Košutnjak, Belgrade

Košutnjak is a renowned park-forest and urban neighborhood in Belgrade, encompassing parts of the Čukarica and Rakovica municipalities. Together with the adjoining Topčider, it is affectionately known as "Belgrade's oxygen factory" due to its extensive green areas. The 1923 Belgrade plan aimed for a green space from Senjak to Košutnjak. By the 1930s, it became the city's biggest forested area.

The name Košutnjak, first recorded in 1831, originates from medieval times when it was a hunting ground for Serbian nobility, meaning "doe's breeder" in Serbian (košuta meaning doe). Until World War I, does roamed freely in the area.

In the 19th century, Košutnjak was a fenced royal hunting ground and excursion site for the Obrenović dynasty. Atanasije Nikolić, an engineer, urbanist, and professor, was tasked with arranging the forest, and also contributing to the development of Topčider Park and various city avenues. By 1849, the area boasted a rich oak forest and was home to 48 deer. The first railway in Serbia, connecting Belgrade and Niš, was constructed through Košutnjak in 1884. In 1908, Belgian architect Alban Chambon proposed an urban plan that transformed Košutnjak into a public park.

Today, Košutnjak is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, with 521 plant species including lime tree, pedunculate oak, common hornbeam, and several types of oak, among others. Conifers such as cedar, black pine, and white pine make up about 5% of the forest. The average age of the trees is estimated at 60-70 years, and recent reforestation efforts in 2015 added 4,400 seedlings of common ash and sycamore to the park. Animal inhabitants include squirrels, hedgehogs, woodpeckers, and bats.

As one of Belgrade's most popular recreational areas, Košutnjak offers various amenities. The Sports Center Košutnjak, covering 40 hectares, is one of the largest and most diverse sports centers in the city. The park also includes an auto camp, modern residential areas, numerous popular restaurants, and well-maintained paths throughout the forest.