Assessment of the Geotouristic Values of Devil's Town, Serbia

Danijela Vukoičić,Danica Srećković-Batoćanin,Dragana Valjarević,Dušan Ristić,Milena Nikolić,Aleksandar Valjarević

doi:10.4154/gc.2021.11

Danijela Vukoičić, Danica Srećković-Batoćanin + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4154/gc.2021.11

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Abstract

Serbia is a country rich in geoheritage with eighty geomorphological sites now under protection. Although a canyon, the site of Devil’s Town is a unique geomorphological site in Serbia and deserves special attention. The geotouristic values of Devil's Town were assessed based on the analysis of its present state and comparison with three similar and nearby geosites on the Balkan Pennisula (the Sand Pyramids in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Stob and Melnik Earth pyramids in Bulgaria). The assessment was performed using a ‘modified geosite assessment model’ (M-GAM), which includes estimation of the main indicators and sub-indicators. Devil's Town has an average level of major and additional values. Indicators show that this geosite has great tourist, scientific and aesthetic value, as well as enough space for improving the ecological and functional values, as a basis for the development of tourism. Devil's Town displays a higher touristic value than the Sand pyramids and slightly lower than the Stob pyramids. However, in comparison with the Melnik Earth pyramids in Bulgaria, its touristic value is significantly lower. This study could serve as a guide for managing development strategies concerning decision-making and engagement in tourism of the analysed geosite, addressing the needs of modern tourists.

Highlights

Serbia is a small European country, it has a rich geo heritage
The main goal of this study is to assess the geotouristic values of Devil’s Town and its comparison with the three simi larly featured and nearby geosites in the Balkans (Sand Pyramids in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Stob and Melnik Earth pyramids in Bulgaria) by applying the modified geosite assessment model’ (M-GAM) model
The Sand pyramids (GS2) and Stob pyramids (GS3) geosites are of significantly lower scientific value

Summary

Introduction

Serbia is a small European country, it has a rich geo heritage. There are numerous geological and geomorphological sites, which are excellent representatives of geodiversity. There are numerous geosites with unique diversity, which can provide authentic and unforgettable experiences to tourists Such an environment pos sesses an outstanding opportunity regarding geotourism deve lopment. Devil’s Town is an excellent representative of rich natu ral heritage and it can potentially represent high geotouristic values being as one of the protected geomorphological geoheritage sites (STANKOVIĆ, 2004) and the most important geomor phological monument of nature in Serbia formed by erosion (RISTIĆ et al, 2018). The occurrence of 202 stony topped Earth pillars (French term ‘’demoiselle’’; North American term ‘’hoodoo’’; in cluding universal terms: ‘’pedestal rocks’’, ‘’rock pinnacles’’; ‘’Earth pinnacles’’, Earth pillars’’, ‘’rock pillars’’; Earth pyra mids) is noteworthy These are rare natural phenomena resem bling very attractive denudation relief forms (gullies are the most dominant forms, including ground-water seepages and scars)

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