Special Nature Reserve Uvac, aire protégée de Serbie
Special Nature Reserve Uvac is a protected area in southwestern Serbia built around the Uvac River and its deep limestone canyon. The river winds through the rock in long, tight curves, flanked by vertical cliffs on both sides.
The reserve was established in 1971, largely to protect the griffon vulture after its numbers had fallen sharply across the region. Since then, the population has grown steadily, making this one of the most important breeding sites for the species on the Balkan Peninsula.
The gorge is one of the few places in Europe where griffon vultures can be seen at close range in the wild. Visitors often spot them circling near the cliff faces in the early morning, especially around the nesting areas along the canyon walls.
Boat tours on the river are the most common way to see the canyon and leave from a visitor center near the water's edge. Spots fill up fast in summer, so arriving early in the day improves your chances of getting a place.
From above, the river's bends form a pattern that looks almost like a mirrored S, making the Uvac one of the more pronounced examples of a meandering river in Europe. This shape formed because the water wore away the soft limestone at different rates over a very long period.
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