Montenegro. Where is it? Montenegro Montenegro area area

Later, Greek colonists founded cities on the sea coast, and the entire area was gradually incorporated into the Roman (later Byzantine) Empire.

Medieval Montenegro

Montenegro under Ottoman rule

Montenegro in modern times

In 1876, Montenegro entered the Montenegrin-Turkish War. Montenegro took part in the Russian-Turkish War - where, even for a while, it was able to divert 50 thousand Turkish forces from the Russian army and, according to the Treaty of San Stefano on February 19 (March 3), 1878, it received border lands and access to the sea with two ports - Bar and Ulcinj.

From April 22 to May 5, 1913, Montenegro occupied the city of Shkoder, which caused a naval blockade by Austria-Hungary, Germany, France, Italy and Great Britain, since by its actions it was delaying peace negotiations with the Ottoman Empire. Only after the surrender of Shkoder could the London Peace Treaty (1913) be signed (May 30, 1913), according to which the southern part of the Sandjak was ceded to Montenegro.

Montenegro as part of Yugoslavia (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes)

Montenegro during World War II

During World War II, the Italians (and after 1943 the Germans) occupied the Kingdom of Montenegro (1941-1944) and attempted to establish a satellite state political regime there. From June 12 to Montenegro was declared a satellite kingdom of Fascist Italy. From now on Montenegro was under German occupation.

During the occupation there was strong communist resistance. In November 1943, with their leading participation, the Regional Anti-Fascist Assembly of People's Liberation was created, which in July 1944 turned into the Anti-Fascist Assembly, and in April 1945 into the People's Assembly of Montenegro. In fact, from 1945 Montenegro was under the control of partisans.

Montenegro in Tito's Yugoslavia

Despite the breakdown of relations between Stalin and Tito in 1948, many Montenegrins, who had traditionally been favorably disposed towards the Russians, could not hide their sympathies for the USSR. This led to a wave of repression and an uprising, and then to a split in the Communist Party of the Republic. In 1954, one of the leaders of the SKYU, the leader of the Montenegrin communists Milovan Djilas, was subjected to repression.

Opposition to the Belgrade policy arose either on ethnic grounds (mainly among Muslims), or on the basis of the Union of Reform Forces - a nationally oriented party advocating liberal reforms, which in the first multi-party elections to the Republican Assembly of Montenegro (then still part of the SFRY) in December 1990 received only 7 out of 125 seats. The Union of Communists of Montenegro (UCCH), led by Momir Bulatović, won, supported by more than 56% of voters (83 seats). 42 deputies from all opposition parties entered the Assembly. Bulatovich himself distanced himself from Serbian initiatives.

Course towards independence

Independent Montenegro

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Notes

Literature

• Vaclik I. Ya.. - St. Petersburg. : Type. V.V. Komarova, 1889. - 26 p.
• Rovinsky P. A. Montenegro in its past and present: In 3 volumes - St. Petersburg. : Printing house of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1888. - T. 1. - 936 p.

An excerpt characterizing the History of Montenegro

The terrible sight of the battlefield, covered with corpses and wounded, combined with the heaviness of the head and with the news of the killed and wounded twenty familiar generals and with the awareness of the powerlessness of his previously strong hand, made an unexpected impression on Napoleon, who usually loved to look at the dead and wounded, thereby testing his spiritual strength (as he thought). On this day, the terrible sight of the battlefield defeated the spiritual strength in which he believed his merit and greatness. He hastily left the battlefield and returned to the Shevardinsky mound. Yellow, swollen, heavy, with dull eyes, a red nose and a hoarse voice, he sat on a folding chair, involuntarily listening to the sounds of gunfire and not raising his eyes. With painful melancholy he awaited the end of that matter, which he considered himself to be the cause of, but which he could not stop. Personal human feeling for a short moment took precedence over that artificial ghost of life that he had served for so long. He endured the suffering and death that he saw on the battlefield. The heaviness of his head and chest reminded him of the possibility of suffering and death for himself. At that moment he did not want Moscow, victory, or glory for himself. (What more glory did he need?) The only thing he wanted now was rest, peace and freedom. But when he was at Semenovskaya Heights, the chief of artillery suggested that he place several batteries at these heights in order to intensify the fire on the Russian troops crowded in front of Knyazkov. Napoleon agreed and ordered news to be brought to him about what effect these batteries would produce.
The adjutant came to say that, by order of the emperor, two hundred guns were aimed at the Russians, but that the Russians were still standing there.
“Our fire takes them out in rows, but they stand,” said the adjutant.
“Ils en veulent encore!.. [They still want it!..],” said Napoleon in a hoarse voice.
- Sire? [Sovereign?] - repeated the adjutant who did not listen.
“Ils en veulent encore,” Napoleon croaked, frowning, in a hoarse voice, “donnez leur en.” [You still want to, so ask them.]
And without his order, what he wanted was done, and he gave orders only because he thought that orders were expected from him. And he was again transported to his former artificial world of ghosts of some kind of greatness, and again (like that horse walking on a sloping drive wheel imagines that it is doing something for itself) he obediently began to perform that cruel, sad and difficult, inhuman the role that was intended for him.
And it was not just for this hour and day that the mind and conscience of this man, who bore the brunt of what was happening more heavily than all the other participants in this matter, were darkened; but never, until the end of his life, could he understand either goodness, beauty, truth, or the meaning of his actions, which were too opposite to goodness and truth, too far from everything human for him to understand their meaning. He could not renounce his actions, praised by half the world, and therefore had to renounce truth and goodness and everything human.
Not only on this day, driving around the battlefield, strewn with dead and mutilated people (as he thought, by his will), he, looking at these people, counted how many Russians there were for one Frenchman, and, deceiving himself, found reasons to rejoice that for every Frenchman there were five Russians. Not only on this day did he write in a letter to Paris that le champ de bataille a ete superbe [the battlefield was magnificent] because there were fifty thousand corpses on it; but also on the island of St. Helena, in the quiet of solitude, where he said that he intended to devote his leisure time to the exposition of the great deeds that he had done, he wrote:
"La guerre de Russie eut du etre la plus populaire des temps modernes: c"etait celle du bon sens et des vrais interets, celle du repos et de la securite de tous; elle etait purement pacifique et conservatrice.
C "etait pour la grande cause, la fin des hasards elle commencement de la securite. Un nouvel horizon, de nouveaux travaux allaient se derouler, tout plein du bien etre et de la prosperite de tous. Le systeme europeen se trouvait fonde; il n "etait plus question que de l"organiser.
Satisfait sur ces grands points et tranquille partout, j "aurais eu aussi mon congress et ma sainte alliance. Ce sont des idees qu"on m"a volees. Dans cette reunion de grands souverains, nous eussions traits de nos interets en famille et compte de clerc a maitre avec les peuples.
L"Europe n"eut bientot fait de la sorte veritablement qu"un meme peuple, et chacun, en voyageant partout, se fut trouve toujours dans la patrie commune. Il eut demande toutes les rivieres navigables pour tous, la communaute des mers, et que les grandes armees permanentes fussent reduites desormais a la seule garde des souverains.
De retour en France, au sein de la patrie, grande, forte, magnifique, tranquille, glorieuse, j"eusse proclame ses limites immuables; toute guerre future, purement defensive; tout agrandissement nouveau antinational. J"eusse associe mon fils a l"Empire ; ma dictature eut fini, et son regne constitutionnel eut commence…
Paris eut ete la capitale du monde, et les Francais l"envie des nations!..
Mes loisirs ensuite et mes vieux jours eussent ete consacres, en compagnie de l"imperatrice et durant l"apprentissage royal de mon fils, a visiter lentement et en vrai couple campagnard, avec nos propres chevaux, tous les recoins de l"Empire, recevant les plaintes, redressant les torts, semant de toutes parts et partout les monuments et les bienfaits.
The Russian war should have been the most popular in modern times: it was a war of common sense and real benefits, a war of peace and security for everyone; she was purely peace-loving and conservative.
It was for a great purpose, for the end of chance and the beginning of peace. A new horizon, new works would open, full of prosperity and well-being for all. The European system would have been founded, the only question would be its establishment.
Satisfied in these great matters and everywhere calm, I too would have my congress and my sacred alliance. These are the thoughts that were stolen from me. In this meeting of great sovereigns, we would discuss our interests as a family and would take into account the peoples, like a scribe with an owner.
Europe would indeed soon constitute one and the same people, and everyone, traveling anywhere, would always be in a common homeland.
I would argue that all rivers should be navigable for everyone, that the sea should be common, that permanent, large armies should be reduced solely to the guards of sovereigns, etc.
Returning to France, to my homeland, great, strong, magnificent, calm, glorious, I would proclaim its borders unchanged; any future defensive war; any new spread is anti-national; I would add my son to the government of the empire; my dictatorship would end and his constitutional rule would begin...
Paris would be the capital of the world and the French would be the envy of all nations!..
Then my leisure time and last days would be devoted, with the help of the Empress and during the royal upbringing of my son, to little by little visiting, like a real village couple, on our own horses, all corners of the state, receiving complaints, eliminating injustices, dispersing all sides and everywhere buildings and blessings.]
He, destined by Providence for the sad, unfree role of the executioner of nations, assured himself that the purpose of his actions was the good of the peoples and that he could guide the destinies of millions and do good deeds through power!
“Des 400,000 hommes qui passerent la Vistule,” he wrote further about the Russian war, “la moitie etait Autrichiens, Prussiens, Saxons, Polonais, Bavarois, Wurtembergeois, Mecklembourgeois, Espagnols, Italiens, Napolitains. L "armee imperiale, proprement dite, etait pour un tiers composee de Hollandais, Belges, habitants des bords du Rhin, Piemontais, Suisses, Genevois, Toscans, Romains, habitants de la 32 e division militaire, Breme, Hambourg, etc.; elle comptait a peine 140000 hommes parlant francais. L "expedition do Russie couta moins de 50000 hommes a la France actuelle; l "armee russe dans la retraite de Wilna a Moscou, dans les differentes batailles, a perdu quatre fois plus que l"armee francaise; l"incendie de Moscou a coute la vie a 100000 Russes, morts de froid et de misere dans les bois; enfin dans sa marche de Moscou a l"Oder, l"armee russe fut aussi atteinte par, l"intemperie de la saison; “elle ne comptait a son arrivee a Wilna que 50,000 hommes, et a Kalisch moins de 18,000.”
[Of the 400,000 people who crossed the Vistula, half were Austrians, Prussians, Saxons, Poles, Bavarians, Wirtembergers, Mecklenburgers, Spaniards, Italians and Neapolitans. The imperial army, in fact, was one third composed of the Dutch, Belgians, residents of the banks of the Rhine, Piedmontese, Swiss, Genevans, Tuscans, Romans, residents of the 32nd military division, Bremen, Hamburg, etc.; there were hardly 140,000 French speakers. The Russian expedition cost France proper less than 50,000 men; the Russian army in retreat from Vilna to Moscow in various battles lost four times more than the French army; the fire of Moscow cost the lives of 100,000 Russians who died of cold and poverty in the forests; finally, during its march from Moscow to the Oder, the Russian army also suffered from the severity of the season; upon arrival in Vilna it consisted of only 50,000 people, and in Kalisz less than 18,000.]
He imagined that by his will there was a war with Russia, and the horror of what had happened did not strike his soul. He boldly accepted the full responsibility of the event, and his darkened mind saw justification in the fact that among the hundreds of thousands of people who died there were fewer French than Hessians and Bavarians.

Several tens of thousands of people lay dead in different positions and uniforms in the fields and meadows that belonged to the Davydovs and state-owned peasants, in those fields and meadows in which for hundreds of years the peasants of the villages of Borodin, Gorki, Shevardin and Semyonovsky had simultaneously harvested crops and grazed livestock. At the dressing stations, about a tithe of space, the grass and soil were soaked in blood. Crowds of wounded and unwounded different teams of people, with frightened faces, on the one hand wandered back to Mozhaisk, on the other hand, back to Valuev. Other crowds, exhausted and hungry, led by their leaders, moved forward. Still others stood still and continued to shoot.
Over the entire field, previously so cheerfully beautiful, with its sparkles of bayonets and smoke in the morning sun, there now stood a haze of dampness and smoke and smelled of the strange acidity of saltpeter and blood. Clouds gathered and rain began to fall on the dead, on the wounded, on the frightened, and on the exhausted, and on the doubting people. It was as if he was saying: “Enough, enough, people. Stop it... Come to your senses. What are you doing?"
Exhausted, without food and without rest, the people of both sides began to equally doubt whether they should still exterminate each other, and hesitation was noticeable on all faces, and in every soul the question arose equally: “Why, for whom should I kill and be killed? Kill whoever you want, do whatever you want, but I don’t want any more!” By evening this thought had equally matured in everyone’s soul. At any moment all these people could be horrified by what they were doing, drop everything and run anywhere.
But although by the end of the battle people felt the full horror of their action, although they would have been glad to stop, some incomprehensible, mysterious force still continued to guide them, and, sweaty, covered in gunpowder and blood, left one by three, the artillerymen, although and stumbling and gasping from fatigue, they brought charges, loaded, aimed, applied wicks; and the cannonballs flew just as quickly and cruelly from both sides and flattened the human body, and that terrible thing continued to happen, which is done not by the will of people, but by the will of the one who leads people and worlds.
Anyone who looked at the upset behinds of the Russian army would say that the French only have to make one more small effort, and the Russian army will disappear; and anyone who looked at the behinds of the French would say that the Russians only have to make one more small effort, and the French will perish. But neither the French nor the Russians made this effort, and the flames of the battle slowly burned out.
The Russians did not make this effort because they were not the ones who attacked the French. At the beginning of the battle, they only stood on the road to Moscow, blocking it, and in the same way they continued to stand at the end of the battle, as they stood at the beginning of it. But even if the goal of the Russians was to shoot down the French, they could not make this last effort, because all the Russian troops were defeated, there was not a single part of the troops that was not injured in the battle, and the Russians, remaining in their places , lost half of their army.
The French, with the memory of all the previous victories of fifteen years, with the confidence of Napoleon's invincibility, with the consciousness that they had captured part of the battlefield, that they had lost only one-quarter of their men and that they still had twenty thousand intact guards, it was easy to make this effort. The French, who attacked the Russian army in order to knock it out of position, had to make this effort, because as long as the Russians, just like before the battle, blocked the road to Moscow, the French goal was not achieved and all their efforts and the losses were wasted. But the French did not make this effort. Some historians say that Napoleon should have given his old guard intact in order for the battle to be won. Talking about what would have happened if Napoleon had given his guard is the same as talking about what would have happened if spring had turned into autumn. This couldn't happen. Napoleon did not give his guards, because he did not want it, but this could not be done. All the generals, officers, and soldiers of the French army knew that this could not be done, because the fallen spirit of the army did not allow it.
Napoleon was not the only one who experienced that dream-like feeling that the terrible swing of his arm was falling powerlessly, but all the generals, all the soldiers of the French army who participated and did not participate, after all the experiences of previous battles (where, after ten times less effort, the enemy fled), experienced the same feeling of horror before that enemy who, having lost half the army, stood as menacingly at the end as at the beginning of the battle. The moral strength of the French attacking army was exhausted. Not the victory that is determined by the pieces of material picked up on sticks called banners, and by the space on which the troops stood and are standing, but a moral victory, one that convinces the enemy of the moral superiority of his enemy and of his own powerlessness, was won by the Russians under Borodin. The French invasion, like an enraged beast that received a mortal wound in its run, felt its death; but it could not stop, just as the twice weaker Russian army could not help but deviate. After this push, the French army could still reach Moscow; but there, without new efforts on the part of the Russian army, it had to die, bleeding from the fatal wound inflicted at Borodino. The direct consequence of the Battle of Borodino was the causeless flight of Napoleon from Moscow, the return along the old Smolensk road, the death of the five hundred thousandth invasion and the death of Napoleonic France, which for the first time at Borodino was laid down by the hand of the strongest enemy in spirit.

Absolute continuity of movement is incomprehensible to the human mind. The laws of any movement become clear to a person only when he examines arbitrarily taken units of this movement. But at the same time, from this arbitrary division of continuous movement into discontinuous units stems most of human error.
The so-called sophism of the ancients is known, which consists in the fact that Achilles will never catch up with the tortoise in front, despite the fact that Achilles walks ten times faster than the tortoise: as soon as Achilles passes the space separating him from the tortoise, the tortoise will pass ahead of him one tenth of this space; Achilles will walk this tenth, the tortoise will walk one hundredth, etc. ad infinitum. This task seemed insoluble to the ancients. The meaninglessness of the decision (that Achilles would never catch up with the tortoise) stemmed from the fact that discontinuous units of movement were arbitrarily allowed, while the movement of both Achilles and the tortoise was continuous.
By taking smaller and smaller units of movement, we only get closer to the solution of the problem, but never achieve it. Only by admitting an infinitesimal value and an ascending progression from it to one tenth and taking the sum of this geometric progression do we achieve a solution to the question. A new branch of mathematics, having achieved the art of dealing with infinitesimal quantities, and in other more complex questions of motion, now provides answers to questions that seemed insoluble.
This new, unknown to the ancients, branch of mathematics, when considering issues of motion, admits infinitesimal quantities, that is, those at which the main condition of motion is restored (absolute continuity), thereby correcting that inevitable mistake that the human mind cannot help but make when considering instead of continuous movement, individual units of movement.
In the search for the laws of historical movement, exactly the same thing happens.
The movement of humanity, resulting from countless human tyranny, occurs continuously.
Comprehension of the laws of this movement is the goal of history. But in order to comprehend the laws of continuous movement of the sum of all the arbitrariness of people, the human mind allows for arbitrary, discontinuous units. The first method of history is to take an arbitrary series of continuous events and consider it separately from the others, whereas there is not and cannot be the beginning of any event, and one event always follows continuously from another. The second technique is to consider the action of one person, a king, a commander, as the sum of the arbitrariness of people, while the sum of human arbitrariness is never expressed in the activity of one historical person.
Historical science, in its movement, constantly accepts smaller and smaller units for consideration and in this way strives to get closer to the truth. But no matter how small the units that history accepts, we feel that the assumption of a unit separated from another, the assumption of the beginning of some phenomenon and the assumption that the arbitrariness of all people is expressed in the actions of one historical person are false in themselves.
Every conclusion of history, without the slightest effort on the part of criticism, disintegrates like dust, leaving nothing behind, only due to the fact that criticism selects a larger or smaller discontinuous unit as the object of observation; to which it always has the right, since the historical unit taken is always arbitrary.
Only by allowing an infinitely small unit for observation - the differential of history, that is, the homogeneous drives of people, and having achieved the art of integrating (taking the sums of these infinitesimals), can we hope to comprehend the laws of history.
The first fifteen years of the 19th century in Europe represented an extraordinary movement of millions of people. People leave their usual occupations, rush from one side of Europe to the other, rob, kill one another, triumph and despair, and the whole course of life changes for several years and represents an intensified movement, which at first increases, then weakens. What was the reason for this movement or according to what laws did it occur? - asks the human mind.
Historians, answering this question, describe to us the actions and speeches of several dozen people in one of the buildings in the city of Paris, calling these actions and speeches the word revolution; then they give a detailed biography of Napoleon and some people sympathetic and hostile to him, talk about the influence of some of these people on others and say: this is why this movement occurred, and these are its laws.
But the human mind not only refuses to believe in this explanation, but directly says that the method of explanation is not correct, because with this explanation the weakest phenomenon is taken as the cause of the strongest. The sum of human arbitrariness made both the revolution and Napoleon, and only the sum of these arbitrarinesses tolerated them and destroyed them.
“But whenever there have been conquests, there have been conquerors; every time there were revolutions in the state, there were great people,” says history. Indeed, whenever conquerors appeared, there were wars, the human mind answers, but this does not prove that conquerors were the causes of wars and that it was possible to find the laws of war in the personal activity of one person. Every time, when I look at my watch, I see that the hand has approached ten, I hear that the gospel begins in the neighboring church, but from the fact that every time the hand comes to ten o’clock when the gospel begins, I I have no right to conclude that the position of the arrow is the reason for the movement of the bells.
Every time I see a steam locomotive moving, I hear the sound of a whistle, I see the opening of a valve and the movement of the wheels; but from this I have no right to conclude that the whistle and movement of the wheels are the causes of the movement of the locomotive.
The peasants say that a cold wind blows in late spring because the oak bud is unfurling, and indeed, every spring a cold wind blows when the oak tree is unfurling. But although the reason for the cold wind blowing when the oak tree unfurls is unknown to me, I cannot agree with the peasants that the cause of the cold wind is the unfurling of the oak bud, only because the force of the wind is beyond the influence of the bud. I see only the coincidence of those conditions that exist in every life phenomenon, and I see that, no matter how much and in what detail I observe the hand of a clock, the valve and wheels of a locomotive and the bud of an oak tree, I do not recognize the reason for the bell, the movement of the locomotive and the spring wind . To do this, I must completely change my point of observation and study the laws of the movement of steam, bells and wind. History should do the same. And attempts to do this have already been made.

There are much more popular countries in the world than one of the most picturesque countries of the former Yugoslavia. Until the situation changes and crowds of vacationers from all over the world pour here, we need to take advantage of the moment. High demand generates high prices. Today, Montenegro is one of the most budget-friendly countries for travelers. The country's tourism infrastructure is just beginning to develop, but local residents have long realized that their well-being directly depends on the number of vacationers in the country. Therefore, every tourist here is welcomed with open arms.

Advantages of Montenegro for tourists:

• no visa required;
• the Adriatic coast - the sea, like in Italy, only cleaner;
• accommodation in villas and cottages - all the amenities at a low cost;
• Mediterranean cuisine - huge portions in restaurants and very reasonable prices;
• small territory - it is possible to see neighboring countries without visas (Serbia, Croatia, Albania);
• cultural diversity - bright impressions are guaranteed;
• language - common Slavic roots will ensure mutual understanding without knowledge of foreign languages.

Let's take a closer look at the features of a budget holiday in Montenegro.

Road

The cheapest option for getting to Montenegro is a bus from Lviv. But in this case, you need to stock up on a transit visa through several Schengen countries, which makes the trip more expensive. And the road takes too long.

Without hassle, you can get to the capital of the country, Podgorica, by plane. No matter how much charter flights are praised, we can say with confidence that an independent route to the Adriatic will be cheaper. Charter flights are carried out only during the holiday season, when prices in Montenegro are much higher than at other times. The climate allows you to relax here all year round, which means you will have to take care of plane tickets yourself.

The cheapest round trip flight will cost 12,000 rubles. Flight from Air Serbia, with a transfer in Belgrade. The waiting time in the Serbian capital is at least 8 hours, which allows you to explore Belgrade on the way to Montenegro or back. This can be considered another advantage of such a trip.

A flight through Istanbul is slightly more expensive (16,000 rubles); five hours in ancient Constantinople allows you to use the services of the Turkish Airlines travel office to travel around the old city on a tourist bus for free. The tour lasts 3.5 hours. The service can be used by all passengers of the company who have a break between flights of more than 5 hours.

Accommodation

There are few hotels in Montenegro, the country is just beginning to build hotels, and investors, as usual, take a long time to calculate future profits. But this is not a problem at all. Local residents offer tourists accommodation in their houses on the coast or near it. You can rent an apartment, or an entire villa (which is especially beneficial if you are traveling in a large group).

3* apartments cost from 10 to 20 euros/day. A villa with sleeping places for 9-10 people will cost 130-140 euros/day. This option is suitable for a large and friendly company.

Most often, cheap housing assumes that you will eat on your own. This opens up new opportunities for tourists!

Nutrition

Saving on food in Montenegro can turn into an exciting game of spies and intelligence officers. It's all about the peculiarities of local trade. At local markets, prices for basic products are very low - for local residents. Tourists are told the price is 4-5 times higher. You can bargain until you completely lose your voice; getting a discount is almost impossible.

In supermarkets, prices are, of course, lower, but you will also have to spend money. The cheapest supermarket chain is RODA. It is better to buy bread and meat products in bakeries and butcher shops that are located away from tourist streets and squares. Locals will point out the best shops.

There is one secret that tourists use to save on groceries. You can ask the son of the apartment owner, neighbors, etc. to go to the market. Montenegrins know the peculiarities of market trade and will always help tourists. Any street boy, for a reward of 1 euro, will bring from the market a full bag of the freshest vegetables and fruits, sausages and ham, cheese and butter. A week's supply of food will cost 20 euros. Meet, communicate, make friends! The locals are very open and hospitable people.

Breakfast in a cafe will cost 3-4 euros. Dinner in a good restaurant - 10-12 euros. A bottle of the best local wine - 2-4 euros. Fish dishes are approximately two to three times more expensive than meat dishes. Locals do not like fish and seafood; tourists order these dishes in restaurants. Hence the prices.

What to see in Montenegro?

The small European country has not only a sea coast and comfortable beaches, protected from the wind by mountains, but also many different attractions. Natural beauties, cities, historical monuments, monasteries and temples - the most sophisticated travelers will be surprised how much interesting, unique and beautiful there is here.

Natural beauty

The nature of Montenegro is not only beautiful, but also clean. This is very rare in Europe. Lake Skadar is considered one of the most beautiful natural sites in the country.

There is a natural reserve park around the lake. You can get here by bus, train, car. The country is small, so traveling from end to end by taxi is common. A bus or train from any resort town takes no more than 1.5 - 2.5 hours to the lake. The cost of travel on public transport is 2-4 euros one way.

The following entertainment is available for tourists on the lake:

• A boat trip or a small yacht (from 15 euros/hour);
• Fishing (the cost depends on whether you are going to pick up your catch, or fishing only for sport) from 5 euros/day;
• Picking berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants - 5 euros/day;
• Accommodation in a tent on the lake - 5 euros/day;
• Many fish restaurants on the shore - lunch from 6 euros;
• You can swim in the lake for free; there are several well-equipped beaches.

Each park visitor is charged 4 euros for entry.

Another paradise of Montenegro is the island of St. Nicholas. The easiest way to get to an uninhabited and very picturesque island in the Adriatic is a water taxi that runs from the beaches of Budva (from 2 to 5 euros). The island has several small beaches and many coves where you can retire and spend an absolutely unforgettable few days in a tent. The island also has historical attractions: the Church of St. Nicholas and a medieval cemetery. If the church was built in the 16th century, then the crusaders who died of the plague during one of the crusades are buried in the cemetery.

In addition to stunning nature and historical monuments, it is on the island of St. Nikola that the best fish restaurants in Montenegro are located.

For fans of extreme sports, a visit to the Tara River canyon will be interesting. In winter people go skiing here, in summer this place is occupied by amateur climbers. The canyon has the reputation of being not only the largest in Europe, but also the most picturesque in the world.

Cities

Budva

An ancient city in Mediterranean style. An ancient fortress, churches, souvenir shops and time itself, lost in the narrow streets. Particularly worth paying attention to:

• The Grad Theater festival takes place in the summer and lasts a month and a half. At this time, Budva becomes a huge backdrop for the most incredible performances;
• The Gallery of Modern Art is an unexpectedly solid collection of works by local and European artists, which looks especially interesting in the medieval surroundings of the town;
• The Church of St. John is the oldest church in the city (founded in the 7th century). Among the temple decorations is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God;
• The Archaeological Museum has a rich collection of ancient and medieval artifacts.

The city simply transforms at night thanks to the lighting. Cafes and restaurants are open until the early morning during the season.

Kotor

An ancient resort town, which is known for the fact that even local residents, not to mention tourists, can get lost here. Getting lost in Kotor is a pleasure. Just then you will come across an object from the UNESCO World Heritage List. Can't miss:

• Fortress of St. Ivan - for the sake of the opening view of the harbor and the city, you can brave the 1,426-step staircase. Halfway along the road is a chapel built in honor of the deliverance from the plague in the 16th century;
• The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is the main shrine of the cathedral - the relics of the saint, after whom the temple is named. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with paintings by Renaissance masters, and in the crypt you can see a collection of church utensils made of precious metals made by local craftsmen;
• Maritime Museum - the exhibition will tell about the long and rich history of Montenegrin sailors; among the artifacts there are unique logbooks and the skeletons of ancient ships.

The local market, rich in delicacies, is famous among tourists. And convenient beaches and an abundance of guesthouses attract tourists here who are able to appreciate the silence and originality of a small town with a thousand-year history.

Podgorica

The capital of Montenegro will also delight you with unusual attractions:

• The ruins of the city of Duclia - the Roman provincial town was famous for the fact that Emperor Diocletian was born here. Although this place cannot be compared with Pompeii, lovers of antiquity will like it here;
• The Church of St. George - an ancient temple, although it was rebuilt countless times, managed to preserve ancient frescoes by an unknown master, which tourists come here to see;
• The Petrovich Art Gallery is an excellent gallery of contemporary art; the collection contains real masterpieces by artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

There is no point in staying in the capital for a long time for travelers. But dedicating one day is enough.

Monasteries

Prison

The most famous monastery in Montenegro. The best way to get to it is from the capital. You need to buy a bus ticket to Nikishovets and get off at the Ostrog stop. The monastery is about 12 kilometers away, but most pilgrims cover this path on foot. In the monastery you can venerate the relics of the saint and healer of Montenegro Vasily of Ostrog. There is a healing spring here, the water in which can heal from many diseases.

Cetinje Monastery

The monastery is famous for its relics, which attract pilgrims from all over the Orthodox world. Here are the right hand of John the Baptist, particles of the Life-giving Cross, and relics of Orthodox saints.

Numerous travel agencies in Montenegro offer tourists special “monastery tours”. The cost of such a trip can reach hundreds of euros. Thrifty tourists travel around a small and cozy country on their own and save quite seriously. In addition, during your visit to Montenegro you can visit neighboring countries.

Close to Montenegro

The small size of Montenegro is rather an advantage over other European countries, since it makes it possible to visit several more countries at minimal cost.

Croatia

The famous Dubrovnik is very close. But visiting, despite the lack of a visa regime, is associated with some bureaucratic difficulties. It is better not to go on this trip from Montenegro on your own. However, a one-day tour will cost 30 euros. It's not that much money to refuse to visit:

• Princely Palace;
• Franciscan monastery;
• Bourbon Street;
• Ancient forts and temples.

Albania

You can go on your own, but it is better to use the services of a travel company. There is not much time for independent travel, but there is so much I want to know. A trip to the most “forgotten” country in Europe will cost 50 euros. But as a result, there is an opportunity to visit:

• The city of Cruia is one of the oldest in the Old World, rivaling Rome itself in age;
• The city of Shkodra is the opposite shore of the famous Montenegrin lake;
• Tasting local cuisine.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Feel free to go here on your own. If possible, stay in the city of Trebinje for a couple of days. In addition to new experiences, travelers have the opportunity to buy food for several days - prices here are much lower than in Montenegro. Among the main attractions of the city:

• Hercegovacka Gracanica is a monastery surrounded by a flowering garden. It offers excellent views of the city;
• The Osman Pasha Mosque is an architectural monument of the 18th century; the most interesting thing here is a mixture of Slavic and Islamic culture. Muslim Slavs are generally interesting;
• Restaurant Vukoje - wine cellar, the most delicious meat dishes. The restaurant is popular, it is better to reserve a table in advance. The average bill is up to 7 euros.

Italy

From Montenegro you can also get to Italy. But you will need a Schengen visa, and the trip itself will cost several hundred euros, which cannot be considered a budget trip. And there is no special need for this trip - the nature is absolutely the same, the food is very similar in taste and quality. But the difference in prices is quite impressive.

Transport

The best way to get around Montenegro is by bus; it is both more convenient and cheaper than all other types of transport.

For those who prefer complete freedom, it is possible to rent a car. Such a service costs from 25 euros/day. But there is one circumstance that may change your intention: there are many mountain roads in Montenegro - serpentines. You need to have good driving experience and be a confident driver to cope with all the difficulties.

In season or out of season? When is the best time to go?

The “high” tourist season in Montenegro lasts from mid-May to early October. At this time, hotel prices double, and the picture is the same in restaurants. Budget-conscious tourists prefer to come here in April or October. The weather is not warm enough to swim in the sea (although the water temperature of 17-18 degrees has never stopped Russian tourists), but sunny enough to sunbathe.

In April and October, numerous street cafes are already open, but there are still few tourists and there are plenty of vacancies in hotels and guesthouses. These two months can be considered optimal for a budget trip to Montenegro.

Carefully! Fraudsters!

This is not to say that Montenegro is a dangerous country. On the contrary, it is very calm and safe here. Russians are treated with sympathy and respect. But the low standard of living of the local population pushes many resourceful young people to not entirely plausible actions. It is important for a tourist to remember a few simple rules to avoid trouble:

• Never buy travel vouchers for trips within and outside the country from street “distributors”. These are scammers. Even if the offer looks very tempting, remember, the “seller” will disappear with your money and you will be left with a useless piece of paper in your hands. Don't trust smiles and convincing arguments!
• Buy wine only in stores and supermarkets. At the market, most likely, they will give you a taste of a delicious local product, but they will sell the bottle with a dubious drink;
• Romanian and Bulgarian gypsies guard naive tourists in the busiest places to offer “gold” at a discount, perfume “as a gift” and a set of “Zepter” dishes for the price of aluminum forks.

That's all the precautions; observing them won't become tiresome, will it?

Montenegro is one of the most beautiful and inexpensive countries that offer a beautiful holiday on the shores of the warm sea.

general information

The world knows the small state on the Balkan Peninsula as Montenegro, but in the native language of the local population it would be correct to say Crna Gora. The Lovćen massif, which was once called the “black mountain”, rises above the Bay of Kotor - the largest bay of the Adriatic Sea - and has been a national park for more than half a century. Despite the fact that the length of its land borders is only 625 kilometers, it has five neighbors: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and the partially recognized Republic of Kosovo.

Today, more and more travelers are discovering Montenegro as a new destination for an interesting and eventful holiday. A quarter of the three-hundred-kilometer coastline is occupied by excellent beaches, next to which there is infrastructure for guests with different financial capabilities. But Montenegro can boast of not only the sea! The ancient architecture of Herceg Novi, Kotor, Cetinje and other cities, the vibrant nightlife of Budva, the beauty of Lake Skadar and the Tara River canyon, mountains and monasteries built on their slopes, noisy festivals and fairs, mild climate and temperamental locals... Everyone will find something to do decorate your collection of vacation memories!

Cities of Montenegro

All cities of Montenegro

Geography and climate

Montenegro is a state so compact that, for example, within the boundaries of the Greater New York agglomeration it could comfortably accommodate twice. Moreover, on an area of ​​13,812 sq. km live only 622 thousand people: Montenegrins, Serbs, Bosnians, Albanians, Gypsies, Croats and representatives of other nationalities.

Don't let the name fool you. Montenegro is not at all the Balkan analogue of high-mountain Nepal; most of the country is located on the Dinaric Highlands. The central regions, including the two largest cities, Podgorica and Niksic, lie in the relatively flat basin of Lake Skadar. Only in the northeast, where the border with Albania and Kosovo passes, does the ridge of the North Albanian Alps rise. The slopes of the Prokletiye Mountains, as this massif is also called, are covered with deciduous and coniferous forests up to a height of 1700–1800 meters. 8% of the republic’s territory is considered protected areas; they try to preserve the endemic flora and fauna of the Balkan Peninsula.

The climate of the main part of the country is temperate continental, and the Adriatic coast belongs to the Mediterranean zone, which is characterized by long and relatively dry summers with average temperatures of +23–25°C. This allows the holiday season to open at the end of April and actively receive vacationers until the end of October.

When to go

The most pleasant times of the year in Montenegro are spring and autumn: starting from the end of March, when the snow and cold disappear even from the mountainous regions, until the beginning of June or September-October, when the summer flow of vacationers has subsided and the trees are covered with gold, but the sea is still warm and in You can swim there. July and August will be the best months only for those who love crowds and fun family holidays. As one hotel owner recently put it about the “Montenegrin Riviera”: while those under thirty will enjoy the bustling nightlife and lively beaches in July-August, those who value a quieter holiday will benefit from visiting in April-June or September -October. In the mountains, temperatures in July and August are guaranteed to be moderate.

A little history

The Slavs settled in the territory that once belonged to the Roman province of Dalmatia in the 6th century, and already in 1042 the Serbs, after a resounding victory over the Byzantines, defended the independence of their own state, known as Duklja. It soon received recognition from the head of the Catholic Church and the status of a kingdom. But the descendants of Stefan Vojislav, who did not have the steady hand and strategic mind of their ancestor, gradually lost power over the Travuniya, Zakhumie, Bosnia and Raska he conquered. In the 12th century, these lands became the prey of more powerful neighbors, and the latter completely absorbed the Dukland state by the end of the century.

In Byzantine chronicles, the newly formed principality began to be called Zeta, named after the river flowing in the west of the Balkan Peninsula. After a short period of independence, it was forced to accept the protectorate of the Venetians in order to avoid capture by the Turks. However, it was not possible to restrain the encroachments of the Ottoman army for long. The triumphant Feriz Bey annexed Zeta to the Skadar sanjak. In one of the official documents of Dubrovnik for 1376, the former principality is called Montenegro. It is believed that this is the first documented mention of the new toponym.

From 1516 to 1852, there was an ecclesiastical state of Montenegro, led by bishops and metropolitans with the title of bishop. When the country became secular again, the rulers turned into princes and kings. During the Balkan Wars of the early 20th century, Montenegro expanded its territory and in 1918 became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which after World War II transformed into the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Every European knows about the armed confrontation that followed the collapse of this state entity, but it is not worth discussing a painful topic with local residents.

From 1992 to 2003, Montenegro was part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and after its renaming - into the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. According to the results of a referendum held in May 2006, the country received the status of an independent republic. Today it is a member of NATO and has official candidate status for membership of the European Union.

Resorts

Where should those who decide to get to know the nature and culture of Montenegro go better? The choice is quite wide, it all depends on what kind of leisure time you and your companions prefer. For example, Sveti Stefan is an ideal option for wealthy travelers who are accustomed to receiving the best service and especially comfortable living conditions. Holidays in Herceg Novi will give a lot of bright and pleasant moments to families with children of different ages. Budva will not let regulars of nightclubs and bars get bored. Kotor invites guests to touch the heritage of distant eras. And Ada Bayana attracts many naturists from all over Europe every year. But first things first!

Tivat

It comes first on our list not because of particularly rave reviews, but because this is where most tourists begin their adventures - four kilometers from the city, in the Grbalj Valley, the international airport is located. It was built during World War II as a military service, but since 1957 it has been reoriented to work with civilian flights - first domestic, from Belgrade, Zagreb and Skopje, and after the construction of the modern terminal it receives Boeings and Airbuses from London, Moscow, Paris, Frankfurt, Stockholm, Prague and other European capitals.

If you don't like long journeys, you can stop right here. Not at the airport, of course, but in a hotel you like next to one of the best sandy beaches in Montenegro - Plavi Horizonti - or in an apartment on the Island of Flowers. The latter, contrary to its name, is not famous for its flora (there are many flowers in any of the seaside resorts of Montenegro). Locals call it Miholska Prevlaka because the monastery of the Archangel Michael is located here.

The main disadvantage of this generally very pleasant place is that at the peak of the holiday season the city is crowded with vacationers, and it is not so easy to find a free sun lounger on the warm sand.

Budva

The most famous resort of the country is separated from the “gates of the Adriatic” by some 20 kilometers. However, the journey from the second international airport of Montenegro, Podgorica, will not take more than an hour and a half. The developed tourist infrastructure is successfully complemented by clean beaches with surprisingly clear water, interesting architecture of the old town, atmospheric restaurants and taverns, amusement parks for the whole family, nightclubs and bars with a noteworthy cocktail list.

Of course, popularity goes hand in hand with the corresponding price level. But even with a modest budget, it’s quite possible to have a good time in Budva. The main thing is to think in advance about booking affordable accommodation - during the high season, only expensive hotels can offer free rooms upon arrival.

Within the city there are 6 equipped beaches, both sandy and pebble. Most of them are free; you will only have to spend money on renting sun loungers and umbrellas if you want to stay in comfort. The central "Slavyansky" is quite "densely populated", but this drawback is compensated by the presence of fresh water showers, locker rooms, playgrounds and water slides.

The small municipal beach “Guvantse” also provides vacationers with good infrastructure, a gentle shore with convenient entry into the water and the opportunity to admire the sunset, but due to its location on the outskirts there are much fewer people here. And don’t let this definition scare you - given the modest scale of the city, you can get here from the center on foot or by public transport, which moves towards Becici.

You can combine sightseeing in the Old Town and swimming on the beaches “Richardova Glava” and “Pizana”, and if you are not too lazy to walk a little, you will find yourself on the most picturesque beach of the Budva Riviera, “Mogren”. To lie by the water, surrounded by layered rocks and lush greenery, we recommend taking a place in the morning; by midday in July-August there is nowhere for an apple to fall. The area is owned by one of the hotels, so an entrance fee may apply, but in practice travelers rarely encounter this.

A certified diving center has been opened in the vicinity of Budva, where beginners can undergo training and book dives with an instructor at interesting points along the coast. Experienced divers will be interested in coral reefs, the Galiola rock with tunnels and several shipwrecks in the bay.

The historical center will delight lovers of antiquities with the medieval citadel, which is the calling card of the city and is depicted on most samples of souvenirs, the ancient churches of St. John, St. Mary, Holy Trinity, St. Sava and the rich exhibition of the local archeology museum.

Becici and Rafailovici

These compact resort villages are located a few kilometers from Budva; you can easily get here along the Adriatic Highway or in a tourist mini-train, which makes stops near the hotels. Narrow and winding streets lined with greenery lead down to the impressively clear water. Travelers can choose between hotels of different star ratings, villas and private guest houses. Accommodation here is often preferred by families with children or people who seek a quiet and secluded holiday. But peace does not mean boredom! When you want to diversify your “beach” days on a wide sandy shore, you can play sports. There are excellent conditions for lovers of water skiing, rafting, paragliding, tennis, beach soccer, basketball and volleyball. Do you dream of bringing back more beautiful photos from your vacation? Take one of the many bus tours around Montenegro and Albania. And if you have an open Italian visa in your passport, take the ferry to Bari to admire the medieval architecture and three dozen ancient churches, one of which houses the relics of St. Nicholas.

Another place for peace and relaxation. The town on the shore of a beautiful bay is surrounded by pine and olive groves, where it is pleasant to walk during the hottest hours. I want to spend the rest of my time near the water. The city beach has access to the embankment, along which there are cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops, and shops. Lucice is a little more “wild”, but there are also showers, toilets, changing rooms and sun lounger rentals. There is also a fish restaurant, from the terrace of which there is a wonderful view of the sea and rocks. The 16th-century Venetian fortress has now been converted into a nightclub, but the music from here will not disturb the sleep of vacationers. The main entertainment is boat trips to the nearest islands. There is a small chapel on the rocky top of the island of St. Nedelya, and Katic is interesting for its lighthouse.

Much richer in attractions than other cities of the Montenegrin Adriatic. In 1979, thanks to its unique architectural ensemble and well-preserved medieval quarters, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The old city is surrounded by truly massive fortress walls: their height in some areas reaches 20 meters and their thickness is 16 meters. Inside are the Prince's Palace, the Clock Tower, palaces of noble families, churches from the 12th–18th centuries and the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, where the first Croatian king Tomislav was crowned. In addition, Kotor has been the center of cultural life in the region for many years; it welcomes participants in a variety of festivals.

The city and its surrounding nature are very beautiful, but as a place of permanent deployment they are not very suitable for seaside recreation. There are no really good beaches here, and the water is not as clean as on other parts of the coast.

An option for a relaxing family holiday and people who want to improve their health. This is where the huge center for physiotherapy, rehabilitation and resort treatment “Igalo” is located. With the help of qualified personnel, modern medical equipment, sea mud, mineral radon baths in the mild climate of the Bay of Kotor, they improve the condition of people suffering from cardiac, neurological, gynecological, skin diseases, or recovering from injuries to the musculoskeletal system, surgical operations.

But Herceg Novi has a lot of attractive things for ordinary travelers. Municipal gardens and parks display more than a hundred species of tropical and subtropical flora, including relict plants. Over the centuries of its existence, the city remembers different rulers, so its architectural appearance intertwines features of traditional Balkan, Ottoman and even Austrian architecture. The latter donated the city hall and a fort on the prison island of Mamula, which is definitely worth a boat ride to.

The sea fortress, built on the coastal cliffs by the founder of Herceg Novi, King Tvrtko I, preserves evidence of the presence of Bosnian nobles, Turkish troops and Venetians in it. The Turks left as a memory of their rule Kanli-Kula - the Bloody Tower, where today there is a beautiful summer theater, Sat-Kula - the Clock Tower. Monuments of religious architecture are the Church of St. Michael the Archangel on Belavista Square and the Baroque Savina Monastery two kilometers east of the city.

Herceg Novi's own beach is too small to accommodate all the holidaymakers, but the beautiful beaches of the Luštinice peninsula are nearby. You can get here by boat, which runs several times a day during the season according to a schedule, or with the help of local boatmen.

Ulcinj

If Herceg Novi is a stone's throw from Croatia, then Ulcinj is located next to the Albanian border. The country's southernmost resort has an average of 217 sunny days a year. More only in Spain, Italy and Cyprus! The peculiarities of the mineral composition of the water and the physical properties of the sand make a holiday here not only relaxing, but also therapeutic.

Founded by the Greeks, given its name by the Romans, under the Ottomans it became a pirate stronghold of the Mediterranean and a safe haven for Christians under the Venetians... On the streets of the Old Town you can see architectural monuments of different styles and nations. Churches were rebuilt into mosques, and the palaces of Venetian nobles became modern hotels.

According to local legend, the Turks held Miguel Cervantes captive in the Ulcinj fortress and it was here that the image of Don Quixote’s beloved Dulcinea of ​​Toboso was born. If the beauty of nature excites you more than literary characters, go to the nearby Skadar Lake. In this national park you can watch bird life and simply admire the scenery.

The small island is separated from Ulcinj by 25 kilometers. The status of a reserve allowed the nature to be preserved almost untouched. An interesting feature is that the triangular piece of land is washed on one side by the salty Adriatic, and on the other two by the fresh waters of the Boyan River. On the “sea” shore there is a wide beach with unusually soft sand, which shimmers in different shades in the sunlight. The photogenic wooden houses of local fishermen stand just above the water.

But what makes this place famous throughout the continent are its hotels and beaches for naturists. Naked vacationers swim, sunbathe, play sports on the tennis, volleyball, basketball courts and even ride horses at the riding school.

Saint Stephen

There is little in this luxury retreat that suggests the past of an ordinary fishing village. Luxury apartments with panoramic terraces, designer furniture and “smart” plumbing are designed to make guests’ holiday truly luxurious. Yacht trips, diving, cocktails in cozy bars, a promenade in the magnificent park of the village of Milocer attract the rich and famous to the Montenegrin resort: businessmen, Hollywood stars and even members of the royal families of Great Britain and the Netherlands.

In Montenegro, many spectacular events are held to the delight of foreigners and local residents, some of them have historical roots, others were organized more recently.

With the beginning of the maritime season, large-scale international music and dance festivals start on the Budva Riviera. “Song of the Mediterranean” has become a launching pad in the careers of many young performers, and both professionals and ordinary spectators are happy to watch the competition of the best dance schools in the region.

In July, a large stage is built on Jaz beach near Budva for the Sea Dance festival. Bar hosts the multicultural “Bar Chronicle”, during which you can attend performances by Montenegrin and foreign theater companies, literary evenings, art exhibitions, sacred music concerts and the Mediterranean Book Fair. Herceg Novi opens its doors to fans of classical melodies and young talents - music lovers from all over Europe come to the local “Days of Music” and “Sunny Stairs”. The KotorART festival of classical, sacred, instrumental and chamber music attracts just as many people.

And already in mid-August, Kotor, rich in monuments of medieval architecture, awaits guests for a large-scale celebration. “Bokelska Night” is reminiscent of Venetian celebrations. Its main highlight is the fashion show of boats, the owners of which work on the intricate thematic decoration for several days or even weeks - it is very honorable to become a winner in this competition. On the city streets you can hear live music, theatrical and dance performances, and the evening ends with a grandiose fireworks display, which is reflected in the dark waters of the Bay of Kotor.

At the end of the “high” season, we recommend visiting Petrovac. As part of “Petrovachka Night”, you will see a festive procession of the city orchestra and the beautiful Budva majorettes - girl drummers in bright military uniforms; you will be able to listen to performances not only by city musicians, but also by popular pop singers of Montenegro. And gourmets will definitely be impressed by the tasting of local wines, beers, spirits and seafood. Note, it's free!

Fans of contemporary art will be delighted to see the well-established FIAT festival of alternative theaters in Podgorica. And those who prefer traditions and folklore will find charming the Lastovsky festival in a village near Tivat, the International Tambourine Orchestra Festival in Bijelo Polje, and the Montenegrin folk music festival in Cetinje. Do you want something especially authentic? Have you ever heard about the unique style of singing of the peoples of the South Adriatic? Welcome to the International Clapper Music Festival in Perast!

In general, Montenegro is only boring for those who are too lazy to look for information about events happening nearby!

is a state in Southern Europe located on the Balkan Peninsula. In the southeast it borders with Albania, in the south it is separated from Italy by the Adriatic Sea, in the west it has borders with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The length of the sea coast of Montenegro (including the Malente Islands) is 293.5 km.

The name comes from the toponym Black Mountain.

Official name: Montenegro (Crna Gora).

Capital: Podgorica

The area of ​​the land: 13,812 sq. km

Total Population: 620 thousand people

Administrative division: Montenegro is divided into 21 communities.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Population composition: 57% are Montenegrins, 30.% are Serbs, 7.77% are Bosnians, 3% are Albanians, 1% are Russians, 0.42% are Roma.

Official language: Montenegrin. Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian and Albanian are also recognized as official languages.

Religion: 74.24% are Orthodox, 17.74% are Muslim, 3.54% are Catholic.

Internet domain: .me

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +382

Country barcode: 389

Climate

Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry and hot summers and cool winters with heavy rainfall. Despite the fact that the country's territory is small, 4 climatic regions can be distinguished here: coast, rocky plateau, plain and highlands.

A narrow strip, 2 - 10 km wide, along the coast of Montenegro, bears the most pronounced features of the Mediterranean climate. Summer there is hot (average daily temperature in July is 28..30 C), and there is little precipitation (25 - 50 mm per month). The rainy period lasts from November to January, during which time 170 - 260 mm falls per month; in the north of the coast 1.5 times more precipitation falls than in the south. The average monthly temperature at night in January does not fall below 4..5 C, and during the day 11..13 C. Negative temperatures are not observed every year. The swimming season lasts 5 months from the end of May to October, the water temperature is 20..25 C.

A rocky plateau separates the coast from the interior of the country. It receives the most rainfall in Europe, as its southwestern slopes trap moist air coming from the sea. Thus, in the village of Krivosie, located above the Bay of Kotor, 480 mm of precipitation per day was recorded. In the town of Crkvice, the maximum annual rainfall fell - 5155 mm, and in the cultural capital of the country, Cetinje, located on a plateau near Mount Lovcen - the maximum average annual rainfall (3927 mm/year). Just like on the coast, in summer there is noticeably less precipitation (60 - 80 mm in July), and the rainiest month is November (500 - 700 mm).

The difference in altitude between the coast and the plateau is on average 1000 m, and the height of some peaks reaches 1700 m. Therefore, in the summer it is cooler here than on the coast; the average daily temperature in July varies from 23 to 27 C depending on the altitude. In winter, the average temperature at night is -3..-5 C, and during the day 5..8 C. Snow usually falls in December and persists until mid-March.

The plain is protected by a rocky plateau from the direct influence of the Adriatic Sea, so in summer it is hotter than on the coast (average daytime temperature in July 30..32oC), and in winter it is cooler: on average 0..3oC at night and 9..11oC during the day. Precipitation occurs mainly in autumn and winter. In July, 30 - 60 mm of precipitation falls, and in November 250 - 300 mm.

The climate of the highlands has subalpine features. In winter, the average temperature at night is -6..-9 C, and during the day 0..3oC, but it decreases with altitude. Snow usually falls at the end of November and persists until the end of March. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year, with a maximum in November (can fall from 100 to 300 mm per month depending on the orientation of the slope). Summer is cool, the average temperature during the day is 19..23 C (high in the mountains it can be colder!), and at night 8..10 C.

Best time to visit:

July and August are the best months for a beach holiday - the hottest, driest and sunny months. In September, when the sea is still warm and the main wave of tourists has already subsided, you can also have a great holiday at sea. Diving, windsurfing, paragliding and other sports, as well as sightseeing, can be practiced almost all year round, except November-December. You can safely travel to mountainous regions from April to October. The ski season lasts from December to March.

Geography

Montenegro is a small country located in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Adriatic Sea coast. Its area is only 13.8 thousand km2. However, 4 different natural and climatic regions can be distinguished on the territory of the country: coastal, plateau, highland and flat, leading to Lake Skadar.

In the west, Montenegro borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the coast with Croatia, in the north and northeast with Serbia, and in the east with Albania. From the south it is limited by the Adriatic Sea, the length of the coastline is about 300 km. The length of the beaches is 73 km, of which 56 km are sandy beaches.

The coast of Montenegro, only 2-10 km wide, is sandwiched between the sea and a rocky plateau that falls steeply towards it. Montenegro is home to one of the best harbors in Europe - the Bay of Kotor (protrudes into the coast for more than 20 km), consisting of several spacious bays connected by narrow canals. For a long time there was a belief that the bay was a fjord, but now it is believed that the Bay of Kotor is the remains of a river canyon that once existed here. Strong tectonic and karst processes led to its gradual destruction.

A karst plateau rises above the coast; the terrain here is harsh, but beautiful in its own way. The rocks dry out quickly: even the heaviest annual rainfalls cannot significantly moisten the soil, so there are few plants and animals here. Rare areas of fertile land are found only on small plains and crater-shaped depressions. The Lovcen National Park is located here.

The basin of Lake Skadar, the fertile plain of the Zeta River, the Bjelopavlica plain and the Nikšić field make up a flat region with an elevation difference of 350 m. The bulk of the population of Montenegro lives in the flat region. Here are the two largest cities of the country - Podgorica and Niksic, as well as the Skadar Lake national park.

In the north of the country, northeast of the Piva, Komarnica and Moraca rivers, there is a highland region. In the highlands, 4 large mountain ranges can be distinguished: Visitor, Durmitor and Komovi (they form the Dinaric Highlands) and Prokletiye (Cursed Mountains). The height of the peaks reaches more than 2000 m above sea level. The highest point of Montenegro - Mount Bobotov Kuk (2522 m) is located in the Durmitor massif.

In the highlands there are pastures and forests, and numerous mountain lakes. The rivers Piva, Tara, Moraca and their tributaries have carved narrow canyons with steep banks in the rocks. The Tara River canyon is the largest in Europe and the second in the world, its depth reaches 1300 m. There are also two national parks in this region - Biogradska Gora and Durmitor.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The flora of Montenegro is very rich, despite the harsh conditions in the mountainous regions that occupy most of the country. Here, on just 0.14% of Europe's territory, 2,833 plant species grow, accounting for almost a quarter of the species of European flora. On the coast you can find olive and fruit groves, cypress trees, palm trees and grapes. However, most of the coastal cliffs are covered with maquis - dense thickets of evergreen shrubs characteristic of the Mediterranean.

Higher in the mountains there are oak and coniferous forests. The Bjelasica mountain range, where the Biogradska Gora National Park is located, is covered with mixed forest. There are 86 tree species here, including spruce, fir, beech, elm, oak, maple and even rowan. Alpine edelweiss, which has become rare, as well as mountain cornflowers and violets grow in the mountains; such vegetation is typical for the belt of alpine meadows.

In the area of ​​another national park, Lake Skadar, the terrain is completely different. The main part of its coast is marshy, overgrown with reeds, and the surface of the lake is covered with a carpet of yellow and white water lilies. Many types of vegetation are endemic, i.e. found only in this area.

Animal world

The fauna of Montenegro is also rich. Predators in mountainous areas include wolves, bears, and foxes. Their prey includes deer, fallow deer, chamois, wild goats, hares and gophers. There are wild boars in the valleys. The Adriatic Sea is home to several hundred species of fish, including sea bass, mullet, red mullet, as well as shrimp, lobster, and octopus.

The rivers are rich in trout, perch, carp, catfish, carp and pike. Lake Skadar is home to 50 species of fish; the local population hunts mainly for bleak and carp. In addition, Lake Skadar is a permanent or temporary habitat for 270 bird species. Here you can see colonies of pelicans, cormorants, herons and black ibises. The lake attracts bird watchers from all over the world.

Attractions

On the territory of Montenegro, many historical and cultural monuments have been preserved, and most of them, despite the numerous wars that have swept through this land, are in excellent condition. Hundreds of medieval monasteries and ancient cities, dozens of balneological resorts, unique natural complexes of the southern Balkans, tens of kilometers of beaches of the Montenegrin Riviera, good-natured and friendly people - this is not a complete list of the advantages of this country.

Even during the unified Yugoslavia, Montenegro was the main tourist area of ​​the country. Thanks to the varied terrain, clear mountain rivers, warm sea (considered, by the way, the cleanest in Europe), luxurious coastline (length is 290 km, beaches - 73 km, 56 km of which are sandy, which is quite rare for this region), excellent climate and status as a European ecological park, this tiny country is one of the recognized centers of tourism in Europe.

Banks and currency

The monetary unit is the euro (coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro cents, 1 and 2 euros; banknotes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros).

The National Bank of Montenegro is open from Monday to Friday (10:30-14:00). Commercial banks are open from 08:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays - from 08:00 to 13:00, Sunday - closed. On weekends you can use exchange offices. There are many ATMs in Montenegro, through which you can make transactions with foreign currency. ATMs are installed in banks, airports and some hotels. Some shops and hotels accept credit cards. In the bank you can always find several employees who speak English or Russian.

Useful information for tourists

Montenegrins are extremely tolerant of manifestations of interethnic differences, even the issue of interethnic conflicts in the Balkans. But it is not recommended to talk about politics or the collapse of the SFRY.

The crime rate is low. The police strictly suppress any manifestations of deception of foreign tourists, but at the everyday level there are frequent cases of petty fraud or an allegedly suddenly appeared language barrier, so you should be especially careful when discussing financial issues and never give money in advance, before the service is provided.

Tips in restaurants usually amount to 5% of the bill.

For drinking, it is better to use mineral or bottled water.

The price level in the country is quite low, but varies markedly depending on location. In coastal areas everything is about 25% more expensive.

A few years ago the question “Where is Montenegro?” was almost the most popular on thematic forums. Let's try to give the most detailed answer about this country. The residents here are quite friendly, and it is understandable for Russian-speaking tourists.

Montenegro. Where is this located?

Montenegro is a small country - only 13,812 km², making it the 155th largest in the world. Montenegro is located on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula, that is, in southeastern Europe. It’s very warm here and just amazingly clean and transparent.

What countries does Montenegro border with?

WITH Italy Montenegro borders - here you can buy Italian shoes and clothes. Tourists with an open Schengen visa can easily travel to Italy from the city of Bar.

Land borders of Montenegro:

• — visa-free regime, .
• Serbia - usually excursion programs to Serbia are not offered.
• The Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognized state.
• — no visa required, excursions offered.
• Croatia is part of the European Union. You can try to get a visa to Croatia in. That is, without open Schengen visas There’s no way to go to Dubrovnik. If you read it somewhere else, that information is simply outdated.

Montenegro on the map

Of course, the list on the map is far from complete. Read our blog, there are very good and large number of articles about.

Visa regime with Montenegro

The country is not a member of the European Union, and entry into its territory is visa-free for residents:

• Russian Federation (RF)
• Ukraine
• Belarus
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Estonia

Please note that tourists from Russia can stay in the country without obtaining a visa. no more than 90 days(the lines were increased on May 12, 2016; if you find 30 days somewhere, the information is outdated).

For tourists from Ukraine, the length of stay was previously 90 days.

Climate of Montenegro

Beaches and water in Montenegro

Beaches in Montenegro are mostly sand and pebbles or concrete. In or the water will be warmer, and on the coast a little cooler - about +27 °C.

Even if advertising materials promise sandy beaches, you shouldn’t believe them. Real sand is found here only next to. There are beaches with imported sand and pebbles, but by the beginning of August all the sand is washed out into the sea and the beach turns into pebbles.

Cultural attractions

The main cultural attractions of Montenegro are:

• - the ancient capital of the country.
• - a city called “little Venice”. The architecture here is typically Italian, but of course you won't see any canals. But you can look at the fortress wall, which is second in length after the Great Wall of China.
• Petr Njeguš's grave is located in the Lovcin National Park. Petar Njeguš, the greatest Lord of Montenegro, was considered the most handsome man on earth. They say that when he visited the Russian court, the ladies fainted en masse.
• - one of the most beautiful corners in the country. After his visit, we associate Montenegro with this place.
• - one of the most luxurious. Very rich and famous people vacation here.

Religious sites

• - considered one of the most visited monasteries in the world (included in the TOP-3). Pilgrims of all faiths come here: Orthodox, Catholics and Muslims. The relics of St. Basil of Ostrog are kept here.