Rast: Springs, Pastureland and Settlement History

Rast combines its location in Golija Nature Park with a landscape of water, forest and pastureland, as well as a history with several different points of reference. The entire cadastral municipality of Rast, in the area of the city of Novi Pazar, lies within Golija Nature Park; a total area of 5,891 ha is given for the included area. The area of Rast is subject to a third-degree protection regime within the park. This provides both the protected-area location and the history of the settlement to help you orient yourself.

A landscape between streams, springs and pastureland

Rast lies below Golija and in the headwaters of Kuzmičevski Potok, a tributary of Dmitrova Reka. Above the village road in Rast are pastureland and forest; Odvraćenicko Polje on Golija is also counted among Rast’s forest and pastureland. Studenac is a powerful spring in Rast. The area’s geographical features thus extend from its spring and stream system to its forests and pastureland. This gives you a practical distinction to consider when planning your trip: are you most interested in the waterways and spring, or in the forest and pastureland landscape?

Golija: Waterways and protected areas

In the wider natural region of Golija, most flowing waters belong to the salmonid region, a fish-ecological classification. The flowing waters in the Studenica and Moravica catchment areas, as well as those of other smaller tributaries, carry large volumes of water even during low-water periods; brown trout are predominant there. Golija was designated as part of the international Emerald ecological network (RS0000030), as an Important Plant Area (IPA), as an internationally and nationally important bird area (RS029IBA), and as a selected area for butterflies (PBA 09), owing to its many plant and animal species of national and international importance and to protect priority habitat types. Thus, the natural perspective encompasses not only aquatic ecology but also the protection of plants, birds and butterflies.

Settlement history across several periods

The old settlement of Rast was located in Stari Rast. A Turkish census list recorded Rast in 1455 under the name R’s, with the addition bosje. According to local tradition, Rast was settled by newcomers at the end of the 18th century. The 1455 entry is a dated mention of the place; the account of settlement belongs to local tradition about the late 18th century. A necropolis is recorded at Vražica in Rast. These historical references offer different insights into the area’s history, from its early mention to the settlement described in local tradition.

Which focus suits your trip?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Rast, it helps to start with one question: would you like to get to know the local features of Rast, or are you more interested in the wider landscape and protected-area context of Golija? This distinction connects your choice of accommodation with the scale at which you plan your trip.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Mataruška Banja, Metikoš, Kraljevo, Plešin, Bogutovac, Novi Pazar, Goč, Lopatnica

For the higher-level travel overview: Raška District.