Bela Crkva lakes
Encyclopedia
Bela Crkva lakes is a group of six artificial lakes near the town of Bela Crkva
, in the southern Banat
region in Serbia
n province of Vojvodina
. The lakes emerged as result of gravel
exploitation, and the pits were subsequently filled with underground waters. With clean and unpolluted water suitable for bathing, they are a popular destination, and a small tourist resort.
The lakes occupy the total area of 150 hectares (370.7 acre). There are six lakes, with various levels of urbanization:
Exploitation of gravel in the area started in 1904. First, it was dug out manually and transported by horse carts, and later the process was taken over by excavators and railway transport. The gravel was used for roads and river embankments. Abandoned pits were filled by underground waters, creating the lakes. Gravel is still excavated only on the New lake.
Bela Crkva (Vojvodina)
Bela Crkva is a town and municipality in the South Banat District of Vojvodina, Serbia. The town has a population of 10,638, while the Bela Crkva municipality has 20,275 inhabitants....
, in the southern Banat
Banat
The Banat is a geographical and historical region in Central Europe currently divided between three countries: the eastern part lies in western Romania , the western part in northeastern Serbia , and a small...
region in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n province of Vojvodina
Vojvodina
Vojvodina, officially called Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an autonomous province of Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Novi Sad...
. The lakes emerged as result of gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
exploitation, and the pits were subsequently filled with underground waters. With clean and unpolluted water suitable for bathing, they are a popular destination, and a small tourist resort.
The lakes occupy the total area of 150 hectares (370.7 acre). There are six lakes, with various levels of urbanization:
- Main lake (Glavno jezero) is situated closest to the town centre. It is best equipped, and has several pebbly beaches, restaurants and paved paths.
- Vračev Gaj lake (Vračevgajsko jezero) lies further down the road to the village of Vračev GajVracev GajVračev Gaj is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bela Crkva municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,568 people .-Name:...
. It has a camp site, with some bungalows, and a pebbly beach. - Gravel pit (Šljunkara) is the largest lake, with a large beach and an island
- Carp lake (Šaransko jezero) is not urbanized, and is a good destination for fishing
- New lake (Novo jezero), farthest from the town
- Small lake (Malo jezero)
Exploitation of gravel in the area started in 1904. First, it was dug out manually and transported by horse carts, and later the process was taken over by excavators and railway transport. The gravel was used for roads and river embankments. Abandoned pits were filled by underground waters, creating the lakes. Gravel is still excavated only on the New lake.