In this case it is an unambiguous term by the local population for these types of natural rock bridges, vaults and gates.

[5] The Vratna monastery itself, today a female convent, was established in the 14th century by the monk Nicodemus of Tismana.

Some of the earliest Serbian geographers also researched the formation, Vladimir Karić and Jovan Cvijić, who explored the gates in the late 19th century.

[1] Professors from the University of Belgrade Geography Faculty, Dragan Petrović and Dušan Gavrilović, accurately measured the gates.

[1] Other wildlife include roe deer, wild boar, marten, otter, badger, and red fox.

[1] As with the rest of eastern Serbia, the local population has numerous magical myths about the gates and the nearby caves.

Demons from the other side lurked behind the gates, and could be held there and prevented to cross into our world only by proper rituals.