The myth and legend - this swamp has been famous worldwide since the middle of 19^th century when stories of a ‘bird heaven' started. Once a famous ornithological reserve and today a special nature reserve, this vast swamp-forest complex is located along the Sava River in the south of Srem (Vojvodina, Serbia). The greatest value of this area lies in its authentic combination of stagnant tributaries, ponds, pits, swamp vegetation, wet meadows and forests with exceptional diversity of ecosystems and species, especially the endangered ones. Obedska bara is one of few remaining inundated marshes with distinctive features such as: centuries old mixed common oak forests, waterfowl colonies and numerous natural rarities. This swamp actually represents a remnant of the former meander of the Sava River located along its old bed. The main course of this river now lies more to the south. Villages Obrež and Kupinovo are located on the banks of its bed called ‘a horseshoe' because of its shape. The higher, dry-land area, intersected by water depressions and habitats of old oak woods is called ‘Kupinske grede'. Obedska bara is famous for its different marsh and forest habitats, numerous species of mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects and exceptional abundance of flora, ichtyofauna and above all ornithofauna.

Owing to its exceptional natural values Obedska bara has been included in Ramsar Convention list in 1977. It was the first such site in our country. In 1989 it was designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA).