Divčibare Mountain Plateau

Snow covers the Divčibare mountain plateau for three-four months annually and several ski runs are open for winter sports, including night skiing and cross country skiing…

By Zlatica Ivković
Photo by Rade Krstinić

Divčibare, a mountain plateau at 980 metres above sea level, is located on Mt. Maljen, a mere 120 kilometres from Belgrade just southeast of Valjevo, in western Serbia. Well-known for its mild climate, abundant flora and fauna, numerous springs and streams, Divčibare is also a location that ranks among Serbia’s best locations in terms of air quality, for which reason Serbia’s Institute for Balneology of Serbia declared Divčibare a climatic health resort in 1963. The climate is mild and pleasant primarily due to the area’s excellent geographic location. In the area surrounding Divčibare, masses of air from the Mediterranean collide with winds from the Carpathian Mountains and the Pannonian Plain, a fact that accounts for the presence of iodine in the air. The average summer temperature rarely rises above 22 degree centigrade, while winters abound in crystalline snow that can typically be enjoyed for nearly one-third of the year.

The plateau derives its name Divčibare, or devojačke bare (young girls’ ponds), in memory of the tragic death of a young girl. Folk legend has it that a young shepherdess accidentally drowned in the swelling Crna Kamenica River.

Divčibare has a long history of spa tourism. Its name was mentioned in the distant year 1476, during the Ottoman occupation, in a census of the Smederevo District. After the Second Serbian Uprising in 1815, Serbian Prince Miloš Obrenović bought the entire plateau from a local Turkish warlord, Deli-aga, including buildings and pens for livestock. Prince Miloš frequently visited this region to tour and oversee shepherds. The mountain spring called Miloš’s Fountain, near the Gospodarske Kolibe, bears witness to his one-time presence in the area.

Snow covers the Divčibare mountain plateau for three-four months annually, which is reason enough for fans of winter sports and snowcovered landscapes to visit the area in winter. Skiers have a number of ski runs to choose from, including one that is 800 metres in length, while most challenging run descends along the northern slope of Crni Vrh. The run also allows night skiing. There are also three smaller ski runs up to 300 metres in length. Beginners may want to use the services of ski instructors. The Divčibare ravine has a number of fine cross-country ski runs, while equipment may be rented from any of the area’s hotels and holiday resorts.

Apart from the surrounding peaks and gentle passes criss-crossed with hiking paths, snow-clad forests add to the winter magic of Divčabare. The forests’ mostly coniferous trees are dominated in its centre by mountain pines, which rarely grow below an altitude of 2,000 metres. These pines include the white and dark variety, firs, spruce, and to a lesser degree – juniper. Dense forests alternate with wide meadows that become cheerfully colourful when spring flowers bloom. As soon as the snow begins to melt, heralding the imminent blooming of daffodils, daphne, heather and saffron begin to sprout. In summertime, the meadows are adorned with yellow gentian, a rare medicinal plant with beautiful yellow flowers, which is also used to prepare a famous Serbian home-made brandy called lincura.

Divčibare abounds in water, springs and streams that flow into the Kolubara and Zapadna Morava rivers. The most beautiful rivers in the area include the Manastirica, Crna Kamenica and Crna Reka. Manastirica’s source is at Kraljev Sto, located some 1,100 metres above sea level. In its early stages, this small and rapid mountain stream creates a charming 20 metre waterfall between the mountain peaks Veliko Brdo and Orlovac. The Crna Kamenica River collects water from several springs, and flows through a pine-clad gorge where it forms a number of rapids and cascades. It flows through the Velika Pleć natural reserve, creating a majestic waterfall called Vražji Vir. The waters of Crna Reka River flow over nearly black pebbles that lend it its name – the Black River. It is adorned with many cascades, whirlpools and a series of minor waterfalls, each between five and ten metres tall.

Of the numerous springs, Žujan and Studenac are the most interesting. Žujan is located on a spacious swampy meadow, while the water from Studenac is so cold that it freezes one’s teeth. The crack from which it also exudes cold air, and therefore geologists believe a system of caves extends behind the spring, but this theory still needs to be explored.

Tours are organised from Divčibare to the nearby city of Valjevo, to the Pustinja Monastery and the Petnica research/recreational centre. Tourists may also want to visit the Church of Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God, and the village of Brankovina, to sample healthy food.

Accommodations at Divčibare are available in several hotels, while rest houses and children’s camps are also available, as are private homes for a comfortable stay.