This lake close to a mountain near Arandjelovac is unique: Water emerald in the heart of Sumadija

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

Less than a hundred kilometers from Belgrade, near Arandjelovac, there are two mountains that have always intrigued scientists.

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It was long believed that Vencac and Bukulja are of volcanic origin, and then a few years ago, Vladica Cvetkovic, a professor at the Faculty of Mining and Geology, who is originally from this area, resolved the prejudices. Both mountains, explained Professor Cvetkovic, were formed 15 million years ago by tectonic movements and are of metamorphic origin.

Both Bukulja and Vencac are low mountains - their peaks do not exceed 696 meters. In the past decades, mountaineers have been happy to do linked tours from the foot and top of one mountain to the foot and top of the other. This tour usually lasted about three and a half hours and was extraordinary for beginners, especially since licensed guides intrigued new hikers with stories about where the marble from Vencac was used, and what secrets Bukulja holds.

And  marble from this mountain near Arandjelovac was used as far away as in the White House! One of the best known buildings in Washington DC is made from marble taken from the the lower of the Arandjelovac mountains, which people from this area are especially proud of. Marble from Vencac was used for the church of St. George in Oplenac, as well as for numerous sculptures located in spas in Serbia.

In addition to the unique marble that made Vencac well known, this mountain, as well as the neighboring Bukulja, are known among nature lovers for their beautifully marked trails that lead through dense beech and oak woods.

A special attraction is the the lake in the Vencac quarry. The emerald color of the water enchants at first sight to the extent that few tourists adhere to a prominently visible rule saying that access to the lake, as well as taking photos in this place - is prohibited.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Ona.rs)