Kotor Bay's Hidden Gems, Kotor, Montenegro (B)

After visiting Budva, one of Montenegro’s most popular cities, we continued to travel to Kotor Bay. We made our way to Lovcen National Park, to Njegos Mausoleum, where, besides an amazing construction, we found some amazing views over Kotor Bay.

The National Park is located on the rocky side of the Dinara Alps and it takes its name from Mount Lovcen. The mountain rises quite steeply from the edge of the Adriatic Basin, closing the bays of Boka Kotorska. Mount Lovcen is a symbol of Montenegro, and it’s considered sacred ground. The anthem of Montenegro says Lovcen is our Holy Altar. As you cross the Lovcen National Park, you will discover stunning sights over the surrounding mountains, but also over Kotor Bay.

In the Lovcen National Park, you can visit the tomb of the poet, philosopher, prince-bishop and statesman Petar II Petrovic Njegoš. Born in Njeguši, a village at the base of Mount Lovcen, he was the one who turned it into a symbol of national identity. After his death, Njegoš was buried in a mausoleum on the top of Mount Lovcen. Njegos Mausoleum is the highest in Europe. After climbing the 461 stairs which take the guests from the parking lot to the Mausoleum and the summit of Mount Lovcen, one finds themselves at 1,749 m above sea level. A path at the rear side of the building leads to a vantage point over Kotor Bay. It is said that the view from here made George Bernard Shaw exclaim in amazement: Am I in paradise or on the moon?! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).