Kosmaj
Encyclopedia
Kosmaj is a mountain south of Belgrade
, the capital of Serbia
. With an elevation of 626 meters, it is the highest point of the entire Belgrade City area and is nicknamed one of two "Belgrade mountains" (the other being the mountain of Avala
).
and Sopot
, with eastern slopes being in the municipality of Grocka
, and northern and north-western extensions in the municipalities of Barajevo
and Voždovac
.
word meaning mountain. Alternative explanations suggest the connection to the ancient mountain-dwelling Slavic pagan deity Kozmaj/Kasmaj, the protector of woods, animals and the cosmos. The mountain has never been known under any other name, until it was forcefully molded by the Romans
into "Casa Maias", house of Maia
, in order to promote worship of their goddess of spring among the locals.
, serpentine, and magmatic rocks. The highest peak is also named Kosmaj. It is a low, island mountain, the second northernmost in Šumadija
region (after Avala). Until 600,000 years ago, when the surrounding low areas were flooded by the inner Pannonian Sea
, the Kosmaj was an island, just as the neighboring mountains (Avala, Fruška Gora
to the north, etc), thus earning its geographical classification. The Kosmaj remains an island mountain as the plateaux around it are low and mostly flat. In the north it extends into the direction of Trešnja, the southernmost extension of the Avala, while in the north-west it extends into Parcanski vis ("Parcani
rising"), 408 meters high ending senction of the Kosmaj, which extends into the woods of Lipovička šuma
.
In Roman period, Kosmaj was an important mining center, but today the mining activities ceased completely. Evidence suggest that the iron ore was extracted even in the pre-Roman period.
The Kosmaj is source of several rivers. Turija river (and several of its tributraries, incluiding Sibnička reka), which springs right below the mountain and flows to the west into the Kolubara River
. Other originate below the Parcanski vis: Lug (or Veliki Lug) which flows to the east into the Kubršnica
, Ralja
also flows to the east into the Jezava, outflow of the Velika Morava
, and Topčiderka which flows to the north, into the urban center of Belgrade.
(23,653 inhabitants by the 2002 census of population) on the south-eastern slopes, other settlements, though numerous, are smaller, barely exceeding 2,500 inhabitants. They include Rogača (1,046), Drlupa (590), Dučina
(736), Sopot (1,752), Ropočevo
(2,363), Nemenikuće
(2,058), Stojnik (642), Babe
(332), Guberevac
(646), Ralja (2,858), Parcani (657) (in the municipality of Sopot), Amerić
(807), Koraćica
(1,924), Velika Ivanča
(1,796), Pružatovac
(835) (in the municipality of Mladenovac), Barajevo (8,325) and Lisović
(1,057) (in the municipality of Barajevo).
(and with forests of Košutnjak
and Topčider
to be added soon), the Kosmaj is a part of the circle of the protected green areas of Belgrade. The Kosmaj remained forested, mostly by the deciduous
(beech
and oak
), and to the lesser extent, coniferous woods. Altogether, 600 plant and 300 fungi species inhabits the mountain, including the endangered larkspur
(Delphinium phissum) which is on the Red List. Cleared areas are mostly used as pastures or are being cultivated as orchards and vineyards. Animals inhabiting the mountain include 50 mammal and 100 bird species, including the more common hares, roes
, pheasants, foxes, partridges and quails but also in Serbia rare, Red Listed corn crake
and 17 newly discovered species of Sesiidae
. Wolves, once living on Kosmaj, are extinct from the mountain.
and woods are a basis for the touristic economy. Latest addition, since the mid 2000s is a modern, vast resort complex of "Babe", near the village of the same name. Hunting tourism is also an opportunity, because the mountain is rich in game. Several monasteries are located in the mountain's downhill: "Tresije" (from the 15th century), "Kasteljan" (in ruins) and "Pavlovac". There is a mineral spa
on the southern slopes, near the village of Koraćica (Koraćička banja). There are two monuments on the top of the mountain, one dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the World War I
, the other to the soldiers of the Yugoslav Partisan "Kosmaj Partisan detachment" from the World War II
.
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, the capital of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. With an elevation of 626 meters, it is the highest point of the entire Belgrade City area and is nicknamed one of two "Belgrade mountains" (the other being the mountain of Avala
Avala
Avala is a mountain in Serbia, overlooking Belgrade. It is situated in the south-eastern corner of the city and provides a great panoramic view to Belgrade, Vojvodina and Šumadija, as the surrounding area on all sides is mostly a lowlands...
).
Location
The Kosmaj, is located 40 kilometers south-east of Belgrade. Entire area of the mountain belongs to the Belgrade City area, majority of it being in the municipalities of MladenovacMladenovac
Mladenovac is a town and municipality located in Serbia at 44.43° North, 20.70° East. Mladenovac is one of Belgrade's 17 municipalities. In 2003 the town had total population of 22,200.-Name:...
and Sopot
Sopot, Serbia
Sopot is a town and municipality in Serbia. It is part of the wider region of Belgrade, located south of Belgrade at , 177.38 m above sea level. Its name is the old Slavic word for spring which is today replaced in Serbian by the word 'извор'.Sopot is near the mountain Kosmaj...
, with eastern slopes being in the municipality of Grocka
Grocka
Grocka is a suburban neighborhood and one of 17 municipalities which constitute the City of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.- Location :...
, and northern and north-western extensions in the municipalities of Barajevo
Barajevo
Barajevo is a suburban settlement and one of 17 municipalities which constitute the City of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.- Settlements :...
and Voždovac
Voždovac
Voždovac is an urban neighborhood and one of 17 municipalities which constitute the City of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.- Location :...
.
Etymology
It is speculated that the mountain was named after the Celtic word cos meaning woods, and maj pre-Indo-EuropeanIndo-European
Indo-European may refer to:* Indo-European languages** Aryan race, a 19th century and early 20th century term for those peoples who are the native speakers of Indo-European languages...
word meaning mountain. Alternative explanations suggest the connection to the ancient mountain-dwelling Slavic pagan deity Kozmaj/Kasmaj, the protector of woods, animals and the cosmos. The mountain has never been known under any other name, until it was forcefully molded by the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
into "Casa Maias", house of Maia
Maia (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Maia is one of the Pleiades and the mother of Hermes. The goddess known as Maia among the Romans may have originated independently, but attracted the myths of Greek Maia because the two figures shared the same name.-Birth:...
, in order to promote worship of their goddess of spring among the locals.
Geography
The mountain is 5.5 kilometers long and built of flyschFlysch
Flysch is a sequence of sedimentary rocks that is deposited in a deep marine facies in the foreland basin of a developing orogen. Flysch is typically deposited during an early stage of the orogenesis. When the orogen evolves the foreland basin becomes shallower and molasse is deposited on top of...
, serpentine, and magmatic rocks. The highest peak is also named Kosmaj. It is a low, island mountain, the second northernmost in Šumadija
Šumadija
Šumadija is a geographical region in Serbia. The area is heavily covered with forests, hence the name...
region (after Avala). Until 600,000 years ago, when the surrounding low areas were flooded by the inner Pannonian Sea
Pannonian Sea
The Pannonian Sea was a shallow ancient sea located in the area today known as the Pannonian Plain in Central Europe. The Pannonian Sea existed during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, when three to four kilometres of marine sediments were deposited in the Pannonian Basin.-History:The Pannonian Sea...
, the Kosmaj was an island, just as the neighboring mountains (Avala, Fruška Gora
Fruška Gora
Fruška Gora is a mountain in north Syrmia. Most part of the territory is located within Vojvodina, Serbia, but a smaller part on its western side overlaps the territory of Croatia...
to the north, etc), thus earning its geographical classification. The Kosmaj remains an island mountain as the plateaux around it are low and mostly flat. In the north it extends into the direction of Trešnja, the southernmost extension of the Avala, while in the north-west it extends into Parcanski vis ("Parcani
Parcani
Parcani is a large commune and village in the Slobozia sub-district of Transnitria, a de facto independent entity within the internationally recognized borders of Moldova. The village has a population of around 10,500, of whom 95% are ethnic Bulgarians . The first Bulgarian colonists arrived in...
rising"), 408 meters high ending senction of the Kosmaj, which extends into the woods of Lipovička šuma
Lipovicka šuma
Lipovička šuma is a forest in the outer, metropolitan area of Belgrade, Serbia. It is located in Belgrade's municipalities of Voždovac and Barajevo .- Location :...
.
In Roman period, Kosmaj was an important mining center, but today the mining activities ceased completely. Evidence suggest that the iron ore was extracted even in the pre-Roman period.
The Kosmaj is source of several rivers. Turija river (and several of its tributraries, incluiding Sibnička reka), which springs right below the mountain and flows to the west into the Kolubara River
Kolubara River
The Kolubara , is the 123 km-long river in western Serbia; it is the eastern tributary to the Sava river.- Origin :...
. Other originate below the Parcanski vis: Lug (or Veliki Lug) which flows to the east into the Kubršnica
Kubršnica
The Kubršnica is a river in Šumadija region of central Serbia, a 42 km-long left and the longest tributary to the Jasenica river....
, Ralja
Ralja
The Ralja is a river in Šumadija region of Serbia, a 51 km-long left tributary to the Jezava, the left arm of the Velika Morava river...
also flows to the east into the Jezava, outflow of the Velika Morava
Velika Morava
The Great Morava is the final section of the Morava , a major river system in Serbia.- Length :...
, and Topčiderka which flows to the north, into the urban center of Belgrade.
Settlements
Except MladenovacMladenovac
Mladenovac is a town and municipality located in Serbia at 44.43° North, 20.70° East. Mladenovac is one of Belgrade's 17 municipalities. In 2003 the town had total population of 22,200.-Name:...
(23,653 inhabitants by the 2002 census of population) on the south-eastern slopes, other settlements, though numerous, are smaller, barely exceeding 2,500 inhabitants. They include Rogača (1,046), Drlupa (590), Dučina
Dučina
Dučina is a village in the municipality of Sopot, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 736 people....
(736), Sopot (1,752), Ropočevo
Ropočevo
Ropočevo is a village in the municipality of Sopot, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 2363 people....
(2,363), Nemenikuće
Nemenikuće
Nemenikuće is a village in the municipality of Sopot, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 2058 people....
(2,058), Stojnik (642), Babe
Babe
Babe is generally a slang term of endearment, but may also refer:-Entertainment:* Babe, the title character of the Dick King-Smith book The Sheep-Pig** Babe , a 1995 Australian film based on the book...
(332), Guberevac
Guberevac
Guberevac is a village in the municipality of Sopot, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 646 people....
(646), Ralja (2,858), Parcani (657) (in the municipality of Sopot), Amerić
Amerić
Amerić is a village situated in Mladenovac municipality in Serbia....
(807), Koraćica
Koraćica
Koraćica is a village situated in Mladenovac municipality in Serbia....
(1,924), Velika Ivanča
Velika Ivanča
Velika Ivanča is a village situated in Mladenovac municipality in Serbia....
(1,796), Pružatovac
Pružatovac
Pružatovac is a village situated in Mladenovac municipality in Serbia....
(835) (in the municipality of Mladenovac), Barajevo (8,325) and Lisović
Lisovic
Lisović is a suburban settlement of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is located in the municipality of Barajevo.This village became known because The Farm is captures here....
(1,057) (in the municipality of Barajevo).
Wildlife
Together with the Avala, the island of Veliko Ratno Ostrvo and the wood of Stepin LugStepin Lug
Stepin Lug or Gaj is a park-wood and, for the most part, non-residential suburban settlement of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is located in Belgrade's municipalities of Voždovac and Zvezdara .- Location :Stepin Lug is located on the south-eastern outskirts of Belgrade...
(and with forests of Košutnjak
Košutnjak
Košutnjak is a park-forest and urban neighborhood of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is divided between in the municipalities of Čukarica and Rakovica .-Location:...
and Topčider
Topcider
Topčider is a forest park and an urban neighborhood of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is divided between in the municipalities of Čukarica, Rakovica and Savski Venac...
to be added soon), the Kosmaj is a part of the circle of the protected green areas of Belgrade. The Kosmaj remained forested, mostly by the deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
(beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
and oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
), and to the lesser extent, coniferous woods. Altogether, 600 plant and 300 fungi species inhabits the mountain, including the endangered larkspur
Delphinium
Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of perennial flowering plants in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa. The common name, larkspur, is shared with the closely related genus Consolida...
(Delphinium phissum) which is on the Red List. Cleared areas are mostly used as pastures or are being cultivated as orchards and vineyards. Animals inhabiting the mountain include 50 mammal and 100 bird species, including the more common hares, roes
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
, pheasants, foxes, partridges and quails but also in Serbia rare, Red Listed corn crake
Corn Crake
The Corn Crake, Corncrake or Landrail is a bird in the rail family. It breeds in Europe and Asia as far east as western China, and migrates to Africa for the winter...
and 17 newly discovered species of Sesiidae
Sesiidae
The Sesiidae or clearwing moths are family of the Lepidoptera in which the wings partially have hardly any of the normal lepidopteran scales, leaving them transparent. The bodies are generally striped with yellow, red or white, sometimes very brightly, and they have simple antennae...
. Wolves, once living on Kosmaj, are extinct from the mountain.
Tourism
The Kosmaj is touristicly well prepared. It has a hotel, mountaineering camp, villas, etc. Proximity of Belgrade and mountain's gentle slopes, gladesGlade (geography)
A glade or clearing is an open area within a woodland. Glades are often grassy meadows under the canopy of deciduous trees such as red alder or quaking aspen in western North America. They also represent openings in forests where local conditions such as avalanches, poor soils, or fire damage have...
and woods are a basis for the touristic economy. Latest addition, since the mid 2000s is a modern, vast resort complex of "Babe", near the village of the same name. Hunting tourism is also an opportunity, because the mountain is rich in game. Several monasteries are located in the mountain's downhill: "Tresije" (from the 15th century), "Kasteljan" (in ruins) and "Pavlovac". There is a mineral spa
Mineral spa
Mineral spas are resorts developed around naturally occurring mineral spring locales.- Origins :Spas grew in reputation in the nineteenth century on into the late middle-twentieth century for their purported healing or healthful benefits to those wealthy enough to partake of their waters...
on the southern slopes, near the village of Koraćica (Koraćička banja). There are two monuments on the top of the mountain, one dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the other to the soldiers of the Yugoslav Partisan "Kosmaj Partisan detachment" from the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.