If we had to describe the European country of Montenegro with only two words, those words are undoubtedly: "mountain” and “sea”.
But how would you really characterize Montenegro? This young European
country is also creased by deep canyons and vast valleys, crossed by
pure rivers and marked by deep and transparent lakes. Relic caves open
upon virgin forests. Ancient cities coexist with new ones. Age-worn
churches welcome cordial and hospitable people to their weathered
doors.
We search for analogies to apply to Montenegro. Outwardly, and due to
the country’s history, we are instantly reminded of Crimea, and thus
something about modern-day Montenegro also serves to remind a Russian
person about how a lost paradise can be found again.
With its rough and slightly lacerated outlines, one can not help but
remember that one regional difference that defines the Crimean
peninsula as distinct lies in the effects of natural factors and
historic cataclysms that have helped define its borders: the lowering
and rising of the sea floor, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Finally, the human factor has also influenced the delimitation of
Montenegro’s borders as they correspond to victories and defeats in
wars which were conducted by Montenegrin heroes, remembered by local
poets and undoubtedly present in the population of these ancient
Montenegrin towns throughout the country's long history.
Sebastopol and the adjoining bay serve as smaller copies of the Boka
of Kotor, which is often considered to be “Europe's Southernmost
Fjord”.
However, it is in fact a submerged river canyon which was
flooded by the sea and the Bokelj River which in time immemorial ran
from the plateaus of Mount Orjen, now lies submerged along the ocean
depths.
The Eastern and the Western Roman Empires competed for the Crimean
peninsula and then also the Ottomans sought to control the area. Final
relics of this turbulent past remain in the remnants of old
civilazations, even those of the Celts or the Greeks, which can be
traced from time immortal. Sebastopol, the capital of Crimea has now
been replaced by Podgorica, from where the railway and other
connections to the Montenegrin interior run endlessly reminding the
world that a small country exists, seemingly forgotten at times, on the
Western shore of the Balkans.
Yalta is like Budva or Herceg Novi. Herceg Novi, the most northerly
city along Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline, was easily defended from
the north due to the Orjen hills, which not even the northern winds can
penetrate.
This creates a unique microclimate which is exellent for
growing exotic plants from all corners of the world.
Budva – a city on the coast and portal to the high seas, lays opposite
to the island of Sv. Nikola, which from atop a jet ski or boat will
remind you of a floating ancient pangolin.
Around Budva, the coast is
often referred to as the Budvanska rivijera, and is the centre of
Montenegro's tourism. This Riviera is well known for its sandy
beaches, intensely rewarding cultural activities and nightlife. With
over 330,000 holiday guests in the 2007 summer season, Budva is the
most popular tourist destination in Montenegro. Jaz beach which is 2.5
km (1.6 miles) away from Budva in the direction of Tivat, is a
protected natural heritage site and world-famous for its cultural
events and concerts. Jaz recently hosted a Rolling Stones concert on
July 9th, 2007, while most recently, Madonna staged a show at the same
venue on September 25th, 2008.
An amazing 60,000 spectators watched her
show.
Aged and stoic, Feodosiya draws comparisons to Kotor or Bar’s sea port.
NOTE: Bar, which is also the capital of Montenegro’s coastal trade, it
is possibe to arrive here on the ferry which leaves the Italian coast
from the Western-Adriactic coast’s Italian city of Bari.
Along Montenegro’s coast, Primorje and Boka were both places where
various cultures and civilizations came together. Each city here has a
long history, and each city’s story is unique and unlike any other.
Kotor on the Bay of Kotor, was perhaps the capital of ancient seafarers
living along the Montenegrin coast and is the most occidental of these
coastal towns.
Between 1420 and 1797, Kotor and its surrounding area
were under the rule of the Republic of Venice. The Venetian influence
remains dominant among the architectural wonders that abound in Kotor.
Another great contributor to Montenegro’s importancs as a destination
for top seafarers, lies the city of Perast,
where in 1698 a group of 17
young men from Russia where sent by Peter the Great himself to learn
navigation skills. They studied in the nautical school of famous and
experienced seafarer Mark Martinovic. This tradition of sending
world-class sailors to Montenegro seems now to be resumed as people
from all walks of life come to sail in Montenegro.
Summer events near Kotor Bay, such as the Summer Carnival (or
Bokeljska Noć), are visited by thousands of tourists yearly. Nightlife
is another thing which attracts tourists to Kotor. The Old Town is
filled with pubs, taverns and cafes. The islands of Sveti Đorđe and
Gospa od Škrpijela lay a stone’s-throw away from Perast, and are among
the most popular destinations in Kotor vicinity.
Ultcinj was recaptured from the Ottomans by Montenegrin forces fighting
for independence nearly one hundred and thirty years ago and is perhaps
the most oriental of Kotor’s cities.
Ulticinj is most famous for its
beaches, among which Velikiy Plaz (Great Beach) is the longest at 13 km
(8 miles).
Written by: Igor Kossich
