Tara National Park
The National Park of Tara is home to a great number of relict and endemic species of vegetation, which having survived the glacial age, found refuge on this narrow strip of carbon rich rocks. The queen of all endemics, the noble Picea Omorica, is considered the most beautiful conifer of Europe*. Discovered in 1876, it still provokes great interest in scientific circles baffling botanists by its unusually picky choice of residence.
Alongside more than a thousand types of plants, a couple of hundreds of different kinds of mushrooms, and over a hundred of bird species, the park provides a carefully protected habitat for rich fauna. Amongst other animals, the National Park shelters the endangered Brown Bear, Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon, and chamois goat-antelope.
Inaccessible mountain ridges and hidden valleys have offered a safe haven to the population of Tara. Mostly a favourite hang out of bears, falcons and eagles, it occasionally welcomed men in need of a shelter. A keen explorer will stumble upon archaeological remains of an Early Byzantium fortress, medieval castles and necropolis, and a precious jewel of Serbian cultural heritage - the still living and working monastery of Raca founded back in 13th century by King Dragutin of Serbia.
*according to the UNESCO World Heritage website
