Serbia · Western Serbia

Međuvršje

Directions

Језеро Међувршје

Međuvršje is a reservoir on the Western Morava in the Ovčar-Kablar gorge, between the mountains of Ovčar and Kablar, about 17 km west of Čačak. The gorge, a protected landscape, is known as the “Serbian Mount Athos” for its monasteries.

How it formed

The river was dammed at two points in 1954. The Ovčar Banja dam created the smaller Kablar lake, since silted up, and the 7-megawatt Međuvršje dam created this one.

History

The old Jovanje monastery was flooded by the reservoir in 1959. More than 30 monasteries, churches and places of worship were built in the gorge from the 14th century on, after monks fled Mount Athos, and about ten monasteries survive, among them Blagoveštenje, known for its icons, and Sveta Trojica. The cave church of Kađenica recalls those who died there in the uprising of 1814.

Nature

Once among the best-stocked lakes in Serbia, Međuvršje has suffered from pollution. In summer 2024 it was covered with grass and algae of fecal origin for the first time on record, and a boat with seven people aboard got stuck in the vegetation. The town has promised a clean-up, but its cost is high.

Visit

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

A railway and a major road run through the gorge, about 155 km south-west of Belgrade. The lakeside has a marina and a paved walking path, and Ovčar Banja, with warm sulphurous water, is close by. Paragliding is popular over the gorge. Check the state of the water before planning a boat trip, a swim or a day’s fishing.

The gorge’s monasteries are its main sights: Uspenje stands on the slopes of Kablar, and Preobraženje holds partial relics of St Justin Popović. A wooden viewpoint on Kablar looks out over the gorge.