RAD 2012 CONFERENCE – OFFICIAL EXCURSION ĐAVOLJA VAROŠ or THE DEVIL'S TOWN

Đavolja Varoš is one of the most interesting natural phenomena not only in Serbia but also in the whole world. This first-class natural landmark is located in the south of Serbia, 27 km south-east of the city of Kuršumlija. It is a peculiar rock formation that features 202 exotic formations described as earth pyramids or "towers", as the locals refer to them. These formations were created by strong erosion of the soil that was scene of intense volcanic activity millions of years ago between two and 15 meters in height and the middle diameter of under 1 m, topped by stone blocks weighing as much as 100 kg, appearing unreal and yet lasting for centuries, and two springs of extremely acid water (pH 1,5) with high mineral content (15 g/l; content of some elements even 1000 times as high as in ordinary drinking waters) make Đavolja Varoš a true wonder of nature. Đavolja Varoš was a nominee in the New Seven Wonders of Nature campaign, but although it was very close, it did not progress to the finals.

The site of a strange name "Devil's Town" is located near an also strangely named village Đake (comes from a Turkish word "gjak" – blood), at an altitude of 660-700 m, situated in the municipality of Kuršumlija. Earthen figures or "towers" as the locals call them are located in the watershed between two gullies, whose sources joined together create a unique erosive formation, tremendously demolished by the erosive processes. The gullies also have strange names: "Devil's Gully" ("Đavolja jaruga") and "Hell's Gully" ("Paklena jaruga"). There are 202 earthen figures of different shape and dimension, from 2 m to 15 m in height, and from 0.5 m to 3 m in width, with stone caps on the top. They are an outcome of a specific erosive process that lasts for centuries. When figures are formed, they grow, change, shorten, gradually (very slowly) disappear and reappear. The loose soil is dissolved and washed away by the rain. However, the material under the stone caps is protected from the falling of the rain drops and washout, and remains in place in the form of the rising earthen pillars – figures. Formed in an unusual way, the earthen pillars are shaped into earthen figures of strange shape and appearance by various environmental factors (wind, sun, changes of temperature, etc). When observed for a long time, the figures appear unreal, both in their shape and dimension, as well as in their incredible static perseverance. It seems unreal that an earthen figure which is 3 m wide in its foot and more than 10 m tall becomes 20-30 cm wide at the top and endures for decades and centuries under the weight of more than 100 kg heavy stone block. This geomorphologic phenomenon is a unique occurrence in Serbia and very rare in the world. In Europe, there are similar occurrences in the Alps. In America, there is a significant occurrence "Garden of the Gods". However, the towers in the Devil's Town are greater in number, larger and much more stable.

Another natural rarity in "Devil's Town" are two springs of extraordinary properties. "Devil's Water" ("Đavolja voda"), which is located in vicinity of these earthen figures, is a cold and extremely acid spring (pH 1.5) of high mineral concentration (15 g/l of water), springing out in "Devil's Gully". In comparison to drinking water, it is 10 to 1000 times richer in minerals (aluminium, iron, potassium, copper, nickel, sulphur, and alaun). "Red Well" ("Crveno vrelo") is another spring located downstream, 400 m away from the first spring. Its water (pH 3.5) is less acid and has a three times lower general mineral concentration. Such waters are very rarely found in the world. They are similar only to two waters in Italy, and three in Russia.