Zasavica is a special nature reserve, one of the last authentically preserved wetlands in Serbia and the only location in Serbia where you can find old breeds of domestic animals. This is a place of enchanting beauty, fertile soil and great strength.
These fascinating traits were recognized by thousands of rare, endangered and protected animal and plant species which have been living in Zasavica for past several decades.
Zasavica, the magnificent nature reserve which spreads over 1825 hectares, is located in west-central Serbia, in the southern part of Vojvodina and northern part of Mačva, east from Drina river and south from Sava river. Owing to its fertile soil and a small river Zasavica which flows through these parts, this place has become a home to many unusual and endangered species.
This is one of the only places in the world where you can see preserved wetlands with diverse flora and fauna. Zasavica is a natural phenomenon of great beauty and importance.
1. Miraculous diversity of plant species
This unusually beautiful place is adorned by a great number of rare and protected plant species of which some are more important and interesting: white and yellow water-lily, marsh hedge-nettle, water pineapple, buttercup and sweet flag.
Another interesting thing about this place is that you can see and find some of the rarest and most endangered plant species listed in the Serbia’s Red Book of Endangered Species. The plants that are on the list are: common mare’s tail, water violet, fam ranunculaceae and waterwheel plant which was found only recently (it was thought that it has disappeared from these parts).
Zasavica – Legends and Myths
If the old stories and tales are to be believed, once upon a time giants and dragons used to live here and they gave this land its strength and fertility. Celts used to believe that there were eight locations on Balkans where dragons lived and Zasavica was one of them. It is believed that dragons preserved the nature around them because of their incredible strength. Another interesting fact about this place is that otters started inhabiting it again, after being gone for many years.
Zasavica is the only place in Serbia where this plant can be found and one of the few in Europe. Waterwheel plant is a relict species which usually inhabits warm stagnant water in the tropics. Its reappearance in this nature reserve is quite an attraction.
2. Fascinating Diversity of Animal Life
The uniqueness and beauty of Zasavica is further enriched by the great number of different animal species that live here. Around twenty five fish species have found their home here, the most notable one is Umbra krameri which is on the list of endangered species. This fish is unique because it can survive up to ten hours without water.
Around 180 bird species have found their home in this reservation, the most important ones being the night heron and the spotted crake.
There are also many amphibians, mammals, fungi and invertebrate species.
Zasavica river is clear and unpolluted which made it possible for another unusual animal to find its home here, the European beaver. This endangered species was hunted to near-extinction.
Other animals that inhabit Zasavica are: Podolian cows, mangulica pig, Balkan goat, buffalo, buše (cow breed) and karakačanske ovce (sheep breed).
3. Donkey cheese
Donkey cheese from Zasavica is among the five most expensive dishes in the world. The largest donkey farm in the eastern Europe is located in Zasavica, which is yet another thing that makes this place so special.
There are around 120 donkeys in this reservation and their milk is used to make several different products such as: facial creams, soaps and the famous donkey cheese, it requires twenty five liters of donkey milk to make one kilo of cheese. One kilo of this cheese costs around 1000 euros and it can be found on the menus of the most exclusive restaurants around the world.
If you happen to visit this reservation, don’t miss the opportunity to try čvarci, sausages, mangulica goulash, as well as donkey cheese, kulen and sausages made out of donkey meat.
If you like camping, Zasavica is the ideal place for you. You will get the opportunity see the best works of art that nature has to offer. “Camping Zasavica“ is the name of the peaceful and quiet campsite which is located close to the special nature reserve.
Tourist Ship Umbra
This ship sails through the most beautiful part of Zasavica from Valjevac to Sumar bridge, the tour is seven kilometers long. People who take the tour also get an opportunity to see both swamp birds and other species of forest birds, a sight such as this is not easily forgotten.
How to get to Zasavica Special Nature Reserve?
Zasavica is located around twenty kilometers away from Sremska Mitorovica, which means that it will take around one hour of driving from Belgrade to Zasavica. Just before you arrive to Sremska Mitorivca take a turn which will lead you to Mačva. Around fifty kilometers before you reach the reservation, you’ll start seeing road signs which will help guide your way.
