"Franks' Mountain" was once a Pannonian Sea island: 5 reasons why Fruska Gora is special

The Fruska Gora National Park is located about a hundred kilometers from Belgrade, near Novi Sad. It was the first national park declared in Serbia.

The highest peak of the mountain after which the national park was named is Crveni Cot at 539 meters above sea level.

This mountain was named after the Franks, the first Germanic tribe from which King Charlemagne came. That is why even today one can often hear that Fruska Gora is actually "the Franks' Mountain."

Tens of millions of years ago, what is now one of the most popular picnic areas in our country was actually an island in the Pannonian Sea. When the sea dried up, a 75-kilometer-long ridge "broke" the geographical monotony of the Pannonian Plain.

The popular mountain has been a location that tourists like to go to for decades. The richness of flora and fauna is just one of the reasons why Fruska Gora is on the map of true nature lovers. Everyone who decides to go to this mountain has their reasons, and we single out the five most common ones.

1. Hiking

Hiking trails lead through meadows and deciduous woods and are well marked. A characteristic of the Fruska Gora marking is a red heart in a white circle - if you follow those, you will not get lost, and every time you see this mark, it is certain that it will also warm your heart.

Some trails are ideal for beginners, but there are also those with more demanding ascents.

2. Picnic areas

Zmajevac, Strazilovo, Iriski Venac, Lipovaca, Brankovac, Popovica and Letenka are just some of the picnic areas on Fruska Gora. Here you can spend a day off, a weekend or even a vacation if you don't care to go to the seaside or some very high mountain.

3. Cycling

Because of its natural beauty and forest paths, as well as the abundance of oxygen, Fruska Gora is an ideal route for cyclists.

4. Lakes

There are 16 lakes in the area where the Pannonian Sea used to be. These are artificial reservoirs, most of which are suitable for sport fishing.

Going to a lake and resisting the urge to swim in it is a great temptation that many succumb to, despite the fact that the lakes here are mostly not intended for swimming. Still, it is wonderful to just sit on the shore and look at the water.

5. Monasteries

Jazak, Kuvezdin, Krusedol, Staro Hopovo, Sisatovac, Mala Remeta, Novo Hopovo... There are 16 Serbian Orthodox Church monasteries, endowments of Serbia's ruling families.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Ona.rs)