Monte Mare Travel

Piva Lake is located in the northwest part of Montenegro, in Plužine Municipality. Piva Lake is an artificial lake created by the construction of Hydro Power Plant ’Piva’ in 1975. There is a dam, near village Mratinje, called ‘Mratinje Dam’, 10 kilometers from Šćepan Polje, which is 220 meters high and it is one of the highest in Europe. The lake itself is deep at some places more than 200 meters. It is 45 kilometers long. Piva Lake represents the largest reservoir of fresh water and it also has fantastic conditions for doing sports activities. It is especially attractive for fishing and sightseeing residual details of the submerged Piva River canyon. On the bottom of the lake there is the old town Plužine. Piva Monastery was also there, but it has been relocated, so the new location of the monastery is 8 km from Plužine (3.5 km away from the original location of the monastery). The relocation has lasted 13 years (started in 1969 and finished in 1982). This Monastery is considered to be one of the most important Orthodox monasteries in Montenegro.

It is about 15 km long and 10 km wide. The mountain area has a number of peaks higher than 2,000 m and two higher than 2,500 m. Marijaš (2,533) and Maja e Ropës (2,502 m) are both located in Kosovo.

A part of Maja e Ropës mountains was declared a mountains flora reserve in 1955 covering an area of 25 h (molika, beech, pine). In the same area the Kozhnjari was declared a fauna reserve covering an area of 161 h especially because of the presence of chamois.

Hrid Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Montenegro. It is a real pearl of Prokletije massif. It is called ‘’Lake of happiness’’ because it is considered that bathing in it contributes to happiness in marriage, health and well-being. In order to be more secure in the realization of the legend, it is advisable to cast some of the jewelry into the lake. The lake is surrounded by conifers, which are reflected in the waters of the lake, changing its color into different shades of green. The extraordinary clarity of the water and the ability to see it all the way to the bottom tells of the cleanliness of this stunning lake. The lake can be reached jumping from stone to stone, about one kilometer crosses. Lovers of photography will not miss this circle, in an attempt to get a beautiful photo of this beauty, from all angles!

What makes this lake even more attractive is that it can’t be visited “in the passage”, so those who decide to see it will surely enjoy the unspoiled nature!

This small town in the north of Montenegro, located in the very center of the Durmitor mountain (the highest peak of 2,523 m – Bobotov kuk), surrounded by 23 mountain peaks of over 2200 meters and 18 lakes called ”mountain eyes” is the most desirable destination for winter tourism. The abundance of natural beauty, mountain peaks, various plants and the vicinity of the deepest canyon in Europe – the Tara canyon, attracts an increasing number of tourists during the summer, too.

Momčilov grad – the top of former ski slopes from where there is a beautiful view on Žabljak and Durmitor.
Štuoc – the highest point of this biking tour from where there is a great viewpoint on Tara Canyon. The canyon is the deepest in Europe and the second deepest in the world (after the Colorado canyon). In this place, Tara canyon is the deepest (around 1300m).
Mala Crna Gora – Village located on the edge of the Sušica Canyon. The road to the village is impassable from November to April, because of crude winters, so the inhabitants have to provide to the end of October, all they need for winter.
Sušica – River which flows mostly underground. At the bottom of its canyon it is a beautiful Sušica lake.  This beautiful lake is phenomenon – it has a periodic character. It is filled with water at the time when snow melts from the surrounding mountains, and later it dries up and turns into a picturesque valley.
Nedajno – village on the Piva’s side of the mountain
Trsa – village on the Piva’s side where there are restaurants
Prutaš (2.393 m) –  mountain peak with the  most beautiful view
Sedlo – the border of two great Durmitor valleys ‘Dobri do’ and ‘Lomni do’
Savin Kuk (2.313m) – the most popular ski area in the winter. In the summer, it is possible to take the panoramic chair-lift ride to the top

Lovćen is a mountain in Montenegro. It is located in the southwestern part of the country and extends to the Adriatic Sea.

The two largest peaks of the mountain are Štirovnik (1749 m) and Jezerski vrh – Lake peak (1657 m).
On the mountain there is the National Park Lovćen.

The most imposing monument of the National Park Lovćen is Njegoš’s mausoleum, built at Lake peak, a place that this bishop, writer, prominent poet and thinker even chose an eternal rest for life.
On Lovćen there are 1158 plant species, of which there are 4 endemic species.

Lovćen is not only a mountain, Lovćen is a holy place that every Montenegrin or their guest experiences as a holy. Something like Olympus is for old Greeks or Mount Ararat for Armenians.

The top of the mountain is a special experience as well as climbing countless stairs to Njegoš’s mausoleum, terrace, sightseeing… The legend says that the Montenegrin king outsmarted the Turkish sultan seeking freedom and independence for Montenegro. Then he explained to the sultan that Montenegro is all the territory that is covered by the view from the top of Lovćen … Sultan, thinking that from the top of that mountain there can’t be viewed a large territory, he made a promise to the Montenegrin king, and only later realized how the king outsmarted him…

Kurt Hasert, the German geographer, wrote: “The whole of Montenegro lay in front of us like on some relief map. Here the sun was played by the moving Boka waves, the surface of Skadar Lake glittered, and the blue Adriatic disappeared on the horizon. In the wild, the Albanian Alps and the coastline of Rumija. The eye wandered through the endless series of chains and valleys, while in the background snow-covered spikes of Durmitor and Komovi sent the last greetings. Podgorica is rising from the green plain. I could hardly get out of a powerful picture. “

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro located in the center of this country, at the intersection of several important road directions that lead from the sea to the continental part of the country. It is the main administrative, political, economic, traffic, scientific and educational – cultural center of Montenegro. The city is close to winter centers in the north and resorts in the Adriatic Sea. It offers a wide range of discoveries to visitors through cultural heritage, archaeological sites, monuments, museums, and through nature in a national park, active holidays, views of canyons, rivers and bridges, as well as enjoyment of traditionally produced food and wine. In Podgorica there is one of the largest and most beautiful vineyards in Europe – ’’13. Jul Plantaže’’, covering 2,300 hectares, and all who visit the Šipčanik basement have the opportunity to experience the impressive ambience of a unique wine cellar in Europe, enjoying the unforgettable smells and tastes of Montenegro.

On the shore of Lake Skadar, as a small town on the same river, there is – Rijeka Crnojevića, known as Montenegrin Venice. Near it, there are the remains of the Obod printing house, where the first Cyrillic book was printed in this part of Europe – in 1494. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Rijeka Crnojevića was the largest Montenegrin port and a leading trading center, and in addition, the first pharmacy was opened in Montenegro, as well as the first weapons workshop. The structure that attracts tourists in a special way is the bridge built by Prince Danilo in 1853, along the bridge he built a one-storey building known as Mostina, preserved to this day. A particularly prized product of this region was the dried fish that the Italians especially loved for its uniqueness and perfect taste. Even today, there are restaurants with excellent fish specialties on the Rijeka Crnojevića.

Paul’s side – one of the most attractive viewpoints in Montenegro, the most famous ‘postcard’ of Montenegro in world magazines.

Virpazar is a small fishing village, located on the road between Podgorica and the Montenegrin coast, at the confluence of the river Crmnica and Orahovica in the lake. In the past, it was a strategically important trading city but today this place serves as the main gate in the Skadar Lake National Park. It is also recognizable by local wines, which you can taste in family vineyards and cellars in the center and the surrounding area.

Cetinje – a small city museum with beautiful monuments, promenades and nature under the huge mountain Lovćen. Cetinje is the former capital of Montenegro. It was founded in the 15th century and became the center of Montenegrin life and its culture. This small city, enriched with the greenery and architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries will surely draw your attention at first glance, through a rare combination of nature and culture, museums, art faculties, parks, promenades.

Don’t miss an opportunity to taste traditional products in the most famous Montenegrin village Njeguši, from where comes Petrović dynasty, which ruled for 300 years in Montenegro.

Pass along Lovćen serpentines – the way they arrived many influences of various civilizations in Montenegro, such as:  good wines from the French, silk fabrics of the Far East, the first ski from Norway…

See Kotor – surrounded by impressive city walls, very well preserved and included in the UNESCO list of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Kotor was nominated for the title of the best European destination in 2019, following the results achieved in 2018 at a competition conducted by European Best Destinations – EBD.

The highest peak of this mountain is St. Ilija – 785 m above sea level. Vrmac is a continuation of the mountain Lovćen, and towards the west it ends with the strait of the Verige. It is located between Kotor and Tivat bay, so it is not difficult to assume that during this tour you will have a wonderful view of the magnificent Boka Bay. Vrmac in the past had a great strategic significance because it was border through the Verige, between the Ottoman Empire and the Venetian Republic, and so today there are traces of fortification objects, built for the defense of the borders. There is a tunnel digged through Vrmac, 1.637 meters long, connecting Kotor with the Adriatic Highway and the rest of Montenegro.

In the past, the inhabitants of these areas were mainly engaged in cattle breeding and living a semi-nomad lifestyle, so it is very interesting to visit this area and hear about the customs and history of this mountain tribe. It is located at a distance of Podgorica, about 30 km.

The first landmark in this area is the monument to Novak Milošev. Novak Milošev Vujadinović (1835-1892) is a great Montenegrin hero, who especially distinguished himself in the battle of Fundina on August 2, 1876, when he killed 17 Turkish heads. For such courage, the Russian emperor handed him a diamond-engraved sword, which is now kept in the National Museum in Cetinje.

Further on, there is the most significant fortress – the Old Town of Medun (Meteon), which is located at the 13th kilometre northeast of Podgorica and dates from the ancient period. It was built between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, first as a fortress, later as a city. In terms of construction, there are very interesting the two lower graves in the rock on the way from the lower to the upper city. Studies point to the conclusion that in this part were performed rituals related to the serpent cult that represented mythical ancestor in Illyria.

At the foot of the walls of this city and fort, lived our famous literate, military leader, tribal leader, Montenegrin Duke and hero Marko Miljanov (1833-1901). He was buried there, in the acropolis, in front of a small church. The Duke’s title was given to him by the Prince of Montenegro Nikola I Petrović. He was leader of the city for a time after the liberation of Podgorica (1878).