Gradac
Pristine river canyon settlement near Valjevo—otter populations indicate Europe's cleanest waters alongside 13th-century Ćelije Monastery.
Gradac takes its name from the Gradac River that cuts through western Serbia, carving a 22.7-kilometer canyon from the Povlen mountain to Valjevo. The name derives from 'grad' meaning 'fortress' or 'fortified place'—a toponym indicating defensive significance in Serbia's turbulent medieval history. Multiple settlements share this name across Serbia, each marking locations where geography provided natural protection.
The Gradac River itself is one of Europe's cleanest rivers, its water quality evidenced by thriving Eurasian otter populations—an apex indicator species intolerant of pollution. The river's gorge has been designated a Landscape of Outstanding Features, protecting vast geoheritage, extraordinary landscapes, and rich cultural-historical assets. The Ćelije Monastery, believed to date from the 13th century under King Dragutin Nemanjić, sits on the canyon's left bank approximately 6 kilometers southwest of Valjevo, anchoring the region's Orthodox Christian heritage.
Today Gradac functions as both a Valjevo neighborhood and an important tourism destination. The canyon attracts visitors for fishing, hiking, and monastery visits, making environmental protection economically rational as well as ecologically necessary. By 2026, Gradac will continue developing its eco-tourism potential, with the pristine river serving as both economic resource and natural heritage that distinguishes western Serbia from more industrialized regions.