The Beech Kiss | Natural Heritage of Serbia

When heading from Vrnjačka Banja towards Goč, on a dirt road passing through the village of Gračac, pierced through dense and tall beech forest, at the tenth kilometer you come across a striking and very unusual beech tree, known to locals as the "beech kiss".

This is an extremely rare natural phenomenon and a natural monument called the Beech Window. It involves three tall beech trees that touch each other and grow together in a highly attractive and extraordinary way, continuing their growth as a single tree, reaching a height of 32 meters and a circumference of 4.5 meters.

Near the ground, three trunks clearly stand out as individual trees. While two of them have partially fused along their entire length and don't seem unusual at first glance, the third tree is a real attraction as it suddenly arches and merges into the other two at a height of about 15 meters, creating a natural geological phenomenon similar to bridges in rocks - a window or an arch. Such occurrence is no longer registered anywhere else in Serbia and is also rare in the rest of the world.

The exact formation process of this unusual natural phenomenon still cannot be determined with certainty. The "beech kiss" is legally protected, which limits research on the trees and roots due to the risk of damage.

The age of these trees is estimated to be around 200 years, but the difference in their thickness suggests that they may not be from the same "generation," which potentially further complicates the explanation of their origin.

Regardless, this unique natural monument, although hidden in a dense beech forest, attracts attention and intrigues every passerby with its "acrobatics."

Therefore, if you find yourself nearby, it is highly recommended to witness the uniqueness of this tree hidden on the northern slopes of Goč in person.