Lovćen mountain range is natural, historical, cultural ans spiritual symbol for all Montenegrins. On Lovćen is placed the mausoleum of the greatest son of the nation – Petar Petrovic II Njegoš, a poet, philosopher, prince-bishop and statesman from 19th century, a prominent member of old Montenegrin ruling family Petrović. Njegoš was born in the village of Njeguši below the Lovćen mountain.
I want to tell you something about Lovcen, about a beautiful Montenegrin hill. The first thing that emerges in front of you, that is it; the first spoken Montenegrin word is its name; the first step on the Montenegrin soil is the stone of the Lovcen mountain. Wherever you go, you can see it; it is a polar star for Montenegrins.
Today, Njegoš is buried in a sarcophagus in a mausoleum on the top of Lovćen mountain. Domestic name of Montenegro country is Crna Gora which means Black Mountain. For Montenegrins the mountains means a strong symbol of honour, dignity and humanity. Because of Njegoš, Lovćen gives them special national identity.
Forest trail going through the park.
The mountain range
Lovćen is a mountain range in the system of Dinaric Alps, which rises steep from the edge of Adriatic area, above coastal Montenegro. From Lovćen you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Boka Kotorska bay, one of the most beautiful scenery in whole Montenegro. To the east and south-east, slopes of Lovćen stretch all the way to karstic field of Cetinje and hills to the Rijeka Crnojevića river, a tributary of the Skadarsko Jezero lake. To the north and northeast Lovćen stretch to the Montenegrin karst. From the coast the mountain rises very steep. From the Boka Kotorska especially, it rises as a huge stony wall.
The mountain here falls almost directly into water, specially if you see Lovćen from Kotor or Perast. From the other, continental side, Lovćen rises more gentle and gradually. National park encompasses the central and the highest part of Lovćen mountain massif and covers an area of 62.20 km². It was proclaimed a national park in 1952. Besides Lovćen’s natural beauties, national park was established to protect rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the area. The highest peak of the national park is the peak Štirovnik (1.749 meter), which is also the highest peak of Lovćen mountain range.
Television and radio station located at the peak of mount Stirovnik.
Lovćen national park has a beautiful setting; from Lovćen, there is beautiful view of the Kotor Bay, the view of the open sea, of the Skadarsko Jezero lake, Cetinje, and even of the distant Prokletije mountain range. One of the most beautiful parts of the Lovćen national park is the resort Ivanova Korita (1261 meter), situated on the eastern slope of Jezerski Peak, in a valley covered with forests and meadows. This is a well-known vacation resort for children, which is open even during the winter. Above the resort, there is a ski slope, with the ski lift. Ivanova korita got its name after Ivan Crnojevic (former ruler of Montenegro).
Njegusi (880 meter – 940 meter ) is picturesque mountainous village, placed on Cetinje–Kotor road in Njegusko polje, a carstic field surrounded with mountains from all sides, except on western side where Krstac pass is situated (965 m), from where you can enjoy in best view to Boka Kotorska bay. Jezerski Peak (1.675 meter) is the second highest point of the national park; there is a mausoleum of the famous Montenegrin poet and ruler Petar II Petrovic Njegoš on the mountain top. Its foundations were built into six-meter-deep mountain rock. You can reach the Mausoleum by the road from Cetinje or Kotor by serpentines road. At the end of the road there is 461 steps leading to the monument. You can approach the mausoleum by road or by hiking paths. On 20th kilometer from Cetinje (via Ivanova Korita) you’ll reach the parking place. From here a 125 meter long tunnel with 461 steps (60 meters up) is digged through the massif of Jezerski vrh to its summit, where you’ll see the platform in front of Mausoleum. The Mausoleum is 37 meter long, 15,4 meter wide and 11 meter high. Behind the mausoleum you can reach a nice plateau which is wonderful viewpoint to the Boka Kotorska bay and surroundings.
Accomodation in the Lovćen range
According to the laws that apply to national parks in Montenegro to preserve the natural resources and cultural heritage of the parks, no new projects may be started. An exception to this is only for existing foundations on which a new project may be realized. For the Lovćen national park, this means that only two private hotels are located in the park, next to the state hotel which is not used for commercial purposes. The nearest city is Cetinje where several hotels are located. Kotor is also a possibility but is at a greater distance and also involves a much longer travel time.
Hotels in the park
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- Hotel Monte Rosa – Located in the heart of the park in the Ivanova korita part. The 4-star hotel offers views of the Njegos mausoleum and the surrounding mountains. The Njegos mausoleum is a 10-minute drive away. The area around the hotel is very quiet. Several walking routes through the park are available here. Cetinje the former capital is 15 km away.
- Facilities : Restaurant / Café, Swimming pool, Hotel bar, Parking, Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Included, Car-Quad and Bicycle Rental, Luggage Storage, Airport Shuttle (surcharge), Terrace, Garden, Express Check-In / Check-Out, Ski Equipment Hire (on site), Fitness Center, Ironing Service (surcharge) ), Laundry (surcharge), Ski Storage, Bar, Mini Bar, Breakfast in the Room, Wake Up Service.
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- Hotel Ivanov Konak – Hotel Ivanov Konak is located in the Lovćen National Park, at 1,250 meters above sea level. It offers rooms with satellite TV, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi and parking. There is a ski slope in front of the hotel. All rooms feature a minibar, hardwood floors and a private bathroom with a shower. Guests can also relax on the terrace with barbecue facilities, in the bar or in the restaurant serving local specialties. The hotel has basketball and handball courts, tennis courts and a football pitch. There are many hiking and cycling trails around the hotel. Excursions around and in the Lovćen national park can also be arranged.
- Facilities : Free Wifi, Free parking, Picnic area, Terrace, Garden, Ski equipment hire (on site), Restaurant (à la carte), Bar, Mini-bar, Breakfast in the room, On-site coffee house, Bikes available (free), Tennis equipment (surcharge) Entertainment staff, 24-hour front desk, Tennis court (nearby), Ironing service (surcharge), Laundry (surcharge), Ski equipment hire (on site), Airport shuttle (surcharge).
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Hiking in the Lovćen Park
The Lovćen park contains marked hiking trials covering the whole park. All starting in Ivanova Korita the center of the park. The red and white dots will lead you through the nicest scenery in the park.
