A Portal in Granite and Green: How Nebeske Stolice Spoke to Me Through the Taste of Abundance
Wandering through Kopaonik, the heart of the Balkan mountains, it is easy to fall into the illusion that we already know the space around us. Yet, true magic begins where the well-trodden paths end, and the earth starts to vibrate at an entirely different frequency. During one of my recent treks, intuition and local signs guided me towards a place with a mystical name – Nebeske Stolice (The Heavenly Chairs).
For those seeking geographical reference points: this is a unique archaeological site rising to an altitude of 1,913 metres above sea level, nestled just below Kopaonik’s highest peak (Pančićev vrh). Historically, it is an extraordinary place – a Roman settlement existed here in the 3rd and 4th centuries, and during the early Christian period, a basilica dedicated to Saint Procopius, the patron saint of miners, was erected. The ancients chose such spots for a reason. They are natural transmitters of energy, suspended between heaven and earth, where the sacred blends with the raw power of nature.
As I left behind the first peaks surrounding the Kopaonik valley, situated at around 2,000 metres above sea level, the landscape began to evolve rapidly. The gravel road grew narrower, and the harshness of the mountains gave way to deep, luscious greenery. At that exact moment, I felt a distinct shift in the vibration of the space. A wave of pure vigour flooded my body, and my heart was filled with boundless joy from being at one with the surrounding nature. It is fascinating how high mountain regions can instantly recharge our internal batteries.
Walking further, I experienced the definition of cosmic manifestation and limitless abundance. This entire mountainous, green expanse was covered alternately by creeping juniper with its black berry-cones and endless carpets of ripe, ready-to-be-picked wild blueberries. When my stomach, completely empty after my morning meal, signalled the need for energy, Mother Earth provided me with the perfect, purest fuel in the spirit of HCLFLP. This late-afternoon snacking straight from the bush, bathed in full sunlight, felt like a sacred ritual of nourishing both body and soul with the very essence of life.
Nebeske Stolice itself opened up a breathtaking view before me. It is a powerful vantage point from which – layer upon layer – subsequent mountain ranges emerged, fading away somewhere on the horizon.
In this setting, I encountered local blueberry pickers. They worked using special combs. Although I initially wondered about the ethical side of this method, a quick observation reassured me: the bushes remained intact, losing only a tiny fraction of leaves and short stems. These people proved to be incredibly friendly, radiating simple, pure empathy. And though the language barrier might have seemed like an obstacle – a Pole and a Serb each speaking their own language – we managed to weave a beautiful, intuitive semblance of conversation from single, similar-sounding words. We connected at the heart level, rising above the divisions of the system.
I began my unhurried return to catch the evening bus from Kopaonik to Vikend Naselje. More than four hours of peaceful, mindful walking left me with a deep sense of contentment, stillness, and the feeling that I am exactly where I am meant to be. The Balkans are opening their most beautiful, hidden portals to me.
Photos:
Ginkgo & Gaia
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