View source for Zlatibor

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Short description|Mountainous region in western Serbia}}
{{Other uses|Zlatibor (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Zlatibor
| other_name = 
| photo = Pejzaz ribnickog jezera.jpg
| photo_caption = 
| elevation_m = 1496
| elevation_ref =
| map = Serbia
| map_caption = Location in Serbia
| map_size = 250
| location = Western [[Serbia]]
| range = [[Dinaric Alps]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|43|38|54|N|19|40|45|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = 
| first_ascent = 
| easiest_route = 
}}

'''Zlatibor''' ({{lang-sr-Cyrl|Златибoр}} {{IPA|sh|zlǎtibɔːr|pron}}) is a [[List of mountains of Serbia|mountainous]] region in western [[Serbia]].

Among the most popular places in Serbia for tourism, Zlatibor's main attractions include health tourism, skiing, and hiking<ref name=toz>{{cite web |url=http://www.zlatibor.org.rs/en/ke/zlatibor-pride-anniversary-120-years-tourism |title=Zlatibor Pride Anniversary – 120 Years of Tourism |publisher=Tourist Organization of Zlatibor |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404122045/http://www.zlatibor.org.rs/en/ke/zlatibor-pride-anniversary-120-years-tourism |url-status=live }}</ref> and the longest panoramic gondola lift in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 January 2021 |title=Posle pet godina, proradila panoramska zlatiborska gondola, najduža na svetu |url=https://rs.n1info.com/lifestyle/posle-pet-godina-proradila-panoramska-zlatiborska-gondola-najduza-na-svetu/ |access-date=13 January 2021 |website=N1 |language=sr-RS |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111140804/https://rs.n1info.com/lifestyle/posle-pet-godina-proradila-panoramska-zlatiborska-gondola-najduza-na-svetu/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 January 2021 |title=Na Zlatiboru proradila najduža panoramska gondola na svetu |url=https://www.gradnja.rs/na-zlatiboru-proradila-najduza-gondola-na-svetu/ |access-date=13 January 2021 |website=gradnja.rs |language=sr-RS |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111233349/https://www.gradnja.rs/na-zlatiboru-proradila-najduza-gondola-na-svetu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Tornik ski resort]] is located in the area.

The largest city in the region is [[Užice]]—located at the foothills of the mountain—while most of the area belongs to the municipality of [[Čajetina]]. The [[Zlatibor (town)|town of Zlatibor]] has changed over the years from a group of vacation homes to an urban location with diverse amenities. The Zlatibor region is divided among two municipalities, [[Čajetina]] and [[Užice]], both located in the [[Zlatibor District]]. The [[Belgrade-Bar railway|Belgrade-Bar railroad]] passes through Zlatibor.

== History ==
In the [[Middle Ages]], the region was known as Rujno, a ''[[župa]]'' that was part of Raška, a centre of the [[Serbia in the Middle Ages|medieval Serbian state]].

The name ''Zlatibor'' came into the 18th century, but its etymology is uncertain. It probably stems from the Serbian words ''zlatni'' (golden) and ''bor'' (pine). ''[[Pinus sylvestris]]'' var. ''zlatiborica'' is a subspecies of [[pine]] originating from the mountain, and is endangered today. By 2021, there were no more remaining golden pine trees in its natural habitat. The last surviving tree cracked under the snow and was brought down by the storm on the [[Murtenica]] slope, in the [[Negbina]] village. Only grafted trees in urban areas survived, including towns of Zlatibor and Čajetina.<ref name=zlatni>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |title=Zlatni bor se iz prirode preselio u naselja |trans-title=Golden pine moved from nature into settlements |newspaper=Politika |page=16 |language=sr |date=10-11 November 2021 |url=https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/491968/Drustvo/Zlatni-bor-se-iz-prirode-preselio-u-naselja |access-date=18 November 2021 |archive-date=18 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118185826/https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/491968/Drustvo/Zlatni-bor-se-iz-prirode-preselio-u-naselja |url-status=live }}</ref>

Medieval [[Uvac Monastery]], dedicated to the [[Nativity of Mary]], was destroyed by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] in the late 17th century. Today located in the village of [[Stublo]], its remains were surveyed in the 1990s, and the monastery was rebuilt. It was consecrated on 21 September 1995, Nativity of Mary's Day. The remains of another destroyed medieval monastery, Dubrava, were found in 2001. Ruins of the church and ''[[Konak (residence)|konak]]'' were discovered, as was the vault with 260 [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]] gold coins from the 17th century. The monastery was fully rebuilt following that.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |title=Duhovni dragulji Zlatibora |trans-title=Spiritual gems of Zlatibor |newspaper=Politika |language=sr |date=29 March 2021 |url=http://ts366544v061.moji.oblaci.rs/sr/clanak/475997/Duhovni-dragulji-Uvac-i-Dubrava |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413165043/http://ts366544v061.moji.oblaci.rs/sr/clanak/475997/Duhovni-dragulji-Uvac-i-Dubrava |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Cigla, a hill close to the nearby village of Jablanica, still has some borderline markings of the [[Kingdom of Serbia]], [[Austria-Hungary]], and the [[Ottoman Empire]].

=== World War II ===

In the late 1941, the mountain became a focal point of the treasure hunt connected with the withdrawal of the [[Yugoslav Partisans|Partisans]] from the collapsing free territory of the [[Republic of Užice]]. After taking Užice, the Partisans confiscated much paper and silver money. On 10 October 1941 they shipped two trucks to the mountain and buried the money. Another quantity of money, only silver, was taken with them during the withdrawal in the end of November and buried on Zlatibor. After the war, the official story of the Partisans was that all the money was later seized by the Germans and the [[Chetniks]], but after the fall of Communism, different information surfaced.<ref name=zlato>{{cite news |author=Miloš Timotijević |script-title=sr: Злато у окупираној Србији 1941, део 3 (изводи из књиге Злато четника и партизана – деконструкција једног мита |trans-title=Gold in occupied Serbia in 1941, part III (excerpts from the book Gold of the Chetniks and the Partisans – deconstruction of the myth |newspaper=Politika |page=21 |language=sr |date=7 February 2020}}</ref>

On 28 November 1941, [[Josip Broz Tito]] and [[Slobodan Penezić Krcun]] ordered the silver to be transported to the Zlatibor villa of the Belgrade lawyer Aca Pavlović. There were 103 cases, 60&nbsp;kg each, or 6 tons in total. It was disguised as an ammunition. The treasure was then transported to the location of Borova Glava, where at the locality of Jokina Ćuprija part of it was buried, but the work was not finished due to the German offensive, so an attempt was made to move the remaining part. As transport by trucks was not an option due to the German offensive, the Partisans carried the crates on their backs. As they were chased by the Germans, the Partisans threw away the crates and the silver scattered over the meadows in the direction of the river Rzav, the Partisans managing to keep only few bags of paper money.<ref name=zlato/>

According to the report of the Chief of Staff, the Partisans lost half of the paper money during the withdrawal across the Zlatibor, while the silver coins were sloppily buried and then stolen by "some people". Both the Germans and the local population in the ensuing period searched and collected treasure on the mountain. Germans discovered the main vault left by the Partisans (1.8&nbsp;million dinars at the time) in the search party organized on 3 December. They also collected most of the silver which was dispersed on the mountain.<ref name=zlato/>

During the winter and summer of 1944, 47 [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] airmen were shot down over the mountain by the German anti-aircraft units. They were saved and hidden by the local Chetniks. The airmen were later secretly transported to the airstrip in [[Pranjani]], some {{cvt|75|km}} to the northeast, from where they were airlifted by the Allied forces in [[Operation Halyard]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |title=Savezničke pilote spasili, slomljenih krila ostali |trans-title=They saves Allied pilots, but remained with broken wings |newspaper=Politika |language=sr |date=14 August 2020 |url=http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/460397/Saveznicke-pilote-spasili-slomljenih-krila-ostali |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924070830/http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/460397/Saveznicke-pilote-spasili-slomljenih-krila-ostali |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Staro Selo - Sirogojno5.JPG|thumb|right|Traditional architecture in [[Sirogojno]]]]
Zlatibor itself is located in the northern part of the [[Stari Vlah]] region, a historical border region between [[Raška (region)|Raška]], [[Herzegovina]] and [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]]. It spreads over an area of {{cvt|300|km2|abbr=off}}, {{cvt|27|mi|km|order=flip}} in length, southeast to northwest, and up to {{cvt|23|mi|km|order=flip}} in width. Its highest peak, [[Tornik (peak)|Tornik]], has an elevation of 1,496&nbsp;m. Zlatibor is situated between {{nobreak|43° 31' N}}, and {{nobreak|43° 51' N}}, and between {{nobreak|19° 28' E}} and {{nobreak|19° 56' E}}.

The southern and the eastern border of Zlatibor are natural – the rivers [[Uvac]] and [[Rzav (Zlatibor)|Veliki Rzav]]. Villages of [[Mokra Gora]], [[Semegnjevo]] and [[Jablanica (Čajetina)|Jablanica]] mark its western border towards the [[Tara Mountain]]. Southern part of Zlatibor, extending towards the [[Zlatar (mountain)|Zlatar mountains]], is referred to as [[Murtenica]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.graduzice.org/userfiles/files/reljef.pdf |title=Geografske odlike Užičkog područja: Reljef |author=Olga Savić |publisher=Grad Užice |language=sr |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-date=22 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222035551/http://www.graduzice.org/userfiles/files/reljef.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> There is a {{cvt|22|m}} tall Gostilje waterfall on the mountain, in the village of the same name.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: Село упорно да буде најбоље на свету |trans-title=Village persistent into becoming the best in the world |newspaper=Politika-Magazin, No. 1295 |pages=20–21 |language=sr |date=24 July 2022}}</ref>

There are several caves on the mountain, like [[Stopića Cave]] and Prerast Cave, on the southern slopes. Prerast is a typical natural "stone bridge", formed with the collapse of the cave ceiling above the stream. It is also known as the Točkovička Cave or Šupljica. The cave is {{cvt|48|m}} long, {{cvt|12|m}} high, while the entry points are {{cvt|12|m}} (upper entry) and {{cvt|16|m}} (lower exit) high. The stone arch above is {{cvt|20|m}} thick.<ref>{{cite news | author = Branko Pejović | title = Sakrivena Dobroselica | trans-title = Hidden Dobroselica | newspaper = Politika-Magazin, No. 1363 | pages = 21–22 | language = sr | date = 12 November 2023 | url = https://magazin.politika.rs/sr/clanak/567528/putovanja/sakrivena-dobroselica}}</ref>

Artificial [[lake Ribnica]] was created in 1971. The [[Crni Rzav]] river was dammed to create a reservoir for household usage.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branka Radovanović |script-title=sr: Гости верни Рибници |trans-title=Guests loyal to Ribnica |newspaper=Politika-Magazin, No. 1304 |page=21 |language=sr |date=25 September 2022}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate is [[humid continental climate|humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Dfb''). 
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Zlatibor (1991–2020, extremes 1961–2020)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 17.6
|Feb record high C = 20.3
|Mar record high C = 24.9
|Apr record high C = 26.4
|May record high C = 30.1
|Jun record high C = 32.2
|Jul record high C = 35.8
|Aug record high C = 34.4
|Sep record high C = 33.2
|Oct record high C = 28.6
|Nov record high C = 25.5
|Dec record high C = 17.2
|year record high C = 35.8
|Jan high C = 2.4
|Feb high C = 3.9
|Mar high C = 7.9
|Apr high C = 12.9
|May high C = 17.6
|Jun high C = 21.5
|Jul high C = 23.6
|Aug high C = 24.1
|Sep high C = 18.7
|Oct high C = 14.2
|Nov high C = 8.8
|Dec high C = 2.9
|year high C = 13.2
|Jan mean C = -1.7
|Feb mean C = -0.6
|Mar mean C = 2.9
|Apr mean C = 7.8
|May mean C = 12.4
|Jun mean C = 16.2
|Jul mean C = 18.1
|Aug mean C = 18.3
|Sep mean C = 13.4
|Oct mean C = 9.1
|Nov mean C = 4.3
|Dec mean C = -0.9
|year mean C = 8.3
|Jan low C = -4.8
|Feb low C = -4.1
|Mar low C = -0.9
|Apr low C = 3.5
|May low C = 7.8
|Jun low C = 11.4
|Jul low C = 13.1
|Aug low C = 13.5
|Sep low C = 9.3
|Oct low C = 5.3
|Nov low C = 1.1
|Dec low C = -3.9
|year low C = 4.3
|Jan record low C = -22.8
|Feb record low C = -19.9
|Mar record low C = -18.7
|Apr record low C = -8.8
|May record low C = -3.3
|Jun record low C = -2.2
|Jul record low C = 4.1
|Aug record low C = 2.4
|Sep record low C = -2.0
|Oct record low C = -11.2
|Nov record low C = -14.5
|Dec record low C = -19.0
|year record low C = -22.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 63.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 71.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 81.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 82.1
|May precipitation mm = 105.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 115.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 101.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 74.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 96.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 81.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 80.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 79.9
|year precipitation mm = 1031.8
|Jan humidity = 83.3
|Feb humidity = 79.7
|Mar humidity = 74.0
|Apr humidity = 69.4
|May humidity = 70.8
|Jun humidity = 72.1
|Jul humidity = 69.7
|Aug humidity = 68.6
|Sep humidity = 74.4
|Oct humidity = 77.6
|Nov humidity = 79.7
|Dec humidity = 85.0
|year humidity = 75.4
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 15.1
|Feb precipitation days = 15.5
|Mar precipitation days = 15.3
|Apr precipitation days = 16.0
|May precipitation days = 16.5
|Jun precipitation days = 14.7
|Jul precipitation days = 11.8
|Aug precipitation days = 10.7
|Sep precipitation days = 12.2
|Oct precipitation days = 11.8
|Nov precipitation days = 12.5
|Dec precipitation days = 15.8
|year precipitation days = 167.9
|Jan snow days = 13.4
|Feb snow days = 12.9
|Mar snow days = 11.1
|Apr snow days = 4.4
|May snow days = 0.5
|Jun snow days = 0.1
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.1
|Oct snow days = 1.7
|Nov snow days = 6.1
|Dec snow days = 12.1
|year snow days = 62.4
|Jan sun = 89.7
|Feb sun = 103.3 
|Mar sun = 148.0
|Apr sun = 168.8
|May sun = 209.9
|Jun sun = 241.5
|Jul sun = 276.8
|Aug sun = 270.2
|Sep sun = 192.5
|Oct sun = 159.6
|Nov sun = 106.7
|Dec sun = 76.6
|year sun = 2043.6
|source 1 = Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia<ref name = RHSS1991>{{cite web |url=https://www.hidmet.gov.rs/ciril/meteorologija/stanica_sr_zlatibor.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420201304/https://www.hidmet.gov.rs/ciril/meteorologija/stanica_sr_zlatibor.php |archive-date=20 April 2022 |title=Monthly and annual means, maximum and minimum values of meteorological elements for the period 1991–2020 |language=sr |publisher=Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref><ref name = RHSS1981>{{cite web |url=http://www.hidmet.gov.rs/eng/meteorologija/stanica_sr.php?moss_id=13367 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720080934/http://www.hidmet.gov.rs/eng/meteorologija/stanica_sr.php?moss_id=13367 |archive-date=20 July 2021 |title=Monthly and annual means, maximum and minimum values of meteorological elements for the period 1981–2010 |language=sr |publisher=Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref>
}}

==Tourism==
{{main|Zlatibor (town)|l1=Zlatibor town}}
[[File:Pejzaz9.jpg|right|thumb|[[Zlatibor Lake|Lake]] in the center of [[Zlatibor (town)|Kraljeva Voda]]]]

Situated at an elevation of just over 1,000 metres, Zlatibor is a [[climatic resort]], characterized by a cool [[alpine climate]], clean air, long periods of sunshine during the summer and a heavy snow cover in winter. Tourist facilities include modern hotels, holiday centers and [[cottage]]s, sports grounds and skiing tracks.

A tourist era on Zlatibor officially began on 20 August 1893, when the King of Serbia [[Aleksandar Obrenović]] decided to establish a health resort after an initiative from local hoteliers. In his honor, a fountain was erected on the place where he had lunch and named ''Kraljeva Voda'' ("King's water").<ref name=toz/> The fountain was later accompanied by the small artificial Zlatibor Lake, formed in 1947. It was built by damming the Obudovica river during one of the [[Youth work actions]], in a project by engineer Miladin Pećinar.<ref name=jezero>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: Језеро без воде у центру Златибора |trans-title=Lake in the center of Zlatibor without water |newspaper=Politika |page=28 |language=sr |date=30 April – 1 May 2020}}</ref> Pećinar planned to turn the bogs which surrounded the Obudovica into lake during Interbellum, and finished the project on 2 January 1941. Due to the outbreak of the war, construction was on hold until 1946. The monument to Pećinar was dedicated in the forest next to the lake.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: Горско око Златибора |trans-title=Mountain eye of Zlatibor |newspaper=Politika-Magazin, No. 1299 |pages=20–21 |language=sr |date=21 August 2022}}</ref>

The facility which "opened the gates of Zlatibor" for tourism was the Užice-Kraljeva Voda road. The {{cvt|27|km}} long road was built from 1923 to 1927 and is today known as the Zlatibor road.<ref>{{cite news | author = Branko Pejović | script-title=sr: Век од почетка градње "златиборског пута" од Ужица до Краљеве Воде | trans-title = A century from the beginning of the construction of the "Zlatibor road" from Užice to Kraljeva Voda | newspaper = Politika | page = 10 | language = sr | date = 23 October 2023}}</ref> It is part of the [[European route E763]].

In 1945 the settlement was renamed ''Partizanske Vode'' after [[Yugoslav Partisans]], but in 1991 the town received the current name [[Zlatibor (town)|Zlatibor]]. The area is a location of numerous hotels, villas, restaurants, open swimming pools and other sports facilities. Eventually, residents of surrounding villages of [[Sirogojno]], [[Gostilje]], [[Jablanica (Čajetina)|Jablanica]], [[Rožanstvo]], [[Ljubiš]], [[Tripkova]] and the town of [[Čajetina]] opened their homes to tourists and built other facilities.<ref name=toz/> There are 20 marked hiking paths on the mountain.<ref name=zlatni/> They have a total length of {{cvt|300|km}} and all were fully arranged and equipped by 2023. Most of them are longer than {{cvt|10|km}} but are generally easy to hike and accessible to regular hikers. The longest is the Zlatibor-Spomenik-Čuker trail, with {{cvt|21.9|km}}, while the shortest, and marked as the hardest, is the {{cvt|9|km}} long Stublo-Omarski Potok.<ref>{{cite news | author = Branko Pejović | title = Kroz Park prirode "Zlatibor" uređeno 300 kilometara staza | trans-title = 300 kilometers of paths arranged in Nature Park Zlatibor | newspaper = Politika | language = sr | date = 30 July 2023 | url = https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/563996/Kroz-Park-prirode-Zlatibor-uredeno-300-kilometara-staza}}</ref>

The lake was completely emptied in April and May 2020 for renovation, which includes the nearby Kraljev Trg ("King's Square"). The lakebed was washed and cleaned, a diversion channel will be built around it to conduct dirty water during the rainfall, and a multi-purpose floating stage will be placed on the lake.<ref name=jezero/> The floating multi-media fountain, with light, video, laser, and audio effects, and with the {{cvt|18|m}} tall water jet, became operational on the lake on 29 June 2022.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: Мултимедијална фонтана на златиборском језеру |trans-title=Multi-media fountain on Zlatibor Lake |newspaper=Politika |page=14 |language=sr |date=30 June 2022}}</ref>

The mountain is known for the textile production, especially of woolen clothing. It was also one of the rare regions where clothing was made from goat hair, before the federal government banned goat herding in 1948. Since the 1960s, under the direction of designer Dobrila Smiljanić, the production was modernized and almost turned into an industry, centered in Sirogojno. Sirogojno brand of woolen clothes became a world known trademark. In 1992, a clothing museum "Staro selo" ("Old village") was opened in Sirogojno.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |title=Vekovi uz vlakna i preslicu |trans-title=Centuries spent with fibers and distaff |newspaper=Politika-Magazin, No. 1296 |pages=24–25 |language=sr |date=31 July 2022 |url=https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/513692/Vekovi-uz-vlakna-i-preslicu |access-date=3 September 2022 |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903201625/https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/513692/Vekovi-uz-vlakna-i-preslicu |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Zlatibor mountains.JPG|right|thumb|Landscape of the region]]

Since 2005, an annual "Village Multisport Event" (''Seoski višeboj'') has been held in the village of [[Jablanica (Čajetina)|Jablanica]]. The event consists of performing various old tasks (lighting of the evergreen-produced [[tar]] [[kiln]]s, dancing and singing folk songs, logs sawing, horse races, stone throwing, climbing the poles and, the main event, [[ox]]-powered dragging of tree trunks down the mountain).<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |title=Jablanički višeboj odoleva i pandemiji |trans-title=Jablanica multi event resists the pandemic |newspaper=Politika |page=13 |language=sr |date=19 June 2020 |url=http://www.politika.co.rs/sr/clanak/456599/Jablanicki-viseboj-odoleva-i-pandemiji |access-date=26 June 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628111728/http://www.politika.co.rs/sr/clanak/456599/Jablanicki-viseboj-odoleva-i-pandemiji |url-status=live }}</ref> At the Vodice locality, {{cvt|14|km}} from Zlatibor town, a [[American frontier|Western-style]] resort and [[theme park]] "El Paso City" was opened in May 2020. It covers {{cvt|6|ha}}, including a hotel but also bungalows in the shape of tents, caravans and wagons, horse stable and [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] village named after [[Sitting Bull]]. The river which flows through the complex divides it into the Western section and a Serbian one across from it, which includes a church and [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: На Златибору отворен каубојски град |trans-title=Cowboy city opened on Zlatibor |newspaper=Politika |language=sr |date=16 May 2020}}</ref>

In the mid-19th century, the business of trade caravans blossomed in the Užice and Zlatibor area. The merchant heading the caravan was called ''kiridžija'' (plural ''kiridžije''). The caravans had 15 to 20 horses and Zlatibor merchants became famous for their work. Photographer Ilija Lazić took a photo of ''kiridžija'' Todor Udovičić Gajević (by some sources Todor Gajović) in the early 20th century, which became iconic. Lazić named it "Zlatibor's fast train" and used it for postcards. A real railroad reached Užice in 1912, and the number of caravan merchants began to dwindle. With the introduction of motor vehicles, ''kiridžije'' disappeared by 1950. Based on the photo, Miladin Lekić, self-taught sculptor, carved wooden sculptures of Gajević (generically referred to as ''Era'', named for the inhabitant of southwest Serbia) and his horse, {{cvt|2.6|m}} and {{cvt|2.5|m}} tall, respectively. They were made of wood from Stubla: Gajević from oak, and the horse from elm wood. The sculptures were placed in the center of King's Square in 2013, marking 120 years of organized tourism in Zlatibor. During the 2020 reconstruction, the sculptures were moved to the starting section of the promenade. The sculptural group is called "Zlatibor's fast train", after the photo.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |title="Brzi voz" na novom peronu |trans-title="Fast train" on new platform |newspaper=Politika |language=sr |date=14 December 2020 |url=http://www.zlatibor.org.rs/sr/novosti/vesti/brzi-voz-na-novom-peronu/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219093839/https://www.zlatibor.org.rs/sr/novosti/vesti/brzi-voz-na-novom-peronu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thanks to the geographic configuration and favorable microclimate, which includes temperate wind intensity, Zlatibor is one of the most suitable [[paragliding]] locations in Serbia. Especially popular are the Čigota-Čukar ridge and the southern slope of Tornik. In 2021 there were two paragliding clubs and at least six designated launching spots.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: Летачи на ружи ветрова |trans-title=Wind rose flyers |newspaper=Politika |page=10 |language=sr |date=10 May 2021}}</ref> After 3 days of trial operation, on 14 January 2021, the longest panoramic gondola lift in the world became operational. It connects the center of Zlatibor with the Tornik peak, via the Ribnica Lake. It is {{cvt|8.95|km}} long, has 55 gondolas with 10 seats each and is designed to transport 600 passengers in one hour.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: У ужичком крају снег и до колена |trans-title=In some parts of the Užice region, snow high up to the knees |newspaper=Politika |page=12 |language=sr |date=12 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Puštena u rad gondola na Zlatiboru, uz Vučića, himnu i veliki broj građana |trans-title=Zlatibor's gondola opened, with participation of Vučić, anthem and large number of citizens |publisher=N1 |language=sr |date=14 January 2021 |url=https://rs.n1info.com/vesti/pustena-u-rad-gondola-na-zlatiboru-uz-vucica-i-veliki-broj-gradjana/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114162537/https://rs.n1info.com/vesti/pustena-u-rad-gondola-na-zlatiboru-uz-vucica-i-veliki-broj-gradjana/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Protection==
The process began in January 2016, and in October 2017 the government placed part of the mountain under protection as the '''Nature Park of Zlatibor'''. The land within the "protected area of exceptional importance" ([[IUCN Category I]]) is 56% privately owned and covers the villages of [[Semegnjevo]], [[Jablanica, Čajetina|Jablanica]], [[Stublo]], [[Dobroselica (Čajetina)|Dobroselica]], [[Ljubiš]] and [[Gostilje]]. The settled area is in the lowest, third level of protection while the first level of protection occupies 4.69% of the entire area, or {{cvt|1968.89|ha}}. Within the park there are four regions: Viogor, Black Rzav, Uvac Gorge and Griža Gorge. There are also previously protected areas: a strict natural reserve "Park Forest" ({{cvt|12.54|ha}}) and natural monuments "Lira black pine" (near Nova Varoš) and "Three black pines – Dobroselica" (near Čajetina).<ref name=Politika>{{Citation |author=Slavica Stuparušić |title=Još dva parka prirode na mapi Srbije |trans-title=Two more nature parks on the map of Serbia |newspaper=[[Politika]] |page=08 |language=sr |date=16 October 2017 |url=http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/390824/Jos-dva-parka-prirode-na-mapi-Srbije |access-date=19 October 2017 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220535/http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/390824/Jos-dva-parka-prirode-na-mapi-Srbije |url-status=live }}</ref> The total area of the park is {{cvt|41.923|ha}}.<ref name=park>{{Citation |author=Branko Pejović |title=Park prirode "Zlatibor" neće zaustaviti gradnju gondola |trans-title=Nature Park Zlatibor will not stop the construction of the cable car |newspaper=Politika |pages=01 & 16 |language=sr |date=19 October 2017 |url=http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/390974/Park-prirode-Zlatibor-nece-zaustaviti-gradnju-gondole |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-date=21 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021111520/http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/390974/Park-prirode-Zlatibor-nece-zaustaviti-gradnju-gondole |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Stopića Pećina2.jpg|right|thumb|[[Stopića Cave]]]]

There are 1,044 species of plants in the park. The prevailing fauna consists of the autochthonous [[Pinus nigra|black pine]] forests and the mixed forests of black and [[Scots pine]], which are categorized as a priority habitats by the [[Natura 2000]].<ref name=Politika/> Medicinal herbs [[Teucrium montanum|mountain germander]], [[Thymus serpyllum|Breckland thyme]], [[Achillea millefolium|common yarrow]] and [[Gentiana lutea|great yellow gentian]] grow on the mountain, while [[forest fruit]]s include wild [[blackberry]], [[blueberry]], [[Fragaria vesca|woodland strawberry]] and [[Sorbus torminalis|chequers]]. Various fungi live in the park, too, like [[Boletus edulis|cep]], [[Macrolepiota procera|parasol mushroom]], [[Lactarius deliciosus|saffron milk cap]] and [[Agaricus campestris|field mushroom]].<ref name=zlatni/>

There are 18 species of amphibians and reptiles, 154 species of birds (42% of all bird species recorded in Serbia) and 38 species of mammals (40%).<ref name=Politika/> With the gradual return of wolves and bears in the 21st century, the tracking of the animals which began in 2017 on the [[Golija (Serbia)|Golija]] mountain, showed that the Zlatibor area is a main transit area for [[brown bear]]s, which passed through here to the south and southeast areas, including Tara, [[Šargan Eight|Šargan]], [[Mokra Gora]], Golija, Uvac and Zlatar. 2019 surveys showed that a permanent population of brown bear settled at Zlatibor itself.<ref>{{cite news |author=Slavica Stuparušić |script-title=sr: Све више медведа и вукова у нашим шумама |trans-title=Growing number of bears and wolves in our forests |newspaper=Politika |page=8 |language=sr |date=4 January 2019}}</ref> Other mammals include [[otter]], [[badger]], [[wildcat]] and [[marten]].<ref name=zlatni/>

By 2023, number of bears grew and they began to attack stables, orchards and beehives, which are abundant in the region. As authorities were slow to respond, the residents began to shoot or poison the bears. A program was proposed in March 2023 which includes bear-proof fences, introduction of more shepherd dogs and strategic planting of specific trees. Plan is also to turn the bears into one of the touristic attractions of the mountain, akin to the nearby man-made feeding ground for vultures which attracts 35,000 people yearly.<ref>{{cite news | author = Višnja Aranđelović | title = Medvedi zagorčavaju život Zlatiborcima | trans-title = Bears make life difficult for the residents of Zlatibor | newspaper = Politika | page = 07 | language = sr | date = 29 March 2023 | url = https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/545285/Medvedi-zagorcavaju-zivot-Zlatiborcima))}}</ref>

The park includes three cultural monuments and numerous items of an architectural legacy.<ref name=Politika/>

The park is bounded by the [[Uvac]] river on the south, border with Bosnia and Herzegovina on the west, mountains of Mokra Gora, Semegnjevo and Grude on the north and the mountain of Murtenica and Katušnica river on the east. Ribnica Lake and Čigota massif are within the park, while the towns of Čajetina and Zlatibor remain outside.<ref name=park/>

In June 2021, the wastewater treatment facility "Zlatibor" was opened after six months of trial running. The facility was built from 2017 onwards and is considered the most modern one in Serbia. It is constructed along the Obudovica river valley. The Obudovica drains the wastewater from Zlatibor into the Crni Rzav, and then further into the Drina.<ref>{{cite news |author=Branko Pejović |script-title=sr: Отворено постројење за пречишћавање отпадних вода Златибора |trans-title=Wastewater treatment facility in Zlatibor opened |newspaper=Politika |language=sr |date=30 June 2021}}</ref>

The town of Zlatibor itself, however, experienced massive, unplanned urban expansion since the 2010s. Due to the crammed buildings and lack of planned development, it has earned a moniker "[[Kaluđerica]] on the Mountain", as Belgrade's suburb Kaluđerica has been for the long time described as the largest unplanned settlement in the Balkans or even Europe.<ref>{{cite news |author=Dragoljub Stevanović, Andrej Nihil |title=Ceo svet ispod drona |script-title=sr: Цео свет испод дрона |trans-title=Whole wide world beneath the drone |newspaper=Politika-Magazin, No. 1249 |page=7 |language=sr |date=5 September 2021 |url=https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/487490/Magazin/Ceo-svet-ispod-drona |access-date=31 October 2021 |archive-date=31 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031213955/https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/487490/Magazin/Ceo-svet-ispod-drona |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Ponikve Airport]] (nearby airport)
*[[Tornik ski resort]]
*[[Drekavac]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Zlatibor}}
*[http://www.zlatibor.com Zlatibor in words and pictures] Zlatibor.com
*[http://parkprirodezlatibor.rs/ Парк природе Златибор] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329032930/http://parkprirodezlatibor.rs/ |date=29 March 2019 }}
*[https://zlatibor.rs Everything about Zlatibor in one place – Mysterious and magical power ] zlatibor.rs

{{Commons category|Zlatibor}}

{{Geographical regions of Serbia}}
{{Protected areas of Serbia}}
{{Spas in Serbia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Zlatibor| ]]
[[Category:Užice]]
[[Category:Mountains of Serbia]]
[[Category:Tourism in Serbia]]
[[Category:Zlatibor District]]