The emerald Gradac River - Valjevo region's treasure: A gift of nature that must be preserved

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

When you take the Ibar highway, you will find the Gradac, once one of the cleanest rivers not only in Serbia, but also in Europe, 100 kilometers from Belgrade and only five kilometers from Valjevo.

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The magnificent Gradac, an emerald-colored river, created a canyon slightly less than 23 kilometers long.

And one thing is more beautiful than the other along its course - the trees that "embrace" the banks, the caves of which there are more than 70, and the incredibly beautiful springs that enchant with both their appearance and sound.

The Gradac is special in many ways, starting with its source at the foot of the Povlen Mountain, the fact that it sinks and then and re-emerges from the bowels of the earth, to the rare quality of water.

On the way to its confluence with the Kolubara, Gradac is "decorated" with mills that bear witness to the centuries-old power of the river, creating an ambiance resembling vintage postcards.

But, like most rivers in Serbia, the "battle" between unscrupulous citizens and lovers of nature, appreciative of our country's treasures, has not bypassed Gradac. Although the Gradac River Canyon is under protection as a natural asset of great importance, there are still those who do not care about that at all, damaging the cleanliness of the river and the beauty of its banks.

On the other hand, numerous volunteers work tirelessly to maintain the banks, aware that their every action is an act of gratitude to nature for the kind of beauty that can hardly be found anywhere else.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Ona.rs)