National Parks in
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Montenegro
ENJOY THE WONDERFUL COASTLINE OF SKADAR LAKE, STONY STORIES OF LOVĆEN, DEEP CANYONS OF MT. DURMITOR AND MAGICAL MT. PROKLETIJE
e are introducing three out of five lakes covering 8% of the territory of Montenegro and symbolising the extraordinary diversity and contrasts of the heart of the Mediterranean.
“DURMITOR” NATIONAL PARK It covers an area of five Montenegrin municipalities, but its centre is the town of Žabljak, the largest winter resort in Montenegro offering winter sport facilities and catering services in the field of tourism and mountaineering. Durmitor is home to 18 glacial lakes at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters above sea level. The locals call them the eyes of the mountain, but the most stunning one is the Black Lake. A top tourist attraction is the Tara River canyon.
“LOVĆEN” NATIONAL PARK Covering the central and highest part of a mountain of the same name, encompassing 6,400 hectares, Lovćen is famed for a number of look out points offering all-around views across the surrounding area: the sea, Skadar Lake, or high mountains in the north. Mount Lovćen is the symbol of Montenegrin freedom, and Montenegrins think of it as the holy altar. It is here, at the top of Jezerski vrh, that the glorious Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, spiritual and secular ruler of Montenegro and a renowned poet and philosopher, was built. Even today, people in the former Yugoslavia remember him as the author of the famous epic poem and drama called The Mountain Wreath. Visiting his mausoleum is the national park’s star attraction. It is
accessible via a 20-kilometre road from Cetinje, and then there are 461 steps to take up to the entry at the top of the mountain.
“SKADAR LAKE” NATIONAL PARK Many civilisations that had passed through this area have left behind their traces contributing in this way to the cultural and historic mosaic of the Skadar basin. Skadar Lake islands are dotted with many medieval fortifications, churches and monasteries, while two tiny towns on the lake’s shore, Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevića, are recognisable due to the restaurants serving traditional specialties. There are many attractive beaches along the lake shore and in appearance they do not differ from those on the sea coast at all. 93
