The Legends

Strangely formed, and even more strangely organized earthen figures, the wilderness of the erosive formation, the water of strange smell and taste, mystic and mysterious atmosphere created by the acoustic effects of the wind, have influenced the locals to name the site “Devil’s Town” and explain all these odd natural occurrences by the legends that have been created throughout centuries. There are many legends about “Devil’s Town”, and the most common are mentioned below.


According to the first legend, long time ago, this area was inhabited by humble, calm and religious people. This annoyed the devil so he made “Devil’s Water” to make them forget their lineage. As the inhabitants drank the water, they arranged a marriage between a brother and a sister. The devil’s plan was interrupted by the fairy who, according to the legend, still keeps this area under her protection. The fairy could not reason with them, so the bride and the groom were on their way to church. At that moment, the fairy started praying to somehow end the incest. God heard her prayer and joined the earth with the sky, then the cold wind blew and God turned the wedding guests into stone.



According to the second legend, earthen figures represent stone devils. These evil devils have been carried by people on their backs for a long time, suffering misfortunes. The people managed to get rid of them after spending a night in the vicinity of St. Petka Church, which is situated near the earthen figures

7wonders/djavolja varos/

7wonders/djavolja varos/

The Soil Figures

In the south of Serbia, 27 km south-east of Kursumlija, lies a first-class natural landmark – Djavolja Varos (”Devil’s Town”). Two rare natural phenomena at the same spot: 202 stone formations created by erosion, between two and 15 meters in height and the middle diameter of under 1 m, topped by stone blocks weighing as much as 100 kg, appearing unreal and yet lasting for centuries, and two springs of extremely acid water (pH 1,5) with high mineral content (15 g/l; content of some elements even 1000 times as high as in ordinary drinking waters) make Djavolja Varos a true wonder of nature.
The natural surrounding area adds to the attraction of these two wonders, depicting a rather harsh, almost mystical atmosphere, but at the same time picturesque and timid, just like the remains of the town, old church, cemetery, and several interesting mines.


Djavolja Varos has been put under protection of the state in 1959, while in 1995, by the Decision of the Serbian Government, it was declared the natural good of an outstanding importance, giving it the first-category level of protection – NATURAL MONUMENT. Thus, the whole 67 hectares of its territory are protected.

mineral woter

mineral woter

Mineral Water

Another natural rarity in “Devil’s Town” are two springs of extraordinary properties. “Devil’s Water” (“Djavolja voda”), which is located in vicinity of these earthen figures, is a cold and extremely acid spring (pH 1.5) of high mineral concentration (15 g/l of water), springing out in “Devil’s Gully”. In comparison to drinking water, it is 10 to 1000 times richer in minerals (aluminium, iron, potassium, copper, nickel, sulphur, and alaun). “Red Well” (“Crveno vrelo”) is another spring located downstream, in the alluvial plain, 400 m away from the first spring. Its water (pH 3.5) is less acid and has a lower general mineral concentration (4.372 mg/l of water). Because of the flat terrain, its water overflows in a very thin layer and runs into a bed of the nearby yellow stream. Due to the oxidation of iron, which is contained in water in large amounts, an attractive red terrace in the form of a fan is created.


Such waters are very rarely found in the world. They are similar only to two waters in Italy (Levico and Roncello), and three in Russia (Zubinskije, Bljavinskije, Karabasskije).

DJAVOLJA VAROS 7 WONDERS

DJAVOLJA VAROS 7 WONDERS

In the south of Serbia, 27 km south-east of Kursumlija, lies a first-class natural landmark – Djavolja Varos (”Devil’s Town”). Two rare natural phenomena at the same spot: 202 stone formations created by erosion, between two and 15 meters in height and the middle diameter of under 1 m, topped by stone blocks weighing as much as 100 kg, appearing unreal and yet lasting for centuries, and two springs of extremely acid water (pH 1,5) with high mineral content (15 g/l; content of some elements even 1000 times as high as in ordinary drinking waters) make Djavolja Varos a true wonder of nature.
The natural surrounding area adds to the attraction of these two wonders, depicting a rather harsh, almost mystical atmosphere, but at the same time picturesque and timid, just like the remains of the town, old church, cemetery, and several interesting mines.


Djavolja Varos has been put under protection of the state in 1959, while in 1995, by the Decision of the Serbian Government, it was declared the natural good of an outstanding importance, giving it the first-category level of protection – NATURAL MONUMENT. Thus, the whole 67 hectares of its territory are protected.