MONTENEGRO
BRIEF HISTORY
A place; where beauty is submerged with history and offers everyone a place of comfort and relaxation, Montenegro is surely of its kind.
The first residents on the Balkan Peninsula were the ancient people that were popularly known as the Illyrians. What has now come to be known as Montenegro was the Serbian principality of Zeta in the 14th century. Though the mountainous regions could manage to evade Ottoman control, the principality was under their control. Till 1878 when they achieved their independence, it was within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Prince Nicolas proclaimed himself king in 1910.
MONTENEGRO BRIEFING
The Serbian language is something that the people of the country are very committed to. You will see that the people there tend to take an immediate liking to visitors who at least try to learn one of two words of the local language. One will also observe that they quite frequently know more English than they admit to, especially the younger generation. The natives take pride in pronouncing foreign words without any fault. Smoking, especially among males was very popular in the past, but in 2004 a law was passed that banned smoking in public places. It is proving more effective than many expected. Montenegrins are very hospitable in nature. Being offered a glass of rakija is most certain if you are visiting a house there.
When visiting homes it is expected to take a gift. Things form one’s own country are especially welcome. Women love to receive hand cream, perfume or anything from your own country, but not chocolate or sweets. Topless sunbathing should be practiced with discretion, though it is on the increase. Homosexuality in both sexes is accepted without much eagerness, but not flaunted. There are very few gay clubs or bars.
PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO
Rafting down Tara through the deepest canyon in Europe is unique, incomparable experience. Tara is said to be the longest river in Montenegro which is made up of two rivers Opasnica and Verusa and with river Piva from Scepan polje makes Drina. It has made one of the biggest canyon-valleys in the world which is long 80 km and high over 1300 meters. River Tara is the well-known one and in the recent time for rafting by rubber boats. During the month of June the classification of rivers by their level of charisma for rafting is carried out.
Lake of Skadar, 391 km2 of total area, is the major lake in the Balkans. It lies in Zeta-Skadar ravine and is linked with the Adriatic Sea by the river Bojana. Two thirds of the lake belongs to Montenegro and one third of it to Albania. The Montenegrin part of the lake was affirmed a National Park in 1983.
Small town called Rijeka Crnojevica is located on the lake's coast and is full of chronological heritage. In the neighborhood of the town there are remains of the town Oktoih. There was the primary printing firm. The First Book “Oktoih” was printed here in 1494.
Many cultural and historical monuments like archaeological excavations, monastery complex and ramparts sprinkled around the basin are witnesses that even back in XIV and XV century this area was a important cultural center.
The Lake is occupied with islands and peninsulas with traces of rich history and cultural inheritance like Zabljak (XV c.) - the capital of former Zeta, Lesendro - a fort on the rock in the middle of the Lake, the Grmozur fortress. Lake of Skadar is paradise for birds. There are 264 bird species registered, many of which are reduced in number or their endurance is endangered. Lake of Skadar is a biological empire, a sanctuary of silence and close contact with untouched nature. Clean water and preserved environment were good foundation for extremely rich Eco-system. This is the only territory of pelicans in the south of Europe.
The most significant monument of the National Park “Lovcen” is Njegos’ mausoleum, which was constructed on the mountain peak Jezerski Vrh. It was this well-known poet’s wish to be buried here.
Ostrog Monastery was founded in 17 century by Vasilije Jovanovic, who was later obscured there and pronounced a saint posthumously and is now known as Sveti Vasilije Ostroski (St. Vasilije of Ostrog). Ostrog is the most vital pilgrim place in Montenegro, where believers from all over the world come, particularly in summer during traditional church fair. It is a true illustration of natural beauty.
In the bay of Risan there are two islands – Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Skrpjela. Religious substance with art works of priceless value is located on these islands. On the island, there is an assortment of archaeological exhibits, paintings of ships and objects of art and everyday life.
Perast’s small islands - St.Djordje and Gospa od Skrpjela are inseparably linked to historical, maritime and cultural expansion of Perast, overall they make the most magical part of the bay of Boka.
Gospa od Skrpjela is a place where numerous pilgrims and inquisitive people gather. It was made on an mock island and represents the most beautiful testament to the Mother of God, a unique object in the whole Mediterranean.
The most famous and most valuable drapery is here on Gospa od Skrpjela. It was embellished by Jacinta Kunic-Mijovic and it took her 25 years to finish it while waiting her darling to come from a long journey. She used golden and silver fibers but what makes this tapestry so famous is the fact that she embroidered her own hair in it.
National Park Biogradska Gora has a great value of the National Park is the primordial forest Biogradska Gora, total area of 1600 ha. It is one of the last three primordial forests in Europe. It’s highly sheltered reservation and it represents biological treasury of ecologic ecosystems with 86 species of dendroflora.
Near the National Park there is a monument of major importance, The Moraca Monastery, which is a memorial of Duke Vukan Nemanjic. The church, sanctified to Assumption of the Mother of God, was erected in 1252. For more then seven centuries the Monastery has been a core of historical and cultural events.
Kotor is a prominent coastal region and is of primary interest to tourists in Montenegro. The Montenegrin Adriatic coast has a length of 295 km, with 72 km of beaches, and with numerous well-preserved ancient old towns. The main attractions along the north coast are The old town of Kotor, Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), The old town of Budva, a well preserved old town and Sveti Stefan, a small island hamlet turned into a luxury hotel.
The complete area of Durmitor Mountain and Tara river canyon is sheltered as a national park, and programmed with UNESCO world heritage sites.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Montenegro is linked to the world through road, railway, maritime and air transportation. A visitor can select the manner that suits him best in order to get to Montenegro.
In recent years, Montenegro has invested considerably into the road infrastructure, in order to enable faster, safer and more pleasant arrival to the country for as many tourists as possible.
There are numerous planes that land at the Podgorica and Tivat airports every day during the high season, with visitors from around the world. A large number of passenger ships docks in the port of Bar and the many marinas along the whole coastal zone are ready to greet small and medium size yachts.
Once a visitor comes to Montenegro, he could also use the services of various rent-a-car companies. There are an increasing number of small agencies which use modern vehicles to transport the tourists to all the significant tourist locations. There are also a large number of travel agencies that offer organized tours and excellent entertainment.
Montenegro presents to its visitors a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from modern, large and luxurious establishments, to apartments and rooms in private houses.
In the South Coast region of Montenegro, in Ulcinj, a number of tourist destinations are popular due to the "Blue Flag beach" sandy beaches, eco-adventure activities, ancient fortress-cities, and vibrant nightlife. These destinations include The old town of Ulcinj with its prominent battlements and Cyclopean walls at Stari Grad Ulcinj, bustling nightlife and sea-side strand, and home of the Montenegro's longest pristine beach, Velika Plaza, The old town of Bar, Montenegro with its "living museum" at Stari Bar, Ada Bojana at the very south of Montenegro's coastline, with its famed daily fresh catch featured at the area's seafood riverside restaurants, The vast water body and wildlife reserve Skadar Lake at Ulcinj's Salt Flats, one of the largest nesting places on the European continent for migratory birds, The pebble beach and olive groves at Valdanos Bay, The beach, sea caves and pine resin in the air at Ulcinj's Ladies Beach, that for generations locals have known promise cures for infertility and other ailments, The only deep water harbor and commercial port in Montenegro, at Bar.
Therefore a trip to this part of the country is highly recommended.
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