ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF NEBESKE STOLICE

This site (Arheološko nalazište Nebeske Stolice, Lokaliteti arkeologjik Ulëset e qiellit) is placed at 1,793 m above sea level, on the border between Kosovo and Serbia. It owes its name of "heavenly chairs" (Небеске Столице/Nebeske Stolice) to its position offering a grand view of Pančić peak, the highest point of the Kopaonik Mountains at 2,017 m above sea level (in Serbia, 600 m to the northwest) as well as the Kopaonik National Park and ski resort (Serbia) and the entire northern part of Kosovo. The site contains a recent minicluster and, most importantly, the base of an early Christian basilica, built around the 3rd century and abandoned around the 6th century. It bears witness to the occupation of the site by a colony of miners during the Roman and Byzantine periods. The walk and the view from the top are well worth the detour. When the horizon is clear, you can see all of southern Serbia and as far as Montenegro (50 km to the southwest) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (120 km to the west). The site is accessible on foot from the Serbian ski resort of Kopaonik or from Kosovo from the village of Belo Brdo/Bellobërda (120 inhabitants, all Serbian) at an altitude of 1,024m. From there, you can follow a 3 km trail or a 12 km loop. In any case, one should not deviate from the route. The surrounding area is under heavy military surveillance and on the Serbian side there are still explosive sub-munitions left over from the 1999 NATO bombing.