Montenegro is a small country. It is inhabited by about 600,000 people. But despite its small size, the sights of Montenegro are varied. The country is rich in cultural and historical and natural attractions, which are perfectly preserved in the time of numerous wars that swept the country. The diverse relief, perfectly clean mountain rivers, the warmest and cleanest sea in Europe, the splendid coastline, the wonderful climate allowed Montenegro to gain the status of a European ecological park and a tourist center of Europe. Here, the black rocks and white sands are harmoniously combined, the red sand of the beaches and the raging garden greens, small towns and huge modern cities, the Venetian, Slavic and Ottoman cultures.
Cities of Montenegro
- Podgorica
Sights of Montenegro should startto inspect from the capital city of Podgorica. In place of the modern city, people began to settle in the Stone Age. In ancient times there was a major policy of Duklia. The chronicles of 1326 mention Podgorica as a flourishing trading city. During the war the city was completely destroyed (it was bombed 70 times). In our time Podgorica rebuilt. In the capital you can see the remains of a 15th-century Turkish fortress, admire colorful old houses and modern buildings. Not far from Podgorica there is the monastic complex of Celia Piperskaya with the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. In this temple, you can join the relics of the Monk Stephen of Piper - the founder of the monastery.
- Kotor
Kotor is called a city with three gates. It is known as a popular resort on the Adriatic Sea, which is famous for its medieval architecture. Its numerous historical and cultural attractions are the World Heritage of UNESCO. The symbol of Kotor is the Clock Tower. Among the many different palaces is worth visiting the Palace of Drago, which owned the noble family of Drago. It is decorated with the image of a dragon. The same image was on the coat of arms of the Drago family. The Maritime Museum, located in the Palace of Gregorin, houses a rich collection of marine artifacts. The city often hosts a variety of festivals and carnivals.
- Cetinje
The historical and cultural capital of Montenegro,the symbol of the country is the city of Cetinje, founded in 1482. It was the center of the struggle against the Turks. In this city-museum the best collection of weapons on the Balkan Peninsula was preserved. Vlaska Church, built in 1450, is known as the oldest city structure. The monastery is famous for the relics of St. Peter of Cetinje, the right hand of John the Baptist and a particle of the Honest Cross. In the National Gallery of Arts, founded in the former Government House, a collection of paintings by Yugoslav artists is collected. And in the State Museum, which took the place of the palace of King Nicholas I, you can admire the collections of paintings, photographs and archaeological finds.
Resorts of Montenegro
- Budva
The main sea resort of Montenegro isBudva. This ancient city admires its beauty. It is rich in beaches. These beaches are surrounded by mountains and resemble paradise. In Budva you can visit museums, churches and fortress. The city often hosts a variety of festivals. Not far from Budva was the royal residence. Now here is located the resort of Milocer, in which many celebrities and crowned people rest. In Miločer is worth visiting the famous botanical garden and the famous beach of Kralichin-Plage.
- Saint Stefan
This resort, located on a cozy rockyisland, named after the patron of Montenegro. It stretches for 1170 m. Pink sand, narrow streets, elegant buildings and picturesque churches of the resort attract many tourists. He was chosen by members of royal families and celebrities.
- Gorodok Petrovac
For those who do not like crowded resorts,the ideal place will be the town of Petrovac. It is located in a charming bay among pine forests and olive groves. Here you can admire the surrounding beauty, soak up the sandy beach, visit the Venetian fortress and the churches in which the ancient icons are kept.
- Perast
First of all, in Perast you should visit the museum,located in the palace, which used to belong to Vujovic. Here you can admire the unique historical exhibits telling about the historical past of the city. In the city there is a church of St. Nicholas, which houses the highest bell tower of Kotor Bay. Its height is 55 m. Opposite the city is the Island of the Dead with the ancient cemetery and the church of St. George. Near the city there is an artificial island of Skrpjela. It was built by the sailors in gratitude for the miraculous rescue during the storm and the acquisition of the icon with miraculous properties. Here they built a church with a marble altar. In the Seaside Fortress, the Citadel, which served as a defense, now hosts performances.
- Hercegnovi
The town of Hercegnovi is famous for the city park, inwhich grows hundreds of species of plants in the subtropics and tropics, including several species of mimosa. Every winter in the city there passes the mimosa festival, which lasts for a month and attracts many tourists. The famous monastery complex of the city includes 2 churches, a cell building and 2 cemeteries. Here you can attach to the miraculous Savinsky icon of the Mother of God and the crystal cross, admire the portrait of the young Peter the Great. Herczegni is replete with monuments of medieval architecture. It has an Art Gallery and a regional museum.
- Igalo
Igalo knows all of Europe thanks to the mild climate,clean sea, therapeutic sea mud, sources of mineral water "Igalka", modern equipment and high-qualified personnel. All this made it possible to concentrate in the city a lot of medical institutions, including the Center for Health Tourism, Health and Recreation Center, the Institute of Physiotherapy and Prevention named after Milosevic, as well as a health-improving complex, organized in the former residence of Marshal Tito. Holidaymakers will not only be cured, but also will have to exercise, sunbathe on the beach. There are sports facilities, clubs, playgrounds and beautiful beaches. They will find an interesting lesson and lovers of history and art. They can admire the exhibits of the Museum of Local Lore and the Art Gallery.
- Ulcinj
Ulcinj, or Ulcin, is one of the mostold cities of Montenegro. It is famous for the presence of the Ethnological Museum and two delightful palaces: Balsic Palace and the Venetian Palace. The Church of St. Nicholas is known for the fact that the Turks, during their reign, converted it into a mosque. Later it became a church again. Near the city stretches Velika-Plage beach with therapeutic dark sand. Behind the beach Velika-Plage on the island of Ada is the beach of Ada Bojana. The sand of this beach has soft radioactive properties, which heals infertility and diseases of bone and muscle systems.
Temples of Montenegro
- Monastery Ostrog
Looking at the sights of Montenegro,it is necessary to visit the greatest shrine of Montenegro, carved into the rock, the monastery Ostrog, founded in the XVII century. It is famous for the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog, which have miraculous properties. Therefore, the monastery is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Ostrog Monastery is the only Orthodox monastery in the world, in which, besides Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Muslims come.
- Monastery of Moraca
The current monastery of Moraca,located on the shore of the river of the same name, deserved significant popularity among tourists. Almost all tourist routes pass through Moraciu. The greatest wealth of the monastery is its frescoes and icons.
Natural attractions
- Mount Lovcen
Mount Lovcen - Black Mountain. From these words there was the name of the country - Montenegro, or Montenegro. The mountain Lovcen is famous for the presence of two peaks: Stirovnik (1749 m high) and Jezierski (1657 m high). Having risen on Styrovnik, tourists can visit the mausoleum built in honor of Peter II Petrovich Nyosh. He is widely known as a poet, philosopher and ruler of Montenegro. To get to the mausoleum, you need to overcome the tunnel with a staircase of 461 steps. The entrance to the mausoleum is guarded by two four-meter marble statues. Inside the mausoleum is a four-meter statue of Negosh. Being on the top of the Black Mountain, those who wish can admire the city of Kotor from a bird's-eye view and get an unforgettable experience.
- Canyon of Tara
The country of the canyons - so often called Montenegrobecause of the huge number of canyons. The most beautiful of them is the canyon of the Tara River - one of the cleanest European rivers. The Canyon of Tara is protected by UNESCO. It is rich in rocky mountains, deep gorges, waterfalls and a swift current with rapids. All this is surrounded by a delightful nature, which you can admire for hours. A variety of animals and plants live in the valley of the Tara River. Here is a virgin forest of black pines. It grows 400-year-old pine trees, reaching a height of 50 m. Canyon is a part of the National Park Durmitor. The canyon of Tara stretches for 82 km. Its depth in places reaches 1300 m. The Canyon of Tara is known as the deepest canyon in Europe and the second deepest in the world: the first place belongs to the American Grand Canyon. Through the canyon passes the Djurdjevic Bridge - the highest state bridge that connects northern and southern Montenegro. Its height is 160 m and its length is 366 m.
- Skadar Lake
This lake is considered the largest Balkanthe lake. Its area is 390 square meters. km. The lake is located on the territory of two countries: Montenegro and Albania. But it is known not only for its size. The Skadar Lake is famous for the fact that only here in Europe live pelicans. Nearly 300 species of birds nest here. This area fascinates tourists with its beauty. On the shore of Skadar Lake, the national park of the same name is based. Around the lake and on its islands, many monasteries, fortresses, churches, tombs and monuments have been built.
- Black Lake
The big popularity among tourists has gotBlack Lake, which is located on Mount Medied and is famous for its amazing beauty and cleanliness. Here you can walk along the forest path, sit on a bench in seclusion, sunbathe and swim in the lake, watch a film about Durmitor, and then enjoy national dishes in a small coastal restaurant. Anyone who wants to stay in this place, will be offered to rent a wooden house. In the information center, tourists will receive information that interests them. They also have the opportunity to inspect the exhibits of the Museum of Natural History and buy a souvenir in a souvenir shop.
- Biograd mountain
The princely reserve, the so-called Nationalpark Biograd mountain, is considered the oldest reserve. Its highest peak is Mount Black Head. In the reserve grows a virgin forest with millennial trees. These trees reach 45 m in height. Their width is about 1.5 m. There are many endemic plants near the lake. The treasure of the reserve is Biogradskoe Lake, which is famous for its abundance of trout and its extraordinary transparency. It allows you to look at a depth of more than 10 m.
Folk art
In Montenegro, not onlyarchitectural monuments. Local residents are famous for preserving the spiritual heritage of their ancestors, their traditions and customs. Folk folklore is constantly heard here, folk festivals, festivals and carnivals are held, in which the guests of the city take part with pleasure. This country is a depository for ethnographers. Montenegrins are excellent artisans. The products they manufacture will be an excellent exhibit for any collection. Monuments of Montenegro can not be visited in one visit. This is a unique country, the stay in which will bring many unforgettable minutes and will fill with amazing impressions.