njegos mausoleum

High up in the mountains of Lovcen national park is this really special monument that is architecturally astounding. It stands in stark contrast to the surrounding rooks of the barren mountains. It is the final resting place of one of Njegos, one of Montenegro's most famous historical figures. The climb is a steep one up a seeming endless number of stairs, but once up there, the 360 views of the bay of Kotor and beyond to one side and the rest of Montenegro on the other is spectacular. You can allegedly see 80% of the entire country from up there! The entrance to the vault is guarded by two immense statues which make it feel like something out of Lord of the Rings and the ceiling is of gold. Stunning.

We have visited the National park and the Mausoleum in mid November. We rented a car, and it took us approximately 30 minutes to get to Cetinje city, and than additional 15 minutes to get to the National park Lovćen and Mausoleum (from Budva).For entering a park there is a fee of 2 euros per person, and for entering Mausoleum there is a fee of 3 euros per person.Since it was not a summer season, we were the first visitors, and had all it for yourself. Tour guide was great, and the story and interpretation really left us speechless. In addition to historical and cultural importance, the view over a nature landscape, and entire Montenegro (especially sea cost and Skadar lake) were just a "unreal".Experience was great. Will go again.

We hiked our way up to the mausoleum, which was a strenuois but rewarding activity. The views from above around are splendid, you can see for miles and miles.

The road up the hill is narrow but not too bad coming from Cetinje. Given the fact that it's a national monument, it's very strange that the parking possibilities are so poor. However, once you made the ascend and found a parking, the view is breathtaking; well worth the trouble. The surrounding national park is also beautiful and I understand those come there for a hike.

We are keen hikers and hiked our way up to the Njegos Mausoleum. the effort getting there was worth every moment. The Mausoleum was stunning and truly breath taking. Way paid 3 euros to go inside and was given a booklet in English telling us about it. We finished by heading out the back to the viewing area, although the clouds were low we still had wonderful views. There is parking but it would be limited during peak season.

The mausoleum is in the Lovcen National Park, between Budva and Kotor. The best approach is through Budva and turn left following the brown signs for Lovcen national park. (Entry fee 2 euros)There is a road from Kotor which is best to exit the park, rather than go up although it does seem shorter.However the park is lovely and locals spend time there walking, biking and with their families in their spare time.A good place to stop on the way up is the Monte Rosa Hotel, a swiss chalet style hotel about 3/4 of the way up. Excellent place to eat and drink, the bonus is that the prices of the food and drink, really reasonable/cheap.Once you reach the top, car parking is down the road leading to the 'steps' as the turning circle holds about 6 cars! Now 'the steps', 461 of them in sets of 9 with the odd place to rest and look out of arched open windows, forget health and safety! there are sheer drops, Keep you eyes on the kids! When you reach the top there is a viewing area but it is worth paying the extra 3 euros to see the mausoleum , borrow a guide book and see the final resting place of Petar II Petrovic Njegos and the story behind it. Along with this a short walk down a stone path and you have a 360 o view of Montenegro. You can see almost to the Albanian border certainly to Lake Skadar and spectacular views over terrain which is like a relief map at one side and 'lakes' on the other side.The drive down the hill towards Kotor is quite hair raising to say the least, it is down a narrow single track road which has 25 hairpin bends and is 'steep' passing or following other vehicles including coaches! either by almost clinging to the mountainside or reversing to a slightly wider part of the road, this becomes an art in itself and is not for the faint hearted or novice driver.But, the views over the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic sea are absolutely fabulous. People stop at the side of the road to take pictures and no-one seems to bother, its a way of life there.All in all one of the best trips we did in our little hire car.

Firstly how to get there. The cheapest way for someone without a car is most certainly a local bus. Price wise it is almost nothing (3 Euros from Budva) and the buses run very frequently. Take a bus to Cetinje and get off at the bus station. There will be several taxi drivers there offering trips to the top. You should expect to pay a set fare of 30 Euros which includes the drive to the top. Waiting for you (he waited over an hour while I was exploring) and the drive down again. It might seem like a lot but be aware the drive from Cetinje to the peak is 40 minutes on its own through some pretty precarious roads so we were glad of the local experience. Plus as a bonus you get a little narrative as you ascend to the loft heights of the summit. Be aware also that there is a 2 Euro cover charge per person to enter the National park and a 2 Euro per person fee to enter the Mausoleum at the top.Once at the summit you will be dropped off in a small round car park with a little restaurant and touristy gift shop selling random nick nacks and such. From here you ascend just over 400 steps through the side of the mountain to emerge at the peak with the stunning vista of all of Montenegro spread out before you. On a clear day you can see all the way into Albania and even into Croatia. The mausoleum itself is an impressive feat of architecture and seems to have been mainly hewn from granite and worthy of some reflection inside. The park itself is unspoilt beauty offering sprawling pine forests and skiing in the winter. Wildlife is abundant and the awe inspiring vistas are at every turn. The man at the desk also provides a handy little book about the area for you to peruse while you sit in the shade of the rotundas.All in all this is most certainly one of the must see spots in Montenegro. Great excuse to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist hotspots and breathe some fresh mountain air. Top stuff.Visited August 2014

Don't come home without seeing Njegos's Mausoleum. There are very few places on earth that can see in 4 different countries at the same time. First of all, you'll need to show some effort to reach. Approximately 50 km from the city centre of kotor. At least 40 km of this road, dangerous mountain road. Then you have to climb 455-460 steps. But when you arrive the last point, you will have forgotten all of this. Meanwhile there's a restaurant at the beginning of the steps. You should taste homemade vine of this restaurant.

You have to make a wish and trow a penny in the well of wishes :)Statues of girls and women holding the mausoleum on their heads is amaaaazing! They represent each girl or women in Njegos's life, mother, sister...

The mausoleum of the vladika (prince-bishop) Njegos on the top, built in communist time as a heathen temple to replace the older christian chapel is an experience in itself. But also for the view in clear weather is vorth the tip up there. The last part you must use a loooong staircase. This year, at the end of March, it was still impossible to go the last kilometres by car because of snow.

Worth the drive up here and the walk up the last section. Not clear where you are meant to park and the track is very rough in the first section. The steps (who counts them) are also a work in progress with the new access almost complete. Not busy when we visited but can see why they need a proper path when tourist numbers are high. The views from the top are outstanding - down towards Kotor, up into Montenegro and on a clear day into Albania and Croatia in the distance. But it is quite exposed and windy when we were there. Take a jacket. Nice coffee shop tucked in under the pathway with good views.

Even tiny states like Montenegro had great leaders and special people like Njegos . He himself asked to be buried there at the end of his short but impressive rule.An impressive way to remember a ruler in a striking beautiful scenery up the mountain facing an enormous monument of Nejegos.The fact that you climb 461 steps to reach the top and you get there breathless increases the impression. Ivan Mestrovic is a great Sculptor (many of his sculpture can be seen in Split - Croatia).

We were in Montenegro as a cruise stop so we can only choose to go up the hill to the Tomb of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš or go far to Budva. We chose to go up the hill and the view is breathtaking. Really worthy to get a taxi and go up the hill to admire the "black mountains".

I have visited this place several times over the years, it is beautiful and worth visiting. Views on mountains and Boka bay are great. it was said that during the clear morning you could see Italian coastline from there. Definitely worth visiting.

Getting up from Cetinje (700 m.) to Lovcen (1700 m.) takes some time on a narrow winding road at the end of which you have to climb 461 stairs to get there. But it is worth the trouble if you choose a clear day. The mausoleum itself is a strange half pagan memorial of bishop, ruler and poet Njegos (1813-51), completed 1974.