Stories and legends of Provala

We have found no written legends about Provala itself, so here we collect the stories people tell about the lake and those that have been written down. Know an older tale? Write to us.

An 86-kilogram catfish

The anglers of Vajska remember a catfish of 86 kg and 2.6 m, a 27 kg carp caught by the late Stipan Margić and pike of 8–9 kg (Bač vesti). In March 2024 Bojan Bojanić from Zrenjanin landed a huge silver carp here (Bač vesti).

“The Copacabana of Vajska”

That is what locals call the beach, laid out in 2011 (edukacija.rs).

Swimming for the Holy Cross

At Orthodox Epiphany people swim for the Holy Cross at Provala; in 2026 it was on 19 January at noon (Bač Tourist Organisation).

A legend next door

Five minutes from the lake is Bođani Monastery. According to legend, Bogdan, a merchant from Dalmatia, went blind near the Danube, regained his sight at a nearby spring and in 1478 built the monastery (Wikipedia). More on vajska.rs.

How Lake Provala was formed

Provala formed when the Danube broke through an embankment near Vajska in a great flood: sources give 1924 or 1926, and the lake took its present shape after the 1965 flood.

The lake · water

The water of Lake Provala and its link to the Danube

Provala is fed by rain, groundwater and the Danube, and its level follows the river. A 1995 test rated the water first class, pH 8.5–8.6.