NAME AND TYPE OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREA
Special Nature Reserve "Klisura reke Mileševke" (Mileševka river gorge)
NATIONAL CATEGORY
Protection category Ι – protected area of international, national, that is, of exceptional importance
AREA
1.244,14 ha
PROTECTION REGIMES
Protection degree I, II and III
MUNICIPALITY
Prijepolje
LEGAL PROTECTION IN THE PAST
- Regional Natural Park " Mileševka river gorge" - Decision of the Municipality Assembly of Prijepolje, No. 03-352-6/76 of May 11th, 1976
- Regional Natural Park "Mileševka river gorge" - Decision on the amendment to the Decision on the protection of a part of the natural area where the gorge known as the "Mileševka river gorge" is situated, of September 22nd, 1980
- Strict Natural Reserve "Ravnište" - Decision of the Municipality Assembly of Prijepolje, No. 03-352-5/76, of May 11th, 1976
LEGAL ACT ON PROTECTION
Decree on the designation of the Special Nature Reserve "Mileševka river gorge" ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 104/2014)
MANAGING ENTITY
PE "Srbijašume"
SHORT DESCRIPTION (THE MAIN NATURAL AND CREATED VALUES)
The Mileševka river formed a 24-km long limestone gorge between the Zlatar and Jadovnik mountain massifs. This gorge reaches a depth of up to 1230 m, and in some places narrows to only 4 m. Specific geographical position, geological, geomorphological and climatic characteristics have made the Mileševka gorge one of the most interesting areas in Serbia in terms of flora and phytogenetics.
Here, in the form of a perfect mosaic, rich endemorelic communities of forests, rocks and screes have been developed. The remarkable richness of flora is explained by the conserved ecosystems and the refugial character of habitats. That the Mileševka gorge is the center of diversity in western and southwestern Serbia is confirmed by the existence of the southernmost isolated site of the endemic - relict "queen" of all conifers - Serbian spruce (Picea omorica). Of the 27 plant communities, the most significant and interesting are the mixed forests of Serbian spruce (Picea omorica), Moesian beech (Fagus moesiaca), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), European hop-hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), European black pine (Pinus nigra) and common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Of special aesthetic value are the gorge’s inaccessible cliffs with conserved and very old specimens of European black pine of impressive dimensions and umbrella-shaped tree crowns. The presence of the breeding colony of griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in this area represents one of the most significant ornithological values of the area, especially considering the endangered status of this species in Serbia. This is the second largest griffon vulture colony in Serbia and one of the largest in the Balkans. Its protection is of national and international importance.
In addition to the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus),here have also been recorded: golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), corn crake (Crex crex), wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) and other nationally and globally protected species.
The Mileševka river gorge is a refugium for many mammalian species and a convenient "corridor" for roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), brown bear (Ursus arctos) and otter (Lutra lutra).
At the entrance to the gorge is the Mileševa Monastery, founded by King Vladislav Nemanjić between 1219 and 1237. Until 1594, the relics of Saint Sava, the most famous Serbian saint, were buried in Mileševa. The monastery is also widely known for its famous fresco composition, the Mileševa White Angel. 2 km from the monastery is the medieval town of Mileševac, situated on top of a steep and rocky limestone massif at the end of the gorge. The construction period of Mileševac is not well known, but its occurrence is certainly related to the defense of the Mileševa Monastery.
Special Nature Reserve "Klisura reke Mileševke" (Mileševka river gorge)
NATIONAL CATEGORY
Protection category Ι – protected area of international, national, that is, of exceptional importance
AREA
1.244,14 ha
PROTECTION REGIMES
Protection degree I, II and III
MUNICIPALITY
Prijepolje
LEGAL PROTECTION IN THE PAST
- Regional Natural Park " Mileševka river gorge" - Decision of the Municipality Assembly of Prijepolje, No. 03-352-6/76 of May 11th, 1976
- Regional Natural Park "Mileševka river gorge" - Decision on the amendment to the Decision on the protection of a part of the natural area where the gorge known as the "Mileševka river gorge" is situated, of September 22nd, 1980
- Strict Natural Reserve "Ravnište" - Decision of the Municipality Assembly of Prijepolje, No. 03-352-5/76, of May 11th, 1976
LEGAL ACT ON PROTECTION
Decree on the designation of the Special Nature Reserve "Mileševka river gorge" ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 104/2014)
MANAGING ENTITY
PE "Srbijašume"
SHORT DESCRIPTION (THE MAIN NATURAL AND CREATED VALUES)
The Mileševka river formed a 24-km long limestone gorge between the Zlatar and Jadovnik mountain massifs. This gorge reaches a depth of up to 1230 m, and in some places narrows to only 4 m. Specific geographical position, geological, geomorphological and climatic characteristics have made the Mileševka gorge one of the most interesting areas in Serbia in terms of flora and phytogenetics.
Here, in the form of a perfect mosaic, rich endemorelic communities of forests, rocks and screes have been developed. The remarkable richness of flora is explained by the conserved ecosystems and the refugial character of habitats. That the Mileševka gorge is the center of diversity in western and southwestern Serbia is confirmed by the existence of the southernmost isolated site of the endemic - relict "queen" of all conifers - Serbian spruce (Picea omorica). Of the 27 plant communities, the most significant and interesting are the mixed forests of Serbian spruce (Picea omorica), Moesian beech (Fagus moesiaca), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), European hop-hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), European black pine (Pinus nigra) and common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Of special aesthetic value are the gorge’s inaccessible cliffs with conserved and very old specimens of European black pine of impressive dimensions and umbrella-shaped tree crowns. The presence of the breeding colony of griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in this area represents one of the most significant ornithological values of the area, especially considering the endangered status of this species in Serbia. This is the second largest griffon vulture colony in Serbia and one of the largest in the Balkans. Its protection is of national and international importance.
In addition to the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus),here have also been recorded: golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), corn crake (Crex crex), wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) and other nationally and globally protected species.
The Mileševka river gorge is a refugium for many mammalian species and a convenient "corridor" for roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), brown bear (Ursus arctos) and otter (Lutra lutra).
At the entrance to the gorge is the Mileševa Monastery, founded by King Vladislav Nemanjić between 1219 and 1237. Until 1594, the relics of Saint Sava, the most famous Serbian saint, were buried in Mileševa. The monastery is also widely known for its famous fresco composition, the Mileševa White Angel. 2 km from the monastery is the medieval town of Mileševac, situated on top of a steep and rocky limestone massif at the end of the gorge. The construction period of Mileševac is not well known, but its occurrence is certainly related to the defense of the Mileševa Monastery.
