On March 24, 2026, Serbia Post issued a series of postage stamps titled "European Nature protection."

The stamps are dedicated to two unique natural sites: the Djerdap National Park and the Stolovi Mountains.

For modern European philately, such issues have long been more than just "nature stamps." They highlight unique natural wonders and serve as a reminder of the need to preserve rare landscapes, local flora, and fauna as part of Europe's natural and cultural heritage in a world that is changing rapidly every year.

Djerdap National Park

The 67-dinar stamp is dedicated to the Djerdap National Park, one of Serbia's most famous natural areas. The park is located along the Danube in the east of the country, near the border with Romania. It is here that the river passes through the famous Iron Gate, a magnificent gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. The stamp depicts one of the characteristic views of Djerdap: rocky slopes, a curved Danube, dense forests, and soft spring light. In 1974, Djerdap National Park was declared a specially protected natural area, and in 2020, it was included in the UNESCO Global Geopark Network.

Stolovi Mountains

The 160-dinar stamp depicts the Stolovi Mountains. They are located in central Serbia, near the town of Kraljevo. This relatively low but very picturesque mountain range features open grassy plateaus, weathered ridges, and sweeping panoramas of the Ibar Valley. Since 2022, the Stolovi Mountains have been a protected area, home to unique oak and beech groves, wild daffodil meadows, and a large number of rare animals and birds.

The Stolovi Wild Horses

Besides their natural beauty, the Stolovi Mountains are also known for their herd of wild horses.

More than 50 years ago, local residents from Žiča, Kamenica, Maglič, and other nearby villages began bringing their horses to the Stolovi mountain pastures for grazing. Over time, some of the horses stayed for the winter, and a small herd of several dozen horses gradually formed, roaming freely in the mountain valleys year-round.

They are descendants of local Bosnian horses and a cross between the Hungarian Nonius breed. These local horses are small in stature and sturdy, characterized by robust health and endurance. They have adapted well to the local environment, although surviving the snowy winters on grass can be challenging. Members of the Stolovi Horse Lovers Association, which comprises approximately seventy members living nearby, visit and feed the horses.

The herd of wild horses on Mount Stolovi is becoming an increasingly popular attraction in Kraljevo, attracting more and more lovers of picturesque nature and beautiful animals year after year.

The artists Miroslav Nikolić and Anamari Banjac created this series of postage stamps. Miroslav Nikolić has long collaborated with Serbia Post and is rightfully considered a master of the "landscape stamp," skillfully conveying a sense of space and the beauty of nature even in small postage stamps. Together, the artists created a harmonious series that feels like a window into the world of Serbian mountains, rivers, fresh air, and the herds of free-ranging Stolovi horses.

The series entered circulation on March 24, 2026. The presentation was attended by representatives of Serbia Post and environmental organizations. A first-day cover and a special cancellation were prepared for the stamp release.

You can find the technical details of the issue in the Catalogue.

Sources: efilatelija.posta.rs