Nature Monument Lazar's Canyon

Nature Monument "Lazar's Canyon"

Lazar's Canyon, part of eastern Kučaj, carved into the limestone of the Dubašnička Plateau, north from Makljenik. Within the basin of Lazar's River, this canyon is joined by the more shallow and smaller Canyons of the Mikuljska and Pojenska Rivers, as well as by the Demizlaka Canyon. Lazar's Canyon is one of the most impassable canyons in Serbia. It is 4.5 km long, 350 m deep (when compared with the Dubašnička Plateau) and 500 m in direction Malinik and it is 4 m wide at its narrowest point.

Nature Monument "Lazar's Canyon" (proclaimed in 2000, are 1,755 ha) is characterized by a unique combination of limestone canyon valleys of impressive dimensions and distinct morphological traits, numerous caves of great significance, interesting phenomena and processes of karst water slow, exceptional floristic and phytocoenological diversity, rich and diverse animal life and outstanding landscape variety and beauty.

Lazar's Canyon is one of the rare habitats of the Crimeau pine and the chamois is found, as well as many other autochthonous animal species. The area under the name "Zlotska Ravine" is included in the List of important ornithological areas in Europe. The flora of Lazar's Canyon distinguishes itself by exceptional richness and diversity, as well as by a high rate of endemism and sub-endemism. About 80 tree species and about 20% of Serbia's flora grow in this area.

According to more attributes of its morphology, Lazar's Canyon represents a unique and rare phenomenon of alluvial erosion and other geomorphological processes. With particular regard one should mention Lazar's Cave (which is a genuine rarity considering its position and canal length, origination, archaeological and palantological findings, characteristics of herpetofauna and other animal life forms, and its 100-year presence in science) and Vernjikica Cave (distinguished by its position and age, dimensions of canals and cave chambers, richness and variety of crystal ornaments, which all make it unique and one of the most beautiful and valuable caves in Serbia).

Lazar's Cave was named after Knez Lazar. After the Kosovo Battle, fleeing from the Turks, some remaining soldiers found their shelter in the cave. They lived there for a while, hunted in the surroundings and fed themselves on their prey, which is confirmed by animal bones scattered all over the cave. There is also another story saying that the cave was named after certain Lazar who used it is a hiding place from the Tartars or Turks. In Turksish times, the cave was walled up to prevent brigands and outlaws from hiding away.

SE "Srbijašume", FE "Timočke šume" Boljevac, FA "Bor" manages Nature Monument "Lazar's Canyon".