Belgrade Islands: 12 Green Oases on Water (Part 2) | Natural Heritage of Serbia

In the first part of the story about Belgrade's islands, we wrote about the islands located within the city itself, urban oases relatively easily accessible from almost all parts of the capital. However, except for Ada Ciganlija as the most popular city getaway and to some extent Veliko Ratno Ostrvo (due to Lido), the remaining "urban" islands are less developed and accessible, and therefore less known and popular.

Few will know that within the territory of the City of Belgrade, or at least adjacent to its administrative border, there are six more typical river islands, lesser-known but true natural oases that represent a complete alternative to the usual concept of a weekend nature getaway.

Far enough from the city noise, deserted and inaccessible enough to not be in the spotlight of the majority of the population, these islands are a destination perfect for adventurers and those who find joy and relaxation in silence, fishing, bird chirping, and the sound of river waves... However, there is one important condition - you need to have a boat.

Forkontumac

The island with an unusual name is located about 12 kilometers away from the center of Belgrade, but administratively it belongs to the municipality of Pančevo, which is about 4-5 kilometers away. Situated in the wide riverbed of the Danube, near the point where the Tamiš River joins the Danube, Forkontumac represented a kind of quarantine and a control station in the early 18th century for the passage of people and livestock from the then Ottoman Empire to Austria-Hungary (Vuk Karadžić spent several weeks there in 1813). Today, the island is mostly covered with forests and meadows, with numerous ponds and dead channels - remains of the former canals that cut through the island. The trademark of Forkontumac Island is the weekend settlement of Bela Stena, located on the western "tip" of the island where, similar to Ada Međica, there are about a hundred cabins and huts, as well as a beautiful sandy beach. With a pleasant breeze constantly blowing, Bela Stena is usually the first weekend destination for many people from Pančevo and Belgrade during hot summer days. If you don't have your own boat, you can reach Bela Stena by boat from two directions - Pančevo and the village of Višnjica, and the rest of the island is available for exploration to all adventurers.

Čakljanac and Štefanac

These formerly distinct river islets, separated by a narrow canal of the Danube, now form a unique entity that only exists as a double island - Čakljanac and Štefanac - in the memories of some older residents. A multitude of canals, ponds, and dead channels make this island an authentic landscape that irresistibly resembles, for example, the swampy landscapes of Louisiana, often depicted in numerous Hollywood movies. Together with Forkontumac, Čakljanac and Štefanac form a natural treasure with the common name of Pančevo's Ada and are under state protection. This island has no tourist facilities and can only be visited privately. With an area almost three times larger than Veliko Ratno Ostrvo, Čakljanac is probably the largest and most picturesque river island in Serbia.

Grocka's Ada

Grocka's Ada, opposite the settlement of Grocka, is about thirty kilometers away from the capital and represents one of the significant forested areas within the territory of the City of Belgrade. Although easily accessible from the Grocka marina, this island successfully withstands the "winds" of urbanization and serves as a true oasis for eco-tourists, fishermen, and relaxation in a gentle wilderness and natural environment. Two interesting facts are associated with this island. The first concerns a 150-year-old oak tree that grows on the island, while the second belongs more to the realm of local legends, according to which the island moves downstream by several tens or even hundreds of meters every year.

Sprud Island (Barič Ada)

Sprud Island, or Barička Ada, is located about 20 kilometers away from Belgrade and around 5 kilometers east of Obrenovac, in the immediate vicinity of the confluence of the Kolubara River into the Sava River, whose sediments are primarily responsible for the formation of the island. This untouched natural island is often visited during the summer by the residents of Barič, Obrenovac, and Boljevac, primarily due to its beautiful sandy beach on the western cape of the island and the fact that during low water levels, the channel between the island and the Srem bank of the Sava River can be easily swum across and is suitable for bathing. In addition to swimmers, the island is extremely popular among fishermen. Although relatively easily accessible by boat from both banks of the Sava River, the island has no tourist facilities, which is one of the main reasons for its authentic beauty and lush vegetation.

Two Danube Islets (under the Pupin Bridge)

Two, as yet unnamed, islets are located beneath the Mihajlo Pupin Bridge in Zemun. Based on their age and dimensions, one could say that they belong to the younger river islands, and this is supported by the fact that during high water levels of the Danube, only the treetops protrude from the water. Inaccessible for the most part of the year, these islets certainly arouse curiosity and imagination in adventurers, but they should be approached with a certain degree of caution. At least until they "grow" a bit more.