Đavolja Varoš (Devil's Town) Serbia Travel Guide
Đavolja Varoš (Devil's Town) is a natural monument in southern Serbia, on the slopes of the Radan mountain near Kuršumlija. More than 200 natural stone towers rise 2 to 15 metres high, each capped by a stone that shields it from erosion. The site also holds two remarkably acidic springs. For missing details, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## What is Đavolja Varoš and what will you see?
Đavolja Varoš is a rare natural formation of about 200 earth pyramids in southern Serbia. The 202 documented stone pillars stand 2 to 15 metres tall and carry stone caps weighing up to 100 kilograms on their tops. The site splits into two parts: Paklena jaruga (Hell's Ravine) on the right and Đavolja jaruga (Devil's Ravine) on the left. Sources call it the formation with the most numerous and tallest towers. For missing details, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## Where is Đavolja Varoš and how do you get there?
The formation sits on the south-western slopes of the Radan mountain, near the village of Đake in the Kuršumlija municipality, at about 700 metres elevation. According to Wikipedia it lies roughly 30 kilometres south-east of Kuršumlija; it is about 290 kilometres from Belgrade and around 89 kilometres from Niš. Travelling by car is the most practical option, as public transport is limited. For current road and timetable details, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## The two acidic springs: Đavolja voda and Crveno vrelo
Beneath the field of towers lie two extraordinarily acidic mineral springs. Đavolja voda (Devil's Water) has a pH of about 1.5 and roughly 15 grams of minerals per litre, making it exceptionally acidic. The second spring, Crveno vrelo (Red Well), is known for its high mineral content, and iron-rich water leaves reddish traces. These acidic waters also help erode the surrounding rock. For the exact flow rate, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## How were the stone towers formed?
The towers formed through strong soil erosion following intense volcanic activity millions of years ago. The hard andesite cap on each pillar protects the softer rock beneath from rain and keeps the tower standing; once the cap falls, the tower erodes away. Clearing the forests let rainfall erode the rock more heavily. In the Middle Ages, Saxon miners extracted iron, copper and aluminium here; four shafts are documented, one measuring 800 metres. For the exact age, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## Legends, protection status and visiting
One legend reads the towers as a wedding party turned to stone for trying to marry a brother and sister; another tells of a witch who petrified those who broke their word. The area has been protected since 1959, and a 1995 government decree declared it a first-category natural monument, with about 67 hectares safeguarded. In the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign it ranked first in Europe. For current prices and hours, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
FAQ
How many stone towers does Đavolja Varoš have and how tall are they?
Records document about 200, precisely 202 stone towers. They range from 2 to 15 metres tall, and each is topped by a hard stone cap weighing up to 100 kilograms that shields the pillar from erosion. For further details, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia)
Why is the water at Đavolja Varoš so acidic?
Of the two springs, Đavolja voda has a pH of about 1.5 and roughly 15 grams of minerals per litre, making it exceptionally acidic. Its high mineral and iron content causes the water to leave reddish traces on the ground. For finer detail, we honestly say: I don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)