Locals, and especially foreigners, feared the forest that hid many dangers for ages. It was an ideal place for fugitives who intercepted and robbed passengers who travelled the narrow roads surrounded by forest. Their victims spread creepy stories of their cruelty, so the forest was given a name- Crna Paka (Black Paka).
Apart from the outlaws, Paka hid old, mystical forts and legends. The legend of the Gradišče fort, that is believed to have been built in the Roman times, tells the story of a beautiful girl who became a victim of a curse. She was turned into a snake holding the golden keys of the city in her mouth. The only one who could have saved her during the full moon was a young miller.
This old legend has come to life among the locals again when the reconstruction of the fort was started and an enormous snake came out from under the stone…still waiting for her miller?