Montenegro, Herceg Novi, Zelenika

Montenegro

ЧMontenegro ( Serbian - Tsrna Gora, Crna Gora, Albanian - Mali i Zi, Croatian - Crna Gora ), the most commonly used is an italian manner (Montenegro) - a state in south-eastern Europe on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan peninsula. The name derives from the words "Black Mountain". Country is washed by Adriatic Sea and has land borders with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.

Montenegro's highest point - Mount Durmitor (2522 m). The deepest in Europe and the second in the world after the Colorado River canyon Tara is in Montenegro. The canyon's depth is about 1200 m. It was declared like a natural heritage and it's under UNESCO protection.

Tara River Canyon - the second deepest in the world

Herceg - Novi

Archaeological excavations indicate that the settlement in this area existed in ancient times. Herceg-Novi was founded in 1382 by the Bosnian King Tvrtko I. The fortress was called in another way - Svity Stefan, or in Venetian style, San Stefano. One hundred years after the formation of the city the Turks came and had controlled it until 1687. Then Herceg-Novi changed rulers several times and, ultimately, became a part of an independent Montenegro today.

Mara walls of the fortress, the Citadel and the tower Kanila, which were build opposite the entrance to Boka Kotor Bay, have protected the city of Herceg-Novi for six centuries. The city was built from the XIV to XVII century - the walls were covered with some exotic plants that local sailors brought from distant wanderings. Herceg-Novi - the city of sun and flowers. The diverse flora of the region rightly makes this town a botanical garden of whole Montenegro.

With its favorable climate and abundance of sunshine, Herceg-Novi frequented at winter. Recently, more attention is drawn to the annual Mimosa Festival, held in early February for almost 40 years.

Mimosa - a symbol of the winter festival in Herceg-Novi

Mimosa Festival

The holiday begins with a mimosa flower show, then procession and a brass band performance of cheerleaders are arranged. At the nearest villages - Dzhenovichi, Baoshichi, Kumbor fishermen organize a feast. Each year, the holiday is visited by 20,000 visitors. The carnival begins in evening. Music, dancing and fun are continued for a month, and at the conclusion of the feast the burning of a straw doll that symbolizes everything bad that happened in the past year and what people want to forget is arranged on the town's main square.

Mimosa Festival in Herceg Novi takes place in early February

Since 1997 the Boka-Kotor Bay was officially adopted to the Association of 28 most beautiful bays in the world.

Boka-Kotor Bay

Sights of Herceg - Novi

Sights of the city are a real reflection of its history. Austrians erected a watch tower here, and the Venetians built a defensive bastion which was intended to protect the village on the side of the sea. This sea fortress called Forte Mare and watch tower have been kept in Herceg Novi until today. The Spanish built a fortress Shpanola, and under the rule of the Turks in the sixteenth century, the city has another citadel - Kanli Kula - or "Bloody Tower". Equally ominous name of the structure is due to the fact that in the old days it was a prison, where unfortunate prisoners served their sentences for many years. Kanli Kula, has a completely different purpose today. Theatrical performances and movies are shown at the open area of the fortress.

Kanli Kula - or "Bloody Tower" was once a prison, now its the venue of the film festival

You can also climb the walls, and enjoy panoramic views of the open sea or the largest fjord of the Mediterranean - a truly impressive sight.

View of the Bay

Temples and Monasteries of Herceg-Novi

There are eighty-nine churches and monasteries at the territory of Herceg-Novi and on the surrounding areas. The most notable of them - monastery complex of Sava, founded in XI century. Monastery named in honor of the first Serbian archbishop.

It is located in a large forest on east of Herceg Novi. It was built back in 1030 and was renovated in the XV century. The monastery keeps many relics such as crystal cross canted with silver that by the legend belonged to St. Sava.

The complex consists of three churches - the buildings of XI - XVIII centuries. The Church of Saint Sava was built in the XIII century, the great temple of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin - in XVIII. It remains a miraculous icon of the Mother of God, brought here from the Holy Mount Athos. According to legend, an icon saved the monastery from shelling by Venetians.

More than 5000 rare manuscripts are hold in the library of the monastery, among its exhibits - unique manuscript Gospel of 1375 .

Monastery is also known fot that, that in 2005 Đurđevdan (Saint George Daz) famous Serbian film director Emir Kusturica was baptized in it.

The Wonderful Botanical Garden

There is a wonderful botanical garden besides the old hotel "Boka", which appeared in the thirties of XX century. This Garden has about eighty species of exotic plants which were brought here from all over the world by sailors. Among them - a lot of mimosa trees. The colorful city festival that lasts a month is dedicated to these beautiful flowers. Celebration is held in late February and is called "Mimosa festival».

Botanical Garden has about eighty species of exotic plants

The Climate of Herceg-Novi

The climate in the area of Herceg-Novi is Mediterranean, with warm dry summers and mild wet winters. The average temperature at January - about 10º C, at July - 26º C. The swimming season runs from early May to late September. Temperature of the sea water during this period - from 22º C to 26º C.

Beaches of Herceg - Novi

Beaches in Herceg Novi are very various. You can see a pebble beaches, artificial sandy beaches and platform beaches. The Riviera of Herceg-Novi, which includes the small islands and resort towns, stretches for twenty-five miles.

Beaches in Herceg-Novi

One of the most popular beaches of the Riviera is a grand beach, located 6 kilometers from the city, in the Miriste valley. It is covered with white pebbles and surrounded by lush olive groves.There are a lot of comfortable bars and restaurants in the shades of trees.

Public Beach Miriste Valley is on a cape called Arzano. It is a concrete slab covered with fine sand. Dense forest that fills the air with freshness grows near the beach.

There is the island of Mamula not far from the beach, which can be reached by boat.

Miriste Beach and the island of Mamula

The island has an Austro-Hungarian fortress that was once a prison. It was built in the XIX century. Construction was led by the Austrian general Lazar Mamula, after whom the island is named. He is now settled, and the fortress, surrounded by trees, looks romantic and carefree. There is a very popular beach with pebbles called Zhanits - one of the best beaches in Boka bay on the island.

The Blue Cave

Another local oddity is located between the Golden Port Bay and Wet Mountain Cape, its called - Blue Cave. The height of the wonders of nature - nine meters, depth - about four meters. It can freely get by a small powerboat.

Blue Cave

The town Rose is another great beach, covered with small pebbles. The zone of Rose has been closed for shipping for a long time so the sea water in these places,and with it the coast are very clean. Exceptional clarity of seawater in Rose enlists many lovers of diving, underwater hunting and fishing.

Beach of Rose

The city of Rose is located on the tip of the Lushitsa peninsula. There are many examples of unique architecture, and luxurious forests are around Rose, where you can find quite a rare species of plants. There is the town Nyvytsi, once a fishing village at seven kilometers from Herceg Novi. Today it is a famous resort with a long sandy beach, pebble, equipped in accordance with all the requirements of Superior.

Lushtitsa Island, Blue Cave, Mamula Island

Wellness Center of Montenegro - Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation named by Dr. Simo Miloševic

Beach of the famous medical and health center Montenegro, Igalo , - it's a wonderful place to relax. It extends from the river Sutorina to local restaurant called "Ghaleb". Some part of the beach is covered with sand, and some with concrete slabs. Restaurants, bars and cafes are built along the beach. Igalo is a popular physiotherapy center, the largest in the entire Mediterranean basin. There are medical and mud "Ihalsko blat" resort and "Ihalske Slatina" spa near it.

Beach of medical and health center

The tourist complex has a variety of sports grounds and recreational areas on its territory, and you can find a cozy restaurant in every corner of it.The famous Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation named Dr. Simo Miloševic, which experts have successfully treated many diseases functions in Igalo. Radon mineral water "Ihalka" that deliver here from local sources is using for therapeutic baths with cold water.

Przno Beach, Lushtitsa

Small, clean and very quiet private beaches are located around the coast of Herceg Novi. They are covered with small coves and docks, including olive, orange and tangerine groves. All these natural delights, along with ancient monuments, give this area special and incomparable charm.

Plav Horizons Beach (Blue Horizons Beach)

Top 5 special places must visit in Montenegro

1.Park Durmitor. Tara River Canyon

The part of the Durmitor park - Tara River Canyon, which is the deepest in Europe (second in the world after the Grand Canyon ) - included to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Location - Tara Canyon is located on the north of the country. Nearest cities with easy access to the canyon - Zabljak, Plevlya and Mojkovac. By the way, Zabljak is a famous mountain ski resort of Montenegro, which is worth to be visited in winter.

This place will be loved by fans of extreme and rafting.

2. Skadar lake

Its an Incredibly lovely pond with enormous size (about 390 sq.km.), which is home for pelicans and other birds.

Location - the largest lake of Balkans is located on the border of Montenegro and Albania. 2/3 of the lake belongs to Montenegro. Town Virpazar is located in the western part of the lake from the bank of Montenegro and the city of Shkoder is on the southeast edge of the lake form the Albanian bank.

3. Lovcen National Park, Kotor

ount Lovcen – is the Montenegro's national attraction, located in the homonymous National Park. It a top, which offers incredible scenery. It is said that from there you can see the entire Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and even sometimes Italy. Along the way to the top, you can also admire the magnificent view of Boka Bay.

A viewing platform which offers incredible scenery is near the memorial complex.

Lovcen has two peaks: Ezersky cattle (1,657 m) and Shtyrovnik (1,749 m). One of them is the mausoleum of king Peter II Petrovic Njegos - national hero. This place was chosen by the king for his burial and the modest chapel was built there when he was still alive. To get into the mausoleum you should overcome the so-called "Stairway to Heaven" - 461 step.

Tourists are able to get only to the one of the peaks - Ezersky, because another top Shtyrovnik has a telecommunication tower on it and the entrance there is forbidden.

Location: on the southwest of the country near the town of Kotor.

4. Ostrog Monastery

Its a place of pilgrimage and the largest shrine and tourist attraction of Montenegro. It is carved into the rock in the mountains. Monastery was Founded in the XVII century. The relics of St. Vasil of Ostrog are stored here.

Location: Ostrog Monastery is located in the mountains on an altitude of 900 meters above sea level, 15 km from Danilovgrad town.

5. The beach Plavi Horizont (Blue Horizons Beach) of the Lushtitsa peninsula

This beach was awarded with a Blue Flag. Its equipped due to all the standards for high comfort. There are changing cabins, toilets, showers. You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds, but it is also free to use our own blankets. You could also use the parking lot, playground, have a snack or cool drink in the cafe. Your pleasant stay is guarding all the time by brigade of lifeguards.

The sandy beach is very clean. It is surrounded by picturesque rocks and pine and olive trees. In addition, it is an ideal place for families with children, because the shore is quite flat. Interestingly, this beach is one of the record-holders by the number of hours of sunshine by the year.

The length of the beach - 320 meters. Area - 8,500 sq.m.

Plavi Horizont Beach. You can walk through the pine park from main beach and reach the rocky shore

Location<: Przno, Lushtitsa Peninsula

There are a lot of beaches of this type all around of coast in Montenegro.For example, you can also visit the Jaz beach, located on the same promontory close to Budva.

*Recall, that if you want, we can organize a private tour through above-mentioned and other interesting corners of Montenegro.