A relaxing holiday in Montenegro, what to see inside the Lovcen National Park which has over 85 different species of butterflies, reptiles and several species of large animals.
Il Lovcen National Park, is located in Montenegro near the Bocche di Cattaro between the towns of Kotor, Budva and Cetigne. Its peculiarity is the fact of being close to the sea, it extends over a mountainous area of 62,20 km², this allows you to have a truly spectacular view of the surrounding areas.
The slopes of the mountains are rocky with deep depressions and crevices forming a amazing landscape. Its position between the sea and the hinterland allows for a climate influenced by both. This specific condition has created the development of several plant species, including some endemic. This region is also home to approx 85 different species of butterflies, reptiles and various species of large animals including brown bears and wolves and a large number of birds.
This park is much loved by Montenegrins both for its history and because it is a great place to escape the hot summer days and allows you to have a picnic in a pine forest. In fact the temperature is about 10 ° lower than on the coast. In addition, you can do many sports or simply spend a relaxing day.
Inside the park there are countless sentieri well signposted that can be covered on foot or by bike. It is also possible to obtain a map of the park at the tourist office located in the main resort, Ivanova, where there are some hotels and also a ski lift with a ski slope for the winter period. Access to the park costs 2 € per person.
The national park has two important peaks, Štirovnik (1.749m) and Jezerski Vrh (1.657m).
On the summit of the Jezerski Vrh, or Mount Lovcen, is the Mausoleum of Petar Petrović Njegoš, an important person in the history of Montenegro. He was buried as per his last wishes on the second highest mountain of the Lovcen massif.
Njegoš wanted to be buried in a small chapel, but this was destroyed in World War I and the Yugoslav dictatorship decided to create an imposing and massive Mausoleum, complete with a vault decorated with a golden mosaic and a statue of 28 tons of carved black granite. in one piece by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The mausoleum can be reached with your own vehicle or with the organized excursion buses, after parking you have to climb 461 steps to get to the top of the mountain and see the mausoleum.
The Jezerski Vrh peak, is the highest in the massif and the closest to the sea, it can be reached by car along a dirt road of about 5 km. Alternatively, it can be reached on foot.
From the summit you can admire a 360 degree breathtaking landscape. The splendid cove of the Bay of Kotor stands out, the entire extension of the Lovcen park and it is said that on clear days you can also see Italy.
Starting from Kotor you can take the road of 50 hairpin bends or P1, a very winding road that leads directly to the park, the path is very beautiful and as you go up you have an incredible view of Kotor and the bay. Finally, the Lovcen national park is a little corner of paradise, where you can take a break and enjoy nature.
