Tara National Park - Tara Mountain
Tara Mountain is the oasis of untouched and preserved pure nature and true pristine in western Serbia which belongs to Dinaric Mountains. Tara Mountain is about 50 km long and 20 km wide, with average altitude of 1200 meters with numerous observation points from where spread magic and breathtaking vistas. The highest peak of Tara Mountain is Kozji Rid, 1591 meters high. Tara Mountain is considered one of the most beautifl mountains of Serbia, featuring picturesque landscape covered by bushy larch and deciduous forests and fragrant meadows and fields, with numerous producers of authentic natural products and traditional rural households providing tourist services. The tiny village of Jagoštica is situated on the wonderful slopes of Tara Mt, probably the most inaccessible mountainous village in Serbia. Tara Mountain area was declared in 1981 the Tara National Park of Serbia due to rare herbal and animal and endemic plant species and their preserved communities. Tara National Park is spread on 19.200 hectars of protected land while the forests cover some 13.000 hectars. More than 1000 plant species were identified on Tara Mountain including Serbian spruce - "the Empress of all European endemites". Entire area of Tara National Park includes Tara Mountain, Crni Vrh ( Black peak ), Zvijezda ( Star ), Stolac, magnificent Drina River Canyon with Raca River Canyon and Perucac Lake and surroundings of Bajina Basta. Particularly this part of Tara Mountain, combined with breathtaking Drina River Canyon and several small canyons of tributaries of Drina river, which are also gorgeous, hide some of the most attractive observation points in Serbia. Brown bear, a wild goat and especially local endemite Pancic's Grasshopper have their outstanding place among numerous fauna species of Tara Mountain. Pancic's Spruce has, since its discovery in 1876 provoked grest interest in scientific cincles. The spruce is a relict species originating in the Tertiary when it was broadcasted across extensive ranges in Europe and parts of Asia. Tara Mountain is shelter for over 130 bird species and more than 60 animal species, amongst them is the largest population in Serbia of Brown Bear. 37 fish species inhabit the crystal-clear waters of the National Park. The Tara National Park with the Drina River Canyon is part of the Tentative List in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List. Two archaeological sites of the Medieval tombstones, stećci, Mramorje and Bagruša, dating possibly from the 14th and the 15th century are located in the Tara National Park. In Tara National Park there are numerous possibilities for true relief and joyful and invigorating vacations and memorable team-building programs, as there are excellent mountaineering and relaxing terrains and various well-organized facilities and conditions for outdoor activities and sports.
