are visible above the riverbank at the height of 86 m. This caves arereachable only on foot, the names of the cavesare: Vladikina Plo a 660 m long, Mišja cave(83m), Vodena cave (63m), cave at the Linden(60m), Toplica cave (35m), Vatrena cave

TEMA KAGORGE

CAVES VLADIKINE PLO E

Č

Č

t of Pirotmunicipality is Temač

č

(22m), Ladna cave (17m), Trifunova pecinacave (15m) and Potpec cave (14m). This cavesystem is interesting because of the remnantsthat show evidence of prehistoric man living inthem. Most of these caves are unexplored.

Stara Planina is rich with rivers that providepossibility for development of various forms oftourism, especially fishing and vocationaltourism. Power and the roaring noise of thesewaters in early spring leave no one indifferent;some rivers give the opportunity for rafting,canoeing and spinning. The most importantriver is Viso ica, the mountain tear of StaraPlanina, it flows on the south edge of themount

ka rivers. River Slavinja flows into riverViso ica at about 4 km from Vrelo. From theestuary of Toplodolska River into Viso ica it isnamed Temštica all the way to the estuary withriver Nišava. It is one of the richestwatercourses on the territory of Pirotmunicipality since it has a large number oftributaries on its right side.

7.RIVERS, LAKES, WATERFALLS

RIVERS

č

ain and it is made of Dojkinačka andJelovič

čč

LAKES

WATERFALLS

Zavojsko Lake is the only lake on the StaraPlanina that belongs to the territory of Pirotmunicipality, which is not exploited regardingtourism, but it is very attractive for nature loversand sport fishing. This lake is a product of alandslide that happened near village Zavoj in1963 when village Mala Lukanja was evacuatedbecause of the flood. The accumulation of thelake was created as a product of great efforts ofnumerous people and technology. The lake is17 km long with average width of 300m andbiggest depth of 70m with dam height of 86 m.Zavojsko Lake meets the majority of powersupply needs of Pirot area, it is also a beautifulvacation area, a favourite spot for fisherman,and a beautiful beach situated nearby theformer village Mala Lukanja is utilized during thesummer.

Waterfalls are natural attractions, and as suchthey deserve special attention, it is possible tovisit them with the guidance of mountaineeringclubs. Some of these waterfalls are: Tupavicanear village Dojkinci (about 15m high), Kurtulskiskok (27m), Cunguljski skok (42m), Piljskiwaterfall (64m) that forms cascades (nearvillage Topli Do), and also a number of smallerwaterfalls which are even larger during thespring time of the year.

8.FLORAAND FAUNA

According to the Regulation of 1997 StaraPlanina Mountain is under protection of thestate, and was declared Park of Nature,classified in the first category of protection. Allthis area has many plant species (1190) or 34%of national flora, including 40 protected plantspecies that are natural rarities, 18 speciesunder strict protection and many animalspecies, especially those endemic, that areinteresting from the aspect of tourism. Typicalendemic plant species are: sundews plant,edelweiss, gentian, white water lily, Pan

, as well as the smallest pine inEurope, dwarf pine, spruce, white oak, blackpine and others.Stara Planina Mountain has 40% of the totalbutterfly fauna in the Balkans, 26 species of fish,6 species of amphibians, 12 species of reptiles,203 species of birds (grouse, white eagle,golden eagle, bustard, owl) and more than 30species of mammals. Species present on StaraPlanina Mountain are: bear, doe, wild boar,fallow deer, otters, chamois, mole rat, pinemarten, wolf and fox.The following sites are present in the area ofStara Planina Mountain, which belongs to themunicipality of Pirot territory:Strict natural reserves:- Location "Arbinje" is protected since 1985

čićwormwood

under the name of "Smr a", it is the habitat ofthe mountain spruce- Location "Tri uke", is the habitat of the dwarfpine, spruce, low juniper and blueberry,protected since1985.- Location "Bratkova Strana", habitat of grouse,alpine spruce, low juniper and blueberry,protected since 1985.- Location "Vražja Glava", the habitat of beechtree and mountain maple, protected since1985- Location "Kopren" habitat of sundews,protected since 1985.

-Rsovci - black pine tree, protected since 1985.

Stara Planina Mountain provides manyopportunities for hiking, fishing and hunt

“ in cooperation withMountaineering Union of Serbia invests greatefforts to facilitate hiking by marking andidentification of routes-tracks and paths thatallow many lovers of hiking to experience themountain in the right way. Some of those pathsare:

č

Č

ing.Mountaineering club „Vidlič

Natural monument:

9.HIKING, HUNTINGAND FISHING

- E4 Topli Do - Pakleštica - Slavinja - Smilovci - Gradina E4- E4 Topli Do - Pakleštica - Slavinja - Smilovci Gradina- Pirot - Basarski kamen - Vzganica Pakleštica- Ponor - Strazna uka TupavicaČ

The exceptional richness of flora and fauna inthe area of Stara Planina Mountain providesopportunities for hunting and fishing tourism.Hunting grounds "Old Mountain 2", covering thearea of 40,804 ha provide possibilities forhunting: wild boar, deer and roe deer, wolf,jackal, fox, marten, bobcat, skunk, pheasant,grey partridge, pine marten, stone marten, wildgoose, wild duck, wild dove, woodcock, quail,etc.There is possibility for fishing the brown trout,chub, gudgeon, and other species of fish in thefishing area of Stara Planina.

PE “Srbija sume“, Forest Estate Pirot, 6 SrpskihVladara St., 18300 Pirot, phone +381 10 342-474, 342-475, 313-801Mountaineering club “Vidli ”, 22 Danila Kiša St.,18300 Pirot, phone 060/345-7893, e-mail:pdvidlic@yahoo.comHunters association “Ponišavlje“, Trg pirotskihoslobodilaca bb, 18300 Pirot, phone +381 010321-706Municipal Organization of sport fishermen

pastrmkapirot@yahoo.comCSF “Bistro“, Nišavski odred section B loc. 28,18300 Pirot,

ASSOCIATIONS

č

„Pastrmka“, (OOSR „Pastrmka“), Ul. SaveKovačevića bb, tel. +381 10 321-006, 18300Pirot, e-mail:

10.TRAFFIC CONNECTIONS

Pirot is located in the heart of the Balkans, andconnects Central and Mid Europe with theMiddle East and Eastern Mediterranean. One ofthe branches of the international road route toSerbia - Corridor 10 goes towards Pirot andDimitrovgrad. The road routes are:PIROT - BELA PALANKA - NIŠ- BEOGRAD -BUDIMPEŠTA BE From Niš E-75 highwayengagesPIROT - DIMITROVGRAD - SOFIJAISTANBUL E-80PIROT - BABUŠNICA LESKOVAC M-9 (E-75highway is from Leskovac)

You can reach Stara Planina Mountain from 3directions coming from Pirot;Pirot- Planinarski dom and then through thevillages of Mid and High Visok (Rsovci, Viso kaRžana, Slavinja, Vrelo, Brlog, Dojkinci, Jelovicaand other)Pirot- Nišor-Koprivštica- Zavojsko Lake (onedirection goes to the dam and the other to thevillages Gostuša and Pakleštica).Pirot-Temska-Topli Do

Č

č

11.ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES

Stara Planina represents one of the mostimportant tourist destinations in Serbia, butthere are not enough accommodation facilities.This mountain has a great potential for winter,mountain, recreational, hunt, bicycle, ethno,ecology and rural tourism development, theevaluation and condition improvement of whichis currently being implemented with greatefforts. There are accommodation facilities inPlaninarski dom, Vrelo and some registeredhouseholds in villages In the area of StaraPlanina Mountain, which belongs to Pirotmunicipality.

Hotel “STARA”phone/fax +381(0)10 311-212

B&B, Konaci “ Vrelo”tel. +381(0)10 2353-453

Private accommodation- information andreservations PC Tourist Organization - Pirotphone/fax +381(0)10 320-838, 320-839

Mountaineer Hut in village Dojkinci.Mountaineering club “Vidli ”,22 Danila Kiša St.,18300 Pirot,phone 060/345-7893,e-mail: pdvidlic@yahoo.com

č

01-korica EN02-Brosura EN03-korica EN