Uvac and the Ice cave
The Uvac River in Serbia, which flows between the mountains Zlatibor and Zlatar, forms the southern border of the mountain Zlatibor, ie the northern border of the mountain Zlatar. The canyon of the river Uvac is widely known and because of the exciting meanders we often call it "Serbian Colorado".
Uvac springs southeast of Jadovik, while it comes to Zlatar near the village of Ojkovica, at the place where the tributary Tisovica joins it. It continues along with the villages of Negbina, Burađa, Sjenište, and Jablanica, receiving numerous tributaries. Some of the important tributaries of Uvac are Šupljica (it flows near the village of Negbine), Rasnički Potok, and Dobroselički and Šaranski Potok (they flow into the village of Dobroselica).
The inaccessible canyons of Uvac were an ideal home for many monasteries. It was their inaccessibility that enabled them to preserve it. There is a belief that today's, renovated Uvac monastery was built on the site of the legendary Janja monastery. The Janja Monastery is sung in the folk song "Milos in Latin" and is known as one of the most important endowments of Namanjic.
Uvac flows into the Lim River and represents its most important tributary. In its last few kilometers, in the municipalities of Priboj and Rudo, the Uvac River forms a natural border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once upon a time, Uvac formed the border between Serbia and Turkey. During the time of Miloš Obrenović, "uduti" (tribal border guards) were placed there, which have remained in some Herzegovinian and Montenegrin villages to this day.
Interesting facts about Uvac
You can reach the most attractive parts of "Serbian Colorado" on the road from Sjenica to Ivanjica. The imposing meanders of the Uvac River were created by vertical river erosion. Once upon a time, the bed of the river Uvac was at a higher altitude than it is today. Accelerated vertical erosion caused the lowering of the riverbed, and there was no time to correct it with water. In that way, the river broke through only the softest parts of the soil, creating a canyon as we know it today.
The attractive meanders of the Uvac River are the natural habitat of the Griffon Vulture. Griffon vultures are graceful birds, over 1 m high with a wingspan of up to 280 cm. Only 30 years ago, they were considered an extremely endangered species, when only 7 individuals were identified on Uvac. Over time, with the provision of protection and supplementation, the population of vultures increases. Today, if you decide to descend the meanders of Uvac, you will be able to see them in free flight cruising the sky above you! There is also a vulture feeder near the dam, and it looks especially impressive when the rangers bring food.
While visiting Uvac you should not forget the hill Molitva. The hill Molitva is located on the right bank of Uvac and offers the best viewpoints. A very beautiful belvedere stretches from the "Girl's Rock". It is an interesting romantic-tragic story, after which this rock formations were named. Namely, some 150 years ago, the girl's parents did not allow her to see her lover. Forbidden love, forced the girl to take her own life by jumping from that very rock.
Uvac cave systems and the Ice cave
Near Jerina's town, in the middle of the upper canyon, there is an impressive cave system of the river Uvac. The whole system consists of cave halls and passes in a total length of about 6 km. Cave systems are available without special equipment (only good light is needed), so you can walk through them on foot.
One of the most attractive cave systems is the Ušački cave system and within it the Ice Cave. The Ušačka cave system is the largest cave system in the whole of Serbia. The Ice Cave itself is about 2.5 km long, and legend has it that it got its name from the unusual temperature that does not skip the eighth division in summer or winter.
photo source: Tijanna123/Wikipedia
At approximately 100m from the Ušačka cave, the main channel of the Ice Cave stretches. The cave, as we have already said, with all its decorations resembles a real yard. High pillars, draperies, and hanging decorations make your stay in this cave very interesting. Long draperies and saliva reach a height of up to 10m, and below one there is a clear lake. The cave rooms are interconnected by steep canals.
You can only reach the ice cave by water. Fortunately, organized visits to the cave with transportation in both directions are provided.
We went kayaking through the Serbian Colorado. Check out our reportage here
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