Lovćen is the name for both a national park and a mountain found in the southwestern region of Montenegro. The mountain rises up along the Adriatic basin’s borders and features two imposing peaks. Štirovnik, which reaches 1,749 m, and Jezerski vrh at 1,657 m (view below), are unique in that their pitted slopes offer interesting fissures and deep depressions which enhance even more the scenic mountain views here.
View from Jezerski vrh - courtesy vandule from Webshots
In 1952, Lovćen National Park was created to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, its rich history, and its architectural and cultural heritage. In the park, guests can find over 1,150 different plant species, four of which are endemic. Additionally, the park encompasses the highest and most central point of the mountain, covering 62.20 square kilometers.
Visitors to the area can explore several historical elements placed throughout the national park. These include the remnants of an authentic village, old houses, and cottages that served as summer settlements for cattle breeders. The serpentine road that winds up from Kotor to Njeguši is another architectural relic.
Njegoš's Mausoleum - courtesy Michael Tyler
At the center of the national park, guests will find Njegoš’s Mausoleum, which is a controversial historical center. Njegoš, a prince-bishop in Montenegro, chose his burial site at the summit of the Jezerski vrh peak as his final wish. He had built a chapel there during his lifetime; however, the Austro-Hungarian army destroyed the building in 1916. The prince-bishop’s remains were moved until a new chapel was built in the 1920s. The chapel was destroyed again and replaced by a mausoleum.
Today, Lovćen is a beautiful destination that preserves the history and natural splendor of Montenegro. For more information please visit the official Visit Montenegro site, Montenegro Travel, or Discover Montenegro.
Lovcen National Park courtesy the superb photgraphy of Andrija Kasom
