Golija – Studenica Biosphere Reserve

Golija is one of the most beautiful and forest-rich mountains in Serbia. It is located 40 km southwest of Ivanjica and offers a wide variety of holiday and leisure options in almost untouched nature. The highest peak is Jankov Kamen, at 1833 m.

Since 2001, Golija mountain has been under state protection as the Golija Nature Park, which was placed in category I as a natural resource of exceptional importance. Because of the exceptionally well-preserved natural environment, but also because of its cultural resources, the committee of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve Programme set up the Golija – Studenica Biosphere Reserve within the Golija Nature Park.

The Golijska Reka mountain lodge lies 1408 m above sea-level and has small sports fields and tennis courts. Hiking up to the Jankov Kamen and Novića Brda peaks, as well as the 3 km-long marked keep-fit circuit, is of special interest. Golija mountain is also natural wolf habitat. In early spring, the mountain is crowded with people collecting herbs. There are more than 100 herb species on Golija. In terms of the protection of the maple and its habitats, it is extremely important to say that this species has survived the ice age and that it has been preserved in its original form. Despite its exploitation, Golija has remained rich in forest so that in some areas, trees up to 40 meters tall can be found

In Odvraćenica, 31 km from Novi Pazar, the Golija hotel stands on the site of a former mountain lodge. Golija’s slopes are ideal for skiing because of the very snowy winters, and guests have the use of three ski slopes and two ski-lifts.

The biosphere reserve includes the Studenica Monastery, which is a cultural World Heritage site and a popular tourist attraction.It was established in the late 12th century by Stefan Nemanja.The monastery contains the remains of the first Serbian kings, the remains and the coffin of Stefan Prvovencani. This is where St Sava Nemanjic, the founder's youngest son, wrote the first literary work in the Serbian language and founded the Serbian Orthodox Church, which was separate from that of Byzantium.