Povlen is not understood, it is felt
Where clouds descend lower than your gaze, and time seems to forget to move, rises Povlen — a mountain that does not call loudly, but whispers deeply to those who know how to listen. Not far from Valjevo, in the heart of western Serbia, Povlen stretches like a magical woolen rug, embroidered with forests, meadows, and old stories still carried in hushed tones.
This is not just a mountain for walking and rest. It is a place where nature holds something ancient, something not easily explained. And therein lies its charm — Povlen is not understood, it is felt.
The Stone Spheres – autor Boško Kozarski
The Stone Spheres – autor Boško Kozarski
The Stone Spheres – autor Dragan Pantelić
The Secret of the Stone Spheres
One of Povlen’s greatest mysteries lies in its famous — and unexplained — stone spheres. Hidden deep within the woods, nestled among trees and moss, lie massive, perfectly round stone formations, whose origins remain a mystery. Natural phenomenon or the work of an ancient civilization? Both scientists and folk legends remain without a definitive answer.
Locals call them “earthly stars” and believe they carry healing energy. Some say they guard portals to other worlds; others see them as signs of extraterrestrial presence. Whatever you choose to believe, one thing is certain — when you stand beside these spheres, beneath the pines and oaks, you are wrapped in a silence that carries the weight of centuries. And you cannot help but wonder: what else does Povlen hide?
The paths of Povlen lead into valleys, to streams and waterfalls, but one trail veers toward a place whose name stirs both curiosity and chills across Serbia — the mill of Sava Savanović.
Near the village of Zarožje, on the bank of the Rogačica River, stands an old watermill once believed to be the home of Serbia’s most famous vampire — Sava Savanović. According to legend, made famous by Milovan Glišić’s short story “After Ninety Years”, Sava killed millers at night who came to grind their grain, and no one ever slept safely within those walls.
Today, the mill is a tourist attraction, but the spirit of the story still hangs in the air. At sunset, when shadows lengthen, even the boldest travelers lower their voices. Not because they believe in vampires — but because here, the past and the present seem to touch.
Sava’s Mill – A Shadow from Legend
Povlen — More Than Nature
Povlen is not a mountain of dramatic peaks or tourist crowds. It is not meant for those seeking comfort or instant selfies. Povlen is for those in search of something deeper: silence, peace, a retreat from civilization — and a touch of mystery. It is a place where you might pass a rock or a stream and feel as though something is watching you. Not with ill intent, but as a guardian of ancient tales.
There are no souvenir shops or loudspeakers here. But you will find the sound of branches bending in the wind, the breath of the earth beneath the canopy, and the sensation that you are standing in a place that remembers more than it tells.
Povlen is not a mountain for everyone. But if you yearn for journeys that become quests for the unknowable, if you believe that magic hides in the most ordinary stone or shadow — then Povlen is what you’ve been searching for. And perhaps something even more.
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