Floating Islands of Vlasina Lake | Natural Heritage of Serbia

Vlasina Lake is the largest artificial lake in Serbia. Situated at an altitude of 1,213 meters, in an idyllic setting enhanced by the surrounding hills and mountains (Gramada, Vardenik, Čemernik, and Milevska Mountain), this lake is probably the greatest natural attraction in this part of Serbia.

It was created in the mid-20th century by building a dam and hydroelectric power plant on the Vrla River. Emphasis is on the word "created" because the process of filling the lake took several years to reach its current dimensions - an area of about 16 square kilometers and a depth of up to 35 meters.

Prior to the construction of the dam, Vlasina Lake was a large swamp, intersected by streams and rivers flowing from the mentioned mountains and converging here. Deposition of river sediment, moss peat, and plant remains over thousands of years created the largest peat bog in the Balkans at this location, and the area was known as Vlasinska tresava or Vlasinsko blato (Vlasina Marsh or Vlasina Mud) before the dam was built. Few witnesses recall that quicksand occasionally appeared in Vlasinsko blato, causing horses, sheep, and cattle that came here to drink to sometimes disappear. Local legends even say that not so long ago, during World War I, an entire cavalry regiment of the enemy Bulgarian army vanished in the living quicksand of Vlasinska tresava.

Thick layers of peat are the reason for an unusual and very rare phenomenon associated with Vlasina Lake. When the lake basin was filled in the early 1950s, relatively large pieces of peat broke off from the lake bottom under the pressure of incoming water and began floating on the water's surface. Peat, as a lightweight type of soil consisting of decomposed mosses and grass, literally formed floating islands, which, even today, under special conditions, albeit very slowly, travel across the lake's surface. Initially, these islands covered one-third of the lake and were a seemingly inexplicable attraction.

Over time, most of these islands returned to the lake bottom, attached to the shore, or merged together, so today we have "only" two islands in Vlasina Lake, called Stratorija and Dugi Del. Vegetation, and even trees, have developed on these islands over the years, significantly slowing down their movement. However, in recent years, due to controlled water discharge for the needs of the hydroelectric power plant and lake level reduction, both islands are once again attached to the bottom and not mobile. Whether they will ever set sail again, we cannot know... Nevertheless, this does not diminish the uniqueness of Vlasina Lake and its natural phenomenon that came into existence with "assistance" from humans.

From a nature lover's perspective, the location of Vlasina Lake is almost perfect - it is close enough to all major roads in this part of the country, yet far enough to not be a crowded stopover filled with visitors, noise, and accompanying tourist facilities. It is accessible from Surdulica, Bosilegrad, and Crna Trava, and the Strezimirovci border crossing towards Bulgaria is nearby.

Accommodation facilities for tourists staying multiple days are relatively modest and include two small hotels. However, in recent years, numerous privately owned weekend houses are increasingly being used for tourism purposes, accommodating interested tourists. Additionally, there is a campground adapted for adventurers and campers, located on the edge of a mixed forest, right on the lake's shore.

Activities that tourists on Vlasina typically enjoy include walks around the lake on well-maintained trim trails, organized boat rides and island tours, sports fishing, and for those with an adventurous spirit, hiking along moderately challenging trails to nearby mountain peaks. Swimming in the crystal-clear lake is also a special experience, but due to the high altitude and relatively low water temperature, the swimming season in Vlasina Lake lasts only about 20 days and usually begins at the end of July or the beginning of August.

We hope that these reasons are sufficient to motivate you to visit Vlasina Lake on your way to Greece or any other destination that takes you through this area and personally witness the beauty of this unique natural monument.