Bor | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Bor Lake

The artificial lake located about fifteen kilometers from Bor was formed in 1959 by damming the Brestovacka River for the needs of Bor's mines. The lake covers an area of about 30 hectares, with a maximum depth of up to 48 meters. It is situated at an altitude of about 450 meters. From its establishment to the present day, Bor Lake has been a favorite excursion spot not only for the locals but also for the entire region. Although there is no significant tourist offer around the lake, except for hotels and a campsite, the lake attracts a large number of visitors during the summer season. There are numerous wild and several organized beaches around the lake, including one sandy beach. Bor Lake is an excellent destination for a short vacation during the warm summer days, and it is often visited by athletes who come here for training.

Brestovac Spa

Just a ten-minute drive from Bor, there is one of the oldest developed spas in Serbia. Although the municipality of Bor is abundant in thermal mineral springs, Brestovac Spa is the only one developed for visits and treatment. The healing springs have been known since Roman times, and the oldest buildings in the spa were constructed during the reign of Prince Milos Obrenovic. The Residence of Prince Milos (1837), the Palace of Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic (1856), the summer residence of King Petar I, and the Turkish hamam (bath) are the most significant buildings in the spa and are under state protection. Brestovac Spa is also home to the restaurant "Srpska kruna", one of the oldest hospitality establishments in Serbian spas. There are ten springs with temperatures ranging from 32-40° C, whose waters are beneficial for bone, muscle, and skin conditions.

Surface Mine of RTB Bor

When observing the satellite image of Bor, the surface pit of the mining and metallurgical basin is the first noticeable feature. These mines are located in the immediate vicinity of the city center, and the city of Bor itself was formed on its outskirts. The rich mineral resources in the vicinity of Bor have resulted from complex geological and tectonic events in the past. The first traces of copper, gold, and iron mining date back to 4500 BC, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the first copper mine was established, marking the beginning of modern mining in Bor. The surface pit that has been exploited for a whole century is now a popular tourist attraction in Bor. Visitors have the opportunity to observe this "lunar" relief sa from the Borski kop viewpoint which provides the most beautiful view.

Mining and Metallurgy Museum

In direct connection with the rich history of mining in these regions, there is the Bor Mining and Metallurgy Museum, which showcases the development of mining from prehistory to the early 20th century. It was founded in 1961 and has archaeological, ethnological, historical, artistic, technical, and mineralogical collections, as well as a collection of around 20,000 exhibits. Visitors to the museum can explore the history of mining and the development of metallurgy in Serbia, as well as the material and spiritual culture of the Vlach people in the municipality of Bor and its surroundings.

Bor Zoo

One of the youngest zoos in Serbia, Bor Zoo, was established in 2011. It covers an area of 2 hectares and is located near the city center. Bor Zoo is built in a former forest, which is largely preserved and provides a beautiful natural environment for such a park. The zoo is home to 60 species of animals and around 100 individuals. The most famous and probably the most attractive resident of the zoo is the white lion Dušan, who belongs to the third generation of white lions in Serbia.

Đorđe Vajfert Monument

Đorđe Vajfert, a prominent Serbian industrialist, opened the first copper mine in Bor in 1903, marking the rapid development of the city. Before the exploitation of copper ore, Bor had only 700 inhabitants and around 150 houses. Vajfert owned the concession for opening the mine and financed exploratory works that lasted for several years. After successful exploration and the start of mining, he sold the concession to the French, who not only formed the mine but also initiated the construction of the city. As one of the most deserving individuals for the development of Bor, Đorđe Vajfert deserved a monument in the center of this town, which was erected in 2011.

Lazar's Canyon Nature Monument

Lazar's Canyon is the deepest canyon in Eastern Serbia and one of the longest canyons in the country. It stretches for about 7.5 km, with a maximum depth of 265 m. In some sections, the canyon narrows to just three meters. It is located near the village of Zlot and is carved into the massif of the South Kučaj Mountains. The canyon was formed by the cutting of the Lazareva River, which is formed by several Kučaj mountain rivers such as Valja de Mižlok, Valja Mikulj, and Vejska River. All of these rivers also have canyon valleys, but of considerably smaller dimensions. On the northern side of Lazar's Canyon, there is the Dubašnica karst surface, known for its numerous deep pits, and at the very end of the canyon is the longest cave in Serbia - Lazareva Cave.

The Zlot Caves represent a system of caves on the northern side of Lazarev Canyon, carved into the Dubašnica karst surface.

LAZAR'S CAVE

The most significant of them is Lazar's Cave, which is also the longest cave in Serbia. The total length of all the measured channels so far is 12,175 meters. The cave was arranged for tourism as early as 1953, and the path accessible to visitors is about 900 m long. It was long believed that the cave was not very long, but in the last twenty years, numerous speleological explorations have been conducted, revealing new cave channels. At the entrance to the cave, there is an archaeological site where three horizons (copper, iron, and bronze) were discovered.

VERNJIKICA

The Vernjikica Cave is located 150 m above the bed of the Lazar's River and is about 1.5 km away from Lazar's Cave. It is reached by a walking path. Its name comes from the Vlach word "var," which means limestone. The length of Vernjikica is about one kilometer, and it contains a large number of cave formations such as stalagmites, stalactites, and columns. It is one of the most beautiful and richest caves in Serbia. It used to be developed for tourism and accessible for visits, but that is officially not possible today.

Both caves, along with Lazar's Canyon, are protected as natural monuments. In addition to Lazareva Cave and Vernjikica, there are also Hajdučica (723 m), Vodena Cave (180 m), Ljubinkova Cave (80 m), and one of the deepest pits in Serbia - Gaura Frđenfur (-276 m) in the immediate vicinity.

Crni Vrh (Black Peak)

The mountain that dominates above Bor Lake, although there are several mountains with the same name in Serbia, is actually the most famous one. It is located about thirty kilometers away from Bor, on the road between Bor and Žagubica. The highest peak of the mountain is 1,043 meters high, and due to its specific geographical position, it is characterized by heavy snowfall during winter. It is precisely this fact that contributed to the idea of building a ski resort and a luxury winter tourist complex that, unfortunately, was never completed. On Crni Vrh, there are two ski slopes, 1,550 and 800 meters long, with a two-seater cable car leading to the top. Although not developed for tourism, this mountain offers the opportunity for quality time spent in untouched nature.

Borski Stol

Borski Stol is part of the Goli Krš mountain massif located near Bor. It is situated between the limestone mountains of Veliki, Mali Krš, and Deli Jovan. Stol has a characteristic shape with steep cliffs and a flat top, reaching its highest point at 1,156 meters. It is suitable for easy hiking and does not require great agility and fitness. At the foot of the mountain, there is a lake and a mountain lodge, which serve as an excellent base and starting point for the ascent to the summit. From the top of Stol, there is a panoramic view of the Negotin region, Romania, Bulgaria, and a large part of Eastern Serbia.