A little over a month ago, with the beginning of hot summer days, one sunday, I was looking for a place where I could hide from the heat. It was a great #weekend-experiences, which I spent outdoor.
Less than 10 km from the part of Belgrade where I live, there is one place, made by human hands, which (in my opinion) deserves to be on my map in #worldmappin.
Next to the Danube river, between two suburban settlements, on the land donated to the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade by the Vukićević family, a model estate was created, as a kind of Center for Education and Research, called "Little Danube".
It is a scientific and educational park for all generations eager to learn something new or to explore the flora and fauna with a focus on the ecosystem of the great Danube River.
If you are not interested in research, you can simply enjoy the beautifully arranged park.
The creators of the park were inspired by the Danube River, so the park, created on the banks of the great river, is largely associated with water.
There are water bodies on all sides, where you can fish, drive a boat, feed the ducks...
The life of man on the banks of the river since the beginning of civilization is shown, and there are also boards with very well explained steps of the evolution of nature and man, as well as information boards with animals and plants that can be seen in the park.
Apart from research and learning, you can also have a lot of fun in the park.
You can enjoy boating or fishing. If you don't have your own fishing rods, don't worry, you can rent them at the ticket counter and buy some juice or coffee. They don't offer food, so those who plan a full-day stay must think about it when they go on an excursion.
We arrived around noon. After buying our tickets, we went in search of a corner in the shade where we could enjoy our drinks.
There was also time to take a nap.
The benches we found are located next to the building that houses the aquariums, with some specimens of fish that inhabit the Danube.
The classroom with aquariums is equipped with small chairs, so I believe it is designed for group visits of children. Since it was empty, I visited the aquariums and photographed some fish specimens that were interested in posing.
Interested in posing were also this peacock, parrots, a lizard, as well as a pair of degu.
I had to photograph the other members of this animal farm only in passing.
One big bull, a family of sheep, one goat and a big goat, a horse, donkeys, pygmy goats, and the most difficult thing was to capture a group of ducks and geese that were walking freely in their yard.
I didn't have to chase only the turtles 🙂
If we exclude the animals, in this park, the biggest attraction in my opinion is the setting of the settlement of prehistoric man/fishermen.
On just 140 km of the Danube river course through Serbia, from Vinča, through Starčevo to Lepenski Vir, three cultures were discovered that represent the cradle of European civilization.
The Lepenski Vir culture dates from the Middle Stone Age, the Mesolithic (10,000 to 5,000 years BC), and the Starčevo and Vinča cultures from the Younger Stone Age (Neolithic 4,500 years BC).
Models of the houses where people from these times lived were made, from caves to houses made of branches, reeds and mud. In those objects, tools and vessels that accompanied the life of the man at that time are displayed.
By following the information from the posted boards, one can easily gain an insight into the progress in human evolution.
Right next to this settlement, a wooden structure was built that is used for rest and play, with swings, deckchairs, as well as a part with a fishing area, which looks like the fence of a fortress from BC, from some old kingdoms or the Roman Empire.
Particularly interesting are the "River islands", which can only be reached by hanging bridges made of ropes and planks.
Crossing them, you can understand how much dexterity was needed by the man who crossed them, because with every step, the bridge sways so much that there is a danger of tipping over.
On one of the islands there is a model of a fisherman's house.
As well as one corral, with dwarf goats. This little goat ordered to play with me and push my hand with his head.
His horns were cut (or his horns were broken, but the urge for rivalry still remained in him).
I will make this post as a photo gallery, with which I will recommend a tour of the park to everyone who is nearby or passing by.
When the weather is nice, from spring to autumn (and the best in June, July or August), you won't go wrong if you stop by here for a few hours.
If you bring a basket of food with you, you can spend the whole day, and you can also be a guest at a birthday party, which is organized here under a clear sky.
I believe that children's birthday parties are a real adventure that is arranged for all guests (primarily children), who will not lose interest in this place at any moment of the day.
I know that, because I didn't lose interest either, and the time I spent in "Mali Dunav" went by very quickly.