Josif Pančić
The first researcher on Kopaonik and its “foothills” as he calls it, is Josif Pančić (1814 -1888). Botanist, physician and scientist who knew the best and first described the flora of Serbia in that period. Born under the Velebit, mountain fascination he found on Kopaonik, which he visited 16 times (the last time at the age of 72). He worked as a professor of the Great School since 1853 and for 40 years has published 42 scientific works in the field of botany, geology and zoology. Josif Pančić gained European recognition and fame by discovering special types of wood – spruce. In search of the first knowledge of it for more than 10 years, in 1877 on mountain Tara he found the spruce, which is named after him Pančić’s spruce.
The first rector of the High School, President of Serbian royal academy, honorary member of the Serbian Archaeological Society, Serbian Medical Society and the Bavarian Society naturalists, are just some of the positions and honors of this great scientist. For his work he received the Order of St. Save first degree, Takovski Cross and the cross of the Red Cross Society. Certainly the biggest medal and recognition he received from the members of SASA and mountaineers of Serbia by burying him on his beloved Kopaonik. The casket of Serbian spruce with remains of Josif Pančić and his wife Mileva was buried on July 7, 1951 in the mausoleum at the top of Kopaonik, which since then bears the name of this famous and renowned Serbian scientist (Pančić’s peak 2,017 m).
Dr Milorad Milošević – Brevinac
Acclaimed Serbian explorer, naturalist and ethnologist who has explored Kopaonik as well as other mountains of Serbia and Montenegro, was born in 1907 in Raška. He graduated from the Teacher’s College in Skopje and ethnology studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade. Doctoral dissertation, “Traffic in the countryside in Serbia”, he defended at the University of Ljubljana. He was an associate of the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences. He worked as a teacher in Rudnici. In the thirties of the last century, Brevinac brought the first skiers to Kopaonik. He was determined to be a member of the Supervisory Board for the construction of a mountain lodge in 1935 on Kopaonik. He is famous for its numerous written publications on Kopaonik, illustrated by his own photographs. One of these issues is the book “White Kopaonik”, issued in 1968.
House of Milorad Miloševic Brevinac was built in 1958 beside the trail Mašinac. In the memorial room there is the ethno collection exhibited, collected in the areas of Kopaonik. Raška Municipality in 2007 marked 100 years since the birth of Milorad Miloševic in the event, “Raška spiritual ceremony” with the opening of the photo exhibition to commemorate Brevinac, promotion of the book “White Kopaonik” and the presentation of documentary film, “Brevinac”.
The memorial bust of Milorad Miloševic Brevinac on Kopaonik is placed in front of the city hall “Villa Raška”, with the inscription: “The man of the region who opened the door of Kopaonik tourism”. He died in 1983.
2019