- Gorlo Sokolovo gorge
- Church of Our Lady on the Rock
- Ruins of the Grmozur fortress
- Mount Jezerski vrh
- The abandoned village of Gornya Lastva
- Mamula Island
- Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Podgorica
Montenegro declared its independence only in 2006, so it can be considered one of the youngest countries in Europe and even the world. A little more than 600 thousand people permanently live in its small territory. However, every summer this figure rises to 2 million at the expense of tourists. Montenegro is still far from the popularity of neighboring Croatia, which is visited by about 12 million people annually, but it already has its fans who come here every summer. They are attracted by unusual places in Montenegro, which are not mentioned in guidebooks and are not described on tourist sites.
Despite its modest size, Montenegro boasts some of the most amazing landscapes in Europe. Here you can find fjords, the beauty of which is breathtaking, canyons, as if created for picturesque paintings, mountains, from the tops of which you can see neighboring countries, abandoned islets with destroyed buildings, turned by local residents into tourist sites.
Some sights from our rating have long been included in popular tourist routes. Others will have to go on their own or take an individual excursion.
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Gorlo Sokolovo gorge
The most beautiful observation deck in Montenegro is located 40 km from Podgorica, in the Prokletije mountains, which are also often called the Albanian Alps. The mountains run exactly along the border between Montenegro and Albania.
Above the Gorlo Sokolovo gorge, at an altitude of 1386 meters, there are two benches for rest. Sit on wooden benches directly over the precipice, gaze at Albania and enjoy life.
The panoramic road "Circle around Korita" leads to the Gorlo Sokolovo gorge. Korita, or rather Kuchka-Korita, is the village from where this easy walking trail begins, suitable not only for prepared tourists, but also for the elderly and families with children. During the times of Yugoslavia, this route was used by the police.
Gorlo Sokolovo gorge is part of the Cievna canyon, located on the territory of the youngest nature reserve in Montenegro. The road to the canyon takes about 30 minutes and passes through a very picturesque area - pastures decorated with strange karst rocks and forests.
The trail continues beyond the Gorlo Sokolovo gorge. It runs along the edge of the canyon over the hill. After passing it, you can return back to the village. The walk to the gorge and back takes about 1.5-2 hours.
It is advisable to visit the Gorlo Sokolovo gorge:
- in early spring, when the fields are covered with flowers;
- in summer, when the heat on the coast becomes unbearable and you want to escape from it into the coolness of the mountains;
- in October, when forests burst into bright autumn colors.
How to get there: unfortunately, regular buses do not go to the village of Kuchka-Korita. You need to get here by taxi, rented car or in a company with a driver-guide. The hiking trail to the Cievna canyon begins near the Dubirog tavern, where you can have a bite to eat, but it is difficult to have a hearty meal. There is a parking near the tavern, where all tourists leave their cars to go further on foot.
Church of Our Lady on the Rock
A small Catholic church rises above the surface of the Boka Kotorska Bay. It is located on an artificially created tiny island called Gospa od Skrpela.
Initially, on the site of the island there was only a reef coming out to the surface of the water, among the stones of which two brothers, who were fishing nearby, found an icon of the Virgin Mary. This happened on July 22, 1452. Considering the find a sign from above, the brothers built an Orthodox chapel on the island.
At the beginning of the 17th century, Boka Kotorska Bay fell into the hands of the Venetians, who were Catholics. In 1630, the Orthodox chapel was replaced by a Catholic one. To strengthen the island, additional stones were brought here from the mainland. This was not enough, so the old ships were sunk near the coast of the island.
Locals still approach the island on boats once a year on July 22 at sunset to throw stones next to it.
The church that we see now was built in 1722. Once on the island, you should pay attention:
- on the icon of the Mother of God on the Rock, painted in the 15th century by Lovro Dobrichevich;
- on the marble altar by Antonio Capelano;
- to the museum, which is located above the temple. Its exhibits tell about the history of the city of Perast. The gem of the collection is the embroidered icon, which was created using women's hair instead of threads.
How to get there: there is no other way to the island with the Church of the Mother of God on the Rock than by boat. Many pleasure boats from cities located on the shores of the Boko-Kotor Bay run to the island. The closest way to the island is to go from Perast.
Ruins of the Grmozur fortress
Another island, but this time located on the Skadar Island. And on it are ruins - mysterious, cut off from the rest of the world by the water surface, abandoned by everyone. These are the remains of the Ottoman fortress Grmozur.
From the side it seems that the once powerful fort is just slowly sinking under the water. Journalists call this fortress "sinking". In fact, it stands firmly on a small piece of land, it just collapses very quickly from the effects of wind and water.
You need to walk around the island very carefully, as there are many vipers among the ruins and in the water itself near the coast.
A fortress on a small piece of land appeared in 1843. It became one of the Turkish fortifications, stretching along a chain of Skadar Lake. Since 1878, the fort belongs to Montenegro. King Nikola Njegos turned it into an impregnable prison. At first, people who had committed some serious crimes were kept here, then political exiles were sent here.
In order for the guards to perform their duties better, they were threatened that they would take the place of the criminal who managed to escape. During the entire existence of the prison, only two people managed to leave its walls. They broke down the door and on it got to the shore. History is silent about what happened to the guards.
How to get there: the city of Virpazar is considered the starting point for excursions on Lake Skadar. It can be reached by train from Bar or Podgorica. Boats go from Vrpazar to the island with the Grmozur fortress. A round trip will cost about 25 euros.
Mount Jezerski vrh
If you are lucky with clear weather and keen eyesight, you can see seven countries from a height of 1,657 meters in the Lovcen National Park, located almost 10 km from Kotor. There are two impressive peaks on its territory. One is called Shtirovnik, the other is Jezerski vrh. It is on the latter that there is a round observation deck with a low stone parapet, open to all winds.
They say that from it you can see the territory of Montenegro, namely Kotor, which stretches along the coast. Opposite him will be Italy. Well, and in the neighborhood of Montenegro there are 5 more countries that some keen-sighted people can see from Mount Jezerski vrh.
The observation deck is located behind another iconic local landmark - the mausoleum of King Peter II Njegos. In addition to these objects, in the reserve it is worth seeing the ancient village of Njegosi, a natural landmark - the Ivanova Korita valley with several mineral springs - and an amusement park.
How to get there: Regular buses do not go to the Lovcen Nature Reserve. Tourists usually get here either by sightseeing transport or through Cetinje. The town of Cetinje is located 15 km from the coast and is connected by a highway with Kotor and Budva. From these famous spas in Cetinje you can get there by bus. From Cetinje, in 3 hours you can walk to the Lovcen Nature Reserve on foot or take a taxi. For 30 euros, the driver will take you to the park, then wait for you and bring you back to Cetinje.
The abandoned village of Gornya Lastva
Arriving on vacation in Tivat, do not miss the opportunity to walk to the village of Gornja Lastva, which is hidden among the forest on the Vrmac hill at an altitude of 300 meters.
At the moment, 6 people permanently live in it. Even 80-90 years ago, there were about 100 times more people here. But then life in the village began to fade: some villagers left for another world, others left their homes in search of work on the coast.
Currently, some of the houses are used as summer cottages. There is even one comfortable house with a swimming pool, which can be rented for a penny for the summer and every day go down to the sea.
In fact, living surrounded by abandoned houses is pretty scary. Snakes live in the thickets around mansions with collapsed roofs, bats and their terrestrial relatives have long settled in the houses themselves.
Tourists wandering into Gornja Lastwu in search of interesting pictures visit abandoned houses. The most picturesque shots will come from the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, erected at the local cemetery in the 15th century.
How to get there: two asphalt roads lead to Gornja Lastva. One approaches the village, the other approaches the neighboring cemetery. Since no one lives in the village, buses from Tivat do not go here. From the bottom, from the coast, you can climb to the village on foot or take a taxi.
Mamula Island
One of the attractions of the famous Montenegrin resort of Herceg Novi is the island of Mamula - in the past a well-fortified military structure, in the present - an abandoned piece of land available to tourists, in the future - possibly a new luxury resort with swimming pools, a spa and a nightclub.
The now uninhabited rocky islet, overgrown with thorny cacti, was turned into a powerful fort in 1853. The fortress, which was supposed to repel pirate attacks, was built by the Austrian military leader Lazar Mamula. The island was named after him.
The fortress became notorious during the Second World War, when, by order of Benito Mussolini, it was turned into a concentration camp. It is known that at least 130 people died in the camp. Most of them died from torture and hunger. Hundreds of cells where prisoners were kept have survived to this day.
After the war, the island was abandoned. Since 2016, there have been rumors that the old fort will be converted into a luxury hotel. We can only hope that vacationers will like the rooms that the death row will be turned into. The island already has a small rocky beach, where you can sometimes see tourists looking for seclusion.
Mamula Island has served as a backdrop for the filming of horror films several times. Once here, it's easy to believe in sirens, vampires and other evil spirits.
How to get there: as with any island in the Bay of Kotor, private yachts and boats moor to Mamula. Travel from the nearest beach will cost at least 30 euros. Tourists can also book a sea excursion, which includes a visit to Mamula Island.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Podgorica
The only Catholic church in Podgorica resembles not a sacred structure, but a military fort or a bunker. It consists of smooth concrete blocks, has almost no windows and does not fit into the surrounding landscape at all.
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is considered one of the youngest in Podgorica. She appeared in 1969. Its project was developed by the Croatian architect Zvonimir Verklyan. The temple was built in the manner of brutalism, which was fashionable at that time. This architectural style was not suitable for churches, so the temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Podgorica can be called unique.
A bell tower rises next to the church, surrounded by pine trees. The interior of the temple is very simple. The inside of the church does not seem as ominous as the outside. The absence of windows does not interfere with the lighting. There is an opening in the vault above the altar to let in sunlight. The walls are fitted with lamps that would be appropriate not in a prayer hall, but in the wheelhouse of a spaceship.
How to get there: The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is located right in the center of Podgorica. You can get to it on foot, just following the boulevard of St. Peter of Cetinsky, the most popular among tourists. It will lead to a bridge over the river. Behind it, the boulevard continues with Pete Proleterske Brigade Street. On the ring road, after refueling, there will be a temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
