Zamna

Zamna (Serbian: Замна) is a 41-kilometre-long (25 mi) river in eastern Serbia, the right tributary to the Danube. Its valley is known for the caves, arches and a canyon. Local population also calls it Zemna.

Course and geography

Zamna originates on the eastern slopes of the Deli Jovan mountain, below the Crni Vrh, at an altitude of 1,039 m (3,409 ft). It originally flows in an easterly direction. At the village of Plavna, it receives the river Medveđa (also known as Medvedica) from the left. At the mouth, the river formed prerast, or natural arch. Obscured by the thick forest, it is called Rajski prerast ("Paradise Arch") and is 2.5 km (1.6 mi) away from the center of the village.^[1][2][3]

Local folklore considers it a magical location, a place where fairies converge to seduce passersby with their magical dance. Local population uses the water from below the arch for magical rituals.^[1] It is believed that the water which flows over the stones is magically clear. Also, there are numerous tales of hidden hajduks' treasure, so the gorge is dug through on several places.The inhabitants also believed that in the river lives the Water Spirit.^[4]

Apart from the arch, in the Plavna section the river also carved a steep 4-kilometre-long (2 mi) canyon, a typical for the Tithonian limestone region. There are also two caves in this section: Dudić Cave and Cvetko Cave.^[1][2] In total, there are over 10 caves, including the still unexplored Medved caves. Dudić Cave is 2 km (1.2 mi) long and rich in speleothems.^[4]

At the village of Štubik, it turns in the northeast direction and receives the Miljakovačka reka from the right and Turija from the left. Passing west of the village of Malajnica and east of the village of Jabukovac, it receives the Skočka river from the left. In lower section, the river meanders a lot, before it empties into the Danube at Mihajlovac, across the island of Ostrovu Mare.^[1][2][3]

Wildlife

Lush forests consists of beech, common hornbeam, Turkey oak, ferns and moss. As the area is close to the protected area of Vratna, deers and wild boars can be seen along the Zamna, too, so as the birds of prey.^[4]

The river is rich in fish, including European chub, trout and common barbel.^[1][2] Crayfish also dwell in Zamna.^[4]

The valley of Zamna is also abundant in snakes. It is a habitat for grass snake, Aesculapian snake, horned viper and European adder.^[2]

Watermills

Zamna was known for its watermills. Over a dozen of them existed on the river. They grinded the corn flower, from which the specific corn bread was baked, called malaj. It gave name to the village of Malajnica next to which the river flows.^[4]

References