Suva Planina Mountain
Suva Planina Mountain is a pearl of southeastern Serbia of amazing beauty spreading on 250 square km, between towns of Niška Banja Spa in the northwest and Babušnica in the southeast, with a ridge branching towards Bela Palanka on the north. Suva Planina Mountain is located on one of the worlds’ most famous mountain chains “CATENA MUNDI” – the possible center of the Balkans, 15 km east of Niš. Suva planina Mountain belongs to the most impressive and most breathtaking mountains in Serbia. Total length of Suva Planina Mountain is about 35 km, and width up to 12 km. The main range of the Suva Planina Mountain spreads in direction northwest-southeast. Suva Planina Mountain represents the imposing and gigantic mountain range of the southeast Serbia, which belongs to the southwest part of the Carpathian-Balkan mountain system in the area of municipalities of Niška Banja Spa, Gadžin Han, Bela Palanka, Babušnica and Vlasotince. By its peaks and massive /almost vertical/ sides, the Suva Planina Mountain distinguishes itself from other mountains of this part of Serbia. The northern side of Suva Planina Mountain features steep karst gradients and extremely inaccessible areas which make it one of the wildest mountains in the Balkans.
The highest peaks of Suva Planina Mountain are Trem /1810 meters high/, Sokolov kamen /1523 meters/, Golemo Stražište /1714 meters/ and almost inaccessible Mosor peak which is 985 meters high. Those breathtaking peaks make Suva Planina Mountain one of the most impressive mountain in Serbia and favorite climbers destination. It is assumed that the wide area of Suva Planina Mountain, featuring diversified Eco system and variety of forests makes habitat for about 1300 plants, which make almost half of the floral life of Serbia. High mountain peaks of Suva Planina Mountain protect from wind and cold air penetrations, providing the region of Suva Planina Mt with moderate-continental climatic conditions, which are very suitable for agricultural production – wine growing, cattle breeding and husbandry.
Aromatic and renown medicinal herbs of Sage (Salvia officinalis) and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are successfully grown and processed in Suva Planina area, as they thrive in warm, well-drained soil and full sun growing conditions. Owing to remarkable climate features of the Suva Planina Mountain area and the influence of air-flows from the Aegean Sea, lavender grown here is of special quality (of higher quality than the Dalmatian or French lavender). Sage and Lavender were highly respected by Romans 2000 years ago and used for various medicinal purposes. The Latin name Salvia means to save, while the Latin Officinalis means to cure. Beneficial features of those plants grown on Suva Planina slopes are nowadays successfully used for medical purposes, as well as for natural juices and cheese with herbs production. Among Relict and endemic plants of Suva Planina are Ramonda Serbica and Ramonda Nathaliae species. Variety of plants and animals can be found here as well as wild horses that are one of the Suva Planina mountain’s feature. Suva Planina Mountain is protected nature of various levels of protection and the Special Nature Reserve on the surface of 18.176 hectares, as well as the IBA designated area suitable for bird watching and bird research.
Every middle of August at Vrelo village in Bela Palanka the famous event of “Dani banice” – Days of gibanitza pie is traditional held. This is famous cultural event since it preserved its uniqueness and authenticity of traditional customs. The “Dani banice” Event gathers large number of participants and audience in order to prepare and choose the most tasteful gibanica /pie/ which is usually eaten with yoghurt locally prepared in ceramic pots and delicious beans cooked traditional way.
On the future Corridor 10 highway, after excavations in 2011 of the crossroad and the remains of the ancient Via Militaris road in vicinity of Dimitrovgrad, the team of the Institute of preservation of cultural Monuments from Belgrade have discovered in the area of Bela Palanka three tombs from the first half the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th century, a necropolis from the first half of the 4th century and three structures, that are considered to date from the 4th century. Those finds make significant excavations of the ancient Remesiana archaeological site.
Beautiful Sićevo Canyon/Gorge divides Suva Planina Mountain from nearby Svrljiške planine Mountains. Climbers and adventure hikers just love Suva Planina Mountain !
