Montenegro
is not only an excellent choice for your holidays, Montenegro has many other
remarkable characteristics: history, culture, tradition, good weather
conditions, clean air, beautiful nature, blue Adriatic Sea ... Everyone
should visit Montenegro sometime. This little country is part of the Balkans
and part of the Mediterranean, near Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy and
Albania. Despite its small size there are so many contrasts and so much
natural beauty. Don't forget to take your camera because in Montenegro every
view is like a photo from you dreams. You don't even need to stage your
photos; just click and you can put the most beautiful photos from your
holidays in your album
Montenegro is certainly one of the most
interesting spots in the world. Even though it covers solely around 14.000
km2 and it only has about 670.000 citizens, its contribution to the world
cultural heritage is impressive comparing its size ... Montenegro is a
southern European and a Mediterranean country. It is one of the most
southern European states and it comes out on the south part of the Adriatic
Sea. About 500km from Rome, 1.500 km from Paris, and Berlin, and about
2.000km west from Moscow, Montenegro lies on the Balkan Peninsula in the
very heart of Europe.
Montenegro is certainly one of the most interesting places in the world.
Even though it covers solely around 14.000 km2 and it only has about 670.000
citizens, its contribution to the world cultural heritage is impressive
comparing its size. During centuries of its rich history Montenegro has
survived and remained one of the brightest models for the fight for freedom,
for its own existence, and a place of which people always spoke with
respect. Christian, Muslim, Illyrian, Byzantine, Turkish, and Slav
civilizations merged here making Montenegro forever a crossroad of culture
and history.
Montenegro has changed its name many times, from the Latin era under the
mane of Prevalis, to the medieval state Zeta, and then to the modern name
Crna Gora (MONTENEGRO). As the name changed, so did the land, thanks to the
influence of all the civilizations which for a shorter or longer period
settled the territory of Montenegro, turning it into a mosaic of cultural
heritage. Even today, Montenegors mosaic of cultural heritage is its most
valuable aspect.
Some will
say that its name, Crna Gora (MONTENEGRO), was brought by the seamen for
whom from the open sea seemed cragged and dark, because immediately above
the warm shores rose mountains and crags intersected with gorges. Others
would say that its name was given by its enemies, because of the bad luck
which would strike everyone trying to conquer it, in some long gone days.
The truth lies that the country carries its name by those who made it a
state – the dynasty Crnojevic. Along with the dynasty of Petrovic they have
remained the founders of a modern, small but proud, country in the
Mediterranean.
***
Montenegro is one of the oldest European states. Maybe its name, Montenegro
– as it sounds in the majority of world languages, will trick you into
thinking that it is a country of South America. But if you look around the
European map, one will discover that Europe with its entire national,
cultural, and historically – geographical diversity hides a small, but in
many ways special and attractive state in it.
Montenegro is a south European and a Mediterranean country. It is one of the
most southern European states and faces the south part of the Adriatic Sea.
About 500km from Rome, 1.500 km from Paris, and Berlin, and about 2.000km
west from Moscow, Montenegro lies on the Balkan Peninsula in the very heart
of Europe.
It lies
between 41° 51’ i 43° 30’ of the north geographic width, and between 18° 26’
i 20° 21’ of east geographic length. The most southern point is located in
the mouth of river Bojana in the Adriatic Sea, and the most northern point
is found deep in the continental part not far from the junction of the three
borders between Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Even though the distance
between these two points is only 190 km, between the Mediterranean climate
of the south and the cruel mountain peaks of north it as if there is an
entire world. Because of this reason Montenegro is called a land of 6
continents. Geographic and climate diversity and its geographic position
make Montenegro a destination which will offer you a morning bath in the
waters of the Mediterranean and afternoon skiing like the one in the Alps.
As a
Balkan country Montenegro is found on the crossroad between Europe and Asia.
If we add the fact that on its 290 km of coast Montenegro, over the Adriatic
and Mediterranean Sea, comes out onto the world ocean, then one has to speak
of it as of an extremely important country for this part of Europe. Knowing
this, it is not strange that the numerous civilizations were drawn to both
the fertile plains and the coastal zone of Montenegro. Each of them left
their mark of existence. On a small territory, you will meet the colonnades
and aqueducts of antique civilizations, minarets and Turkish spas, the
remains of the Ottoman Empire, medieval Christian architecture and painting
on one side, and modern urban architecture with which Montenegro enters the
XXI century, on the other side. Even though small, with only 411 km of state
borders, Montenegro opens towards Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania
and Croatia as their land neighbors, while through its territorial sea it
shares its existence with all those states that have coasts.
The seas,
as roads of connection between states and people, have always been of great
importance. Montenegro, from the moment when it took out its liberty in the
World Sea knew how to take advantages of the Adriatic. Since the Berlin
congress in the end of the XIX century, Montenegro had its fleet and seamen
who continued the tradition of the famous Boka maritime customs. Today, for
Montenegro, the exit on the sea is the most important part of its strategic
policy for the development of tourism. What the south Adriatic gave in the
regard of nature and climate, Montenegro today refines with an excellent
tourist offer, so it is not a wonder why, in such a short time it reached
the top the list of countries which achieve (percentage wise) the highest
advance in the number of tourist who visit it per year.
Montenegro lies on solely 13.812 km2, and it owns also 4.800 km2 of the
surface of the Adriatic Sea. In Europe the only countries that are smaller
than Montenegro are: Andorra, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Vatican, Monaco, and
San Marino. But, if you look the diversity of its geography, and remember
the long and rich history, our county will appear to you as one of the
greatest. Its 650.000 citizens, and a dozen of cultures which together
construct a picture of Montenegro as a multiethnic and multicultural
country, maybe its greatest treasure which will capture your attention.
South of
Croatia, just few hours from Dubrovnik starts Montenegro, which on its
southern side will border with Albania, on the mouth of the river Bojana, on
a gorgeous Ulcinj Riviera. So, on a just 60 km of the Adriatic coast you can
see the picturesque Dubrovnik in Croatia, with the international airport
Cilipi, and the most southern Montenegrin Adriatic town, Herceg Novi. If one
knows that not far from Herceg Novi there is airport Tivat, then this is for
sure the space from which you can begin your travel. With numerous tourist
tours and trips, you should single out few days of your holiday for the old
European town – republic Dubrovnik, and also for Herceg Novi with its VII
century of existence. Extremely attractive architecture which was made under
the influence of the Spanish, Venetian, French, and Austro–Hungarian design
are the best enticements to visit both towns.
Almost
300 km of the Montenegrin shore lies Italy, and there is regular ferry
traffic towards the harbors in Bari and Ancona. If you are staying in one of
those two towns, for just a few hours, you can find yourself in Bar or in
Kotor, the most important Montenegrin harbors.
In the
north, the border towards Serbia, massifs mountains spread which merge with
those in Bosnia, Serbia and Albania. Beside the exquisite possibilities for
the development of mountain tourism, Montenegro is a very important factor
in the traffic connection of the East Balkan with the warm seas.
Through
the integration processes, Montenegro is becoming the full right member of
the South-Eastern Association of states. Its political and strategic
position and peace loving orientation make it a factor of stability in the
region, and a partner for bigger and more powerful countries. As a young
state, in terms of independence, in just a few months it managed to get the
acceptance from the North–Atlantic International Institution, which gave
hope to the goal of the Montenegro state – to preserve itself and its
cultural identity, and to in a best possible way contribute, with its
existence, to the progress of the entire region.
On the
world tourist map Montenegro today is one of the most interesting places. If
you see video clips on CNN, Euro News, or on some other well known TV
station of a country where in which one can ski on the sea as well as in the
mountains during the same time of year one would naturally assume that we
are talking about a large country that spans across several climate and
geographical zones to make the above possible. On a small territory, in the
scope of only about 100 kilometers these zones merge in an unrepeatable
experience for every visitor. Not far from the already mentioned Herceg
Novi, on a few kilometers away Mountain Subra, almost over the entire year
there is a snow cover suitable for skiing!
In only
24 yours you can experience exotic tropic plants the equivalent of Greece
and alpine plants the equivalent of Switzerland. For a biologist all those
2.833 plant species and sub species will be fascinating, of which 22 can
only be found in Montenegro, and nowhere else in the world. There are also
4 national parks, one of the last rainforests, the deepest canyon in the
world after Colorado, and a place called Crkvice with the highest amoun of
rainfall per square meter in all of Europe: all exiting for both travelers
and climate expert. This is the land of the most southern bay of glacial
origin, the cleanest river in Europe, the biggest lake on the Balkans, the
longest underground river in the world, and of many other interesting
things. On just 0.14% of the surface of Europe, the concentration of the
geographic, historical, cultural, and natural resources is such that you
will come back to Montenegro all your life, to meet a new side of her again
and again.
When one
should present Montenegro and answer the question where is Montenegro,
inescapably one has to start from her shore. Spreading across the south
Italy, on the east shores of the Adriatic Sea, 293, 5 km of the Montenegrin
coast offers you diversity and variety just like the rest of the state. If
we start from the south, the first thing that will await us will be the 13
km long beach in Ulcinj, which is often called a Copacabana of Europe. From
the north, also big beach Becici, both geography and history documents that
this beach was proclaimed the most beautiful European beach as far back as
1930.
Mediterranean architecture which is characteristic for the Old town is most
beautiful in Budva, Kotor, and Herceg Novi, which put Montenegro on a center
of the map with valuable cultural and religious monuments.
Montenegro together with Italy is the widest part of the so called Strait of
Otranto. The distance is about 200 km, so Italy was and remained the closest
partner of Montenegro regarding sea trade. The connections of these two
countries for sue are the strongest in this part of Europe, not only because
of the fact that they are connected with the Adriatic sea, but also because
of history in which Princess Jelena became the wife of Vitorio Emanuel – the
future Italian King, Montenegro and Italy became closer. Since her marriage
the Princess was better know as Princess Jelena of Savoy and she contributed
not just to rapprochement of the dynasty homes of Italy and Montenegro, but
also to connection of the people and states themselves. Somewhat older
citizens of Italy speak with high regard of the Montenegrin princess, who
beside the love of her own people shared the same emotion towards the
Italian people.
The
Adriatic Sea is one of the cleanest and most crystal clear ones in the
world, whose flora and fauna can be just another invitation in line of many.
The Adriatic hides many secrets and memories. On several locations only this
summer the existence of several antient sanken ships was discovered, so do
not be surprised by the fact that in this part of the Adriatic almost every
year precious amphorae, often filled with wine, then valuable monuments of
passed times such as jewelry, and coins which were often a part of the
piracy plunder, are brought onto the surface from the sea bottom. The town
of Ulcinj for example was one of the most famous piracy centers during the
passed centuries. An extreme quality of this part of the Adriatic Sea is the
one that it is characterized by extremely warm currents, and a still not
completely discovered riefes at its bottom, which will intrigue every fun of
the underwater tourism. Montenegro is often visited by marine biologists and
students, and recently Montenegro is becoming known by short movies about
the underwater world of the south Adriatic. The coast is rich with olive
groves, among which you will find trenches from the time of Jesus Christ. A
rich fish world was and remaines the source of life of South of Montenegro.
Bigger
towns on the shore, observed from the south, are Ulcinj, a medieval
fortification which is surrounded by many romantic legends and stories about
people who have visited it, defended it and conquered it. This is the town
of the most beautiful legend, the one about the origin of Don Kihot, and his
love towards Dulsineja, a girl from Ulcinj. The warmest Adriatic town will
not stop fascinating you with its rich and intact nature as well as with its
rich history; Bar, the center of early medieval culture, and the biggest
harbor in this part of the Mediterranean. The old part of the town is a
pearl of Montenegro, and a place which you have to visit in order to fully
and completely sense the atmosphere of the passed times which are preserved
even today in the XXI century. Today it is a Mediterranean diverse town,
because of the influence of all those civilizations for which it was an
irreplaceable coastal center. If we continue towards the north in the
vicinity of Bar, we will come across the ruined of the famous monastery on
the cape Ratac, in which Jelena Anzujska erected a basilica, from which one
can see one of the highest medieval towns Nehaj.
Nehaj
which was built by Venetians and fortified by the Turks. Further on are the
smaller places such as Petrovac and Milocer which are characterized by the
extremely mild climate and olive groves and then comes the capital of
Montenegrin tourism, Budva. Budva, which with its Riviera is one of the most
beautiful Mediterranean tourist centers, today is the pearl in the Adriatic
coast. The town – hotel Sveti Stefan, grandiose hotel Splendid, the island
tourist complex Sveti Nikola, popularly called Hawaii, with two and a half
thousands year old history of the town, are a real trademark of Budva
Riviera, which is characterized by yearly temperatures which are equal to
those in the French and Italian Riviera. Kotor, a town under the protection
of UNESCO, for sure is one of the MUST VISIT places in Montenegro. Today it
is one of the most visited Adriatic lodgments and almost an unavoidable part
of any kind of program of the Mediterranean cruise. Exquisite architecture,
a great number of Gothic, Romanic, renascence, and baroque style make it,,
along with Dubrovnik, the most interesting town on the east Adriatic coast.
Herceg Novi, the most northtern Montenegrin Adriatic town, gradually raised
above the gorgeous entrance into the bay of Boka Kotorska, remembers
Spanish, French, Austro – Hungarian, Otoman and Venetian empires, so the
influence of all of these civilizations is felt even today in the culture of
Herceg Novi. This is a town with almost 300 sunny days in a year, with
average yearly temperature of 16, 2 C°, and olive groves which can be found
in the 520 m height above the sea level.
A range
of smaller, but equally picturesque settlements which connect bigger cities
of the Montenegrin shore, such as Rezevici, Perast, Prcanj, Igalo, are also
interesting places for visit, because in them you can find numerous
monasteries, airy spas, and flora which is specific only for this part of
Europe.
Even
though the Montenegrin coast is the most exposed and interesting for summer
tourism, it is just a part of what Montenegro can offer to its tourists,
adventurers, and explorers. Only when you go behind the narrow coastal zone
above which Lovcen, Orjen and Rumija are raising, starts the road of meeting
of the other face of Montenegro. Middle and north Montenegro for someone
will be even more interesting then the coast zone, because it indeed has a
lot to offer.
Between
the Montenegrin coast and mountain lays the middle part of the Republic,
which hides River Crnojevic, Skadar Lake, major city of Montenegro, its
capital, and its prairies. On just 40 minutes away, Podgorica and Cetinj,
the centers of modern and historic Montenegro, you will discover a picture
of what Montenegro was, what is it now, and what it intends to become. Above
the capital Cetinje raises, 1.660m above sea level, a mausoleum dedicated to
the greatest Montenegrin poet – warrior, Njegos; the heighest situated
mausoleum in the world. Cetinje is recommended to any visitor for: the
Cetinje monastery (which keeps one of the three greatest Christian
sanctities, the hand of John the Baptist), the castles of the dynasty
Petrovic (where among other things you can find the fist pool table on the
Balkans, in the Billiard Pool Hall), and the museums such as ethnographic or
Njegosev museum (the one belonging to Njegos). In only for a short time you
can travel from this area of history, and come to Podgorica. The major
(present capital) city today is the picture of the Montenegrin state in
general. After the destruction and casualties which it suffered in World War
II in the fight against fascism this hot town grows today in glass in an
administrative center of the entire republic. Skadar Lake with its prevalent
plant and animal species maybe the most interesting segment of Montenegro
for some travelers. If you wish to visit the last domicile of the pelicans,
Montenegro and Skadar Lake are the only place left to do so in the world.
If in
some 60 km of ride you find yourself on the slopes of the snow covered
mountains that means that you are on the way to meet Montenegro in the full
meaning of that word. Intersected with the gorges and canyons which beside
the geographic have the historical significance, this part of Montenegro
most persistently preserves its secrets and it is just on its way to be
discovered. On the rivers and the peaks you will meet TV crews from all over
the world who are admiring to the waters which they can drink from the flow
of small wells as well as the largest rivers. The canyon of Piva, deep up to
900m in some places, is one of the most picturesque. The bridges that rise
above it, the narrow roads that lie beside it take your breath away and make
everyone who passes there to stop and perpetuate the fight of the man and
nature equally as their co – existence. Piva monastery was moved by carrying
stone by stone to its new location when the great hydro-electrical power
station was built.
The most
exotic mountain summer vacation place in Montenegro is the National Park
Durmitor rich with lakes, canyons, forests and snow circles. Numerous small
lakes which appeared in the recesses of former glaciers lie in the heights
of 1,400 to 2.200m. Crno jezero (BLACK LAKE) is the well known in the entire
Balkans and not one single visit to Montenegro would be complete without a
visit to the Crno jezero. For the speleologists especially attractive will
be the caves. The most exquisite is the Ledena pecina (ICE CAVE) with the
most beautiful stalactites and stalagmites in this area of the Balkans. They
are made of the everlasting ice of gorgeous shapes and the cave is located
in the height of 1.900 m above sea level. One of the special attractions of
Durmitor is the highest well on the Balkans, on the height of 2.000 m above
sea level – Savina Voda (SAVA’S WATER).
The
greatest tourist center of the region is Zabljak, and this ski resort is
most often visited by the Slovenians, Czechs, Austrians and Italians, who
all have their own ski destinations but come here because of its nature and
tourist potential the highest European standard. Not far from this
Montenegrin village we have the maple grove, a giant tree under whose
treetop more than a hundred people can be placed, so the citizens of this
area of Montenegro are extremely proud of it.
As part
of touring Montenegro a pleasure trip of one of the most beautiful outdoor
spas located in Kolasin 950m above sea level should be included. It is
surrounded by a century old forests, and mountain peaks of Bjelasica, with
exquisite skiing terrains, the best in Montenegro. Biogradsko jezero
(BIOGRADSKO LAKE) is one of the biggest glacier lakes, surrounded by
rainforest with over 50 kinds of trees. It is interesting that in the winter
months this lake which is considered to be the most beautiful on the Balkan
Peninsula is totally covered with ice.
Montenegrin North, rich with outdoor spas and healing herbs, is a small
island of Europe which will serve as a refuge into a healthy and natural
life and give you your strength back with the freshness which nature brings,
and a warmness its people emit, here like nowhere else in the world. Here
the guest is king, and a visit to any household will be a holiday in which
you will be able you try the meals that can be found on the table solely in
this part of the world and a culinary experience prepared by our Montenegrin
host from the village like no other can prepare.
Your
journey of Montenegro you should finish with the rafting down the canyon of
Tara, 78 km long, through the cliffs over 1.000m high. The experience of
rafting through the 2nd highest canyon in the world (following the canyon of
Colorado) can be done in some of the traditional wooden or modern rubber
rafts. Bellow a 150m high bridge, with the unrepeated landscape of small
waterfalls, the voyage down the river Tara is an unforgettable European
experience that on its own makes the visit to Montenegro worth while. As a
Dutch writer Dolard said: “A land behind the God’d back”. This part of
Montenegro simply is breathtaking!
***
If you
look at a map of the world try to find the center: Montenegro will be
closest to that spot. Where the “6 continents merge” this country
offers national parks, contrasts, and crossroads which are worth visiting.
It is the place from which you can go to any European destination, but we
are sure that you will never forget it. This country, even though small,
always attracted attention and the sympathies of the great. It was painted
and described by Tennyson, Gladstone, Byron, Jaroslav Chermak, Evlija
Celebija and many other great people which unanimously gave, across the span
of many centuries, a portrait of a small, but proud country. Through
Montenegro friends have always traveled feely to their destinations but, as
Njegos once replied to a foreign army commander, for the enemy that road was
much longer and harder. Europe is a mosaic of nations and cultures, and
Montenegro is a Europe in small. Even today it offers its unreachable cozy
nooks to the one who dares and to the one who is curious. In the land of
poets and warriors a friend is always welcome, so all the good intentioned
visitors Montenegro is awaiting with doors wide open and wishes you to meet
it and in that way become and remain a part of it.
Ulcinj is the southernmost city at Montenegrin coast.
With its natural potential Ulcinj is tourism borne. The longest beach at the
Adriatic sea – Velika Plaza that is 13 km long, the Ada Bojana – a unique
river island with marvelous sandy beaches, Valdanos – a unique bay with a
coastline covered in old olive trees, the reconstructed old city of Ulcinj –
full of interesting restaurants, cafés, galleries and hotels … and many
other attractive sights make Ulcinj unique and attractive for many tourists.
Ulcinj is a city that you have to visit.
