Euro Travel Pages

Marvelous Montenegro

For such a small country, Montenegro packs a lot of surprises for every traveler. It is not a popular travel destination so it promises something new and off the beaten track. Located right off the coast of the Adriatic Sea, the country also shares boundaries with Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovnia, Serbia and Albania. The former seat of government is located at Cetinje but it currently has the capital at its largest city Podgorica.

Montenegro is a really young country, having gained its complete independence and being declared as a country in 2006. It was once a part of several different nations. At one point, it was one of the many areas that cover the Ottoman Empire. It was also part of Yugoslavia and more recently the state union of Serbia and Montenegro.

The name

Crna Gora is the country’s native name and was derived from a Slavic term that describes mountainous regions. The country’s English name, Montenegro, is a Venetian term which means “Black Mountain” and was adopted in the middle Ages.

The people

Because the country was once part of the territories of different nations, it has come to be inhabited by different ethnic races as well. While majority of its population is composed of native Montenegrins, it is also inhabited by Serbs, Bosniaks, Albanians and Croats. These are recognized major ethnic groups that have settled in Montenegro and have called it their home.

The dominant spoken language is Serbian Iyekavian but the official language in the country is Montenegrin as per the 2007 Constitution. Other popularly used languages include Albanian, Bosnian and Croatian. There is no recognized state religion and freedom of faith is being enforced all over the country. However, majority of its people are Orthodox Christians as a consequence of being under the Russian rule for quite some time.

Culture

Montenegro’s culture has been shaped by various influences including those of the nations that claimed it as their own. Religion was also one determinant of the traditions and practices that the people observe. The country’s culture is reflected in its architecture, art, music and traditions. In fact, it is home to some of the most interesting historic sites that feature the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods.

The first book printed in the country dates back to more than five hundred years ago and Montenegrin monasteries have still managed to keep some of the old literature from the previous centuries. Its capital city as well as the former seat of government is now considered the country’s centers of culture and the arts.

World Heritage Sites

Montenegro features two travel destinations that are also listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. These are the Culturo-Historical region of Kotor and the Durmitor National Park.

Kotor is located on the southwestern tip of the country and is known for its walled city which was built by the Serbian House of Nemanjic. The area attracts a lot of tourists mainly because of the beauty of the gulf but also for the historic city located there.