The paper presents the results of the field studies of spontaneously abandoned settlements in the Republic of Serbia. Out of 20 analysed settlements, 8 were listed as completely abandoned at the latest Census (2002), while others have been detected in the field, subsequent to the Census. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part, the spatial distribution of spontaneously abandoned settlements is analysed, as well as the components of their geographical position. Three main spatial units of the studied settlements are differentiated: (a) the area along the administrative border between central Serbia and the Autonomous province Kosovo and Metohija; (b) mountains Stara Planina and Burel; and (c) the regions of Vlasina and Krajište. Three components of geographical position are analysed: mathematical-geographical, physio-geographical and administrative-political. Apart from these spatial components, geographical position is analysed in relation to historical circumstances that affected the genesis and evolution of the studied settlements. .