Kopaonik derives its name from the mining of ores. Mining activities on this mountain predate the arrival of the Romans in the region. The name “Kopaonik” first appears in written records in the 12th century in the document “Spomenik male Studenice,” and it is later referenced in various forms such as Caponi, Coponich, Coparenich, and Copono. The 13th century, with the arrival of the Saxons (Germans), marked the beginning of a significant development in mining within Serbian territories, which continued until the mid-15th century. The last functioning mine during the First Serbian Uprising was a silver mine, as silver was the primary product extracted from Kopaonik’s mines. Some mountain peaks, such as Srebrnac located above Brzeće, are named after this silver production. In the 19th century, with the rapid advancement of natural sciences, Kopaonik began to attract the interest of both domestic and foreign scientists. During this period, the mountain came to be appreciated not merely as a mine but as a region of unique biological characteristics. The favorable natural conditions of the Kopaonik massif have fostered the development of a rich and diverse flora and fauna.
Josif Pančić
The greatest scientific significance to Kopaonik was brought by Josif Pančić, who visited and researched many mountains of the then Principality of Serbia. He visited Kopaonik 16 times and did not conceal his profound admiration for this mountain. Pančić first arrived at Kopaonik in 1852 and made his final visit in 1886, at the age of 72. Upon returning from Kopaonik, where he had been with “Lyceum students,” he addressed his students:
“Allow me on this occasion to invoke a beautiful trait of the human spirit and to take you to a splendid region of Serbia, where I have often stayed and studied nature. In every visit, I discovered something new to see or admire. I never left without wishing to return once more, and that is Kopaonik and its foothills.”
