Bela Crkva lakes, meer in Servië
Bela Crkva lakes are a group of six larger and several smaller lakes near the town of Bela Crkva in Serbia, formed by gravel extraction. The largest lake sits close to the town and has paved beaches and walkways, while others such as Vracevgaj offer campsites and pebbly shores, and a few smaller ones are used mainly for fishing.
Gravel extraction in this area began in 1904, and the deep pits left behind slowly filled with rainwater and groundwater to form the lakes seen today. After World War Two, machines replaced hand labor and horses, and the extracted gravel was used for road building and river embankment work.
The name of the lakes comes from a small white church that stands on an island in the main lake, visible from the shore. For many locals, the lakes are a regular summer gathering spot, used for swimming, socializing, and outdoor meals along the water.
The lakes are easy to reach by car or public transport, and the main beaches have parking areas nearby. Summer is the busiest time, so visiting outside the peak season means fewer people along the shores and easier access to the water.
In 1957, a catfish weighing around 70 kilograms (about 150 pounds) was caught in the main lake, and another large specimen was reported in 1988. Since then, an annual fishing tournament called Hunt on Besi has been held, where anglers compete to catch this fish that has since grown even larger.
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