Zlatibor Mountain

Zlatibor is the name given to the Dinaric mountain range in southwest Serbia, 55 km long and 22 km wide and a region that covers an area of 1015 square km, rather than a particular place. Zlatibor tourist center of Kraljeve Vode /previously Patrizanske Vode/ is located in the heart of the Zlatibor tourist center area and is often wrongly referred to simply as Zlatibor – although it covers much larger area. Zlatibor is mountain of “golden pines”, with the highest peak of Tornik (1496 meters), 200 km away from Belgrade, 230 km north of Podgorica /capital of Montenegro/ and 175 km east of Sarajevo /capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina/. Zlatibor corresponds to the area west of Uzice and extends as far as the Bosnia and Herzegovina border and to the south nearly to Nova Varos, covering the territory between rivers of Susica and Uvac and features wider spatial meaning.

The average altitude of the Zlatibor region is around 1000 meters above sea level and enjoys pleasant mountain climate with plenty of sunny days, but also lots of snow in winter months. The Crni Rzav River springs at the foot of the Cigota mountain peak and supplies the artificial lake of Ribnica /Ribnicko jezero/, which provides drinking water for the whole area of Zlatibor. Besides the Crni Rzav River, other rivers of Zlatibor are the Uvac Rier and the Beli Rzav /White Rzav River/. Panorama of Zlatibor from the Tornik peak where the Gold gondola takes visitors and skiers /9 km length, 530 meters level difference, 1000 skiers per hour/ provides real enjoyment for eyes and soul, making Zlatibor natural beauties and skiing easily accessible /some 25 minutes of ride/.

The entire area of present Zlatibor was part of the Medieval Rujno district, as the administrative region of the Medieval Raška. The name of Rujno comes from a tiny plant called “ruj” which was used for coloring of leather, that, when sueded, was successfully exported to Dubrovnik, and nowadays this plant could be found in villages of Semegnjevo, Stubal and Uvac. The name of Zlatibor is in use since the 18th century and from the mid 19th century it is found in official documents.

Zlatibor Mountain and area enjoys a sunny, sub-alpine climate bit with about 100 snowy days a year, which enable skiing in Zlatibor between November and March. The region of Zlatibor Mountain is equally popular for summer vacations, especially during July and August when numerous tourists come here to walk, relax and breathe the cool mountain air. Fresh and dry air, low air pressure and well-known Wind Rose that successfully melt opposed air flows of mountainous and Mediterranean air that become here healing factor are the premium beneficial features of Zlatibor Mountain for the vacations throughout the year. Medicinal researches proved that the Zlatibor Mountain area is very suitable fur curing various illnesses – lung diseases, anemia, neurasthenia, heart disorders, thyroid gland disorders, and keeps its long tradition of celebrity destination since the middle of the 17th century, successfully providing its guests healing of body and soul.

Zlatibor is vast rolling plateau and region of high mountains, pine forest and alpine meadows which is the best winter tourist resort of Serbia, thanks to its beautiful nature and variety of accommodation facilities and convenient and beneficial climate. Zlatibor is wealthy in speleological natural features /total of 98 caves and 44 pits/ with lots of beautiful waterfalls and springs. The Stopica pecina Cave and The Potpec pecina Cave are the largest and best known caves of the Zlatibor area, while the Gostilje Waterfall ranks among the most beautiful and the highest waterfalls in Serbia. Surrounding villages of Zlatibor are ideal for vacations and attendance to some of numerous local manifestations and colorful festivals. Best tourist sites are included in full-day and half-day excursions from Zlatibor and multi-day tour packages : Stopića pećina Cave, Potpec pećina Cave, Waterfall in Gostilje village, Open Air “Old Village” Museum in Sirogojno, Uvac and Dubrava Monasteries, log churches in the villages of Jablanica and Dobroselica, art galleries in Borova Glava, Trnava and Sljivovica villages, birth houses of Dimitrije Tucovic and Sava Jovanovic Sirogojno, observation points of Tornik and Cigota mountain peaks and multi-days intense walking tour packages through West Serbia.