Lovcen is a national park and mountain range in central Montenegro between Kotor and Cetinje. It is known for the fact that on its territory there is the mausoleum of one of the most prominent political figures of Montenegro, Petar II Petrovic-Njegos.
It is built on top of Ezerski Peak (Ezerski Vrh) at an altitude of 1657 meters above sea level and is one of the most visited sights in Montenegro. In clear weather from this point you can see almost the entire territory of the country, as well as part of the territory of its neighbor, Albania.
Who is Peter II Petrovic-Njegos
Peter II Petrovic-Njegos was a Montenegrin statesman who ruled Montenegro from 1830 to 1851. It is believed that he made the greatest contribution to the formation of Montenegro as an independent state.
His real name was Radivoy Tomov Petrovic. He was born on November 13, 1813 in the village of Neguši (his house is preserved to this day and today is an ethnographic museum "House of Negoš"). Radivoj studied first at the monastery of Cetinje and then at the monastery of Savina. He was a nephew of Metropolitan Peter I Petrovic, whose dynasty ruled Montenegro for over two hundred years: from 1697 to 1918.
It is important to note that at that time Montenegro was a theocratic monarchy, which meant that both spiritual and secular powers belonged to one person. Clerics were supposed to be childless, so power was usually passed on from uncle to nephew rather than from father to son.
In 1830 Radivoj, in accordance with his uncle's will, took the place of the lord and took the name Peter as a monk.
Becoming prince Peter II Petrovic-Njegos carried out a number of reforms, made many efforts for the independence and autonomy of Montenegro, including the demarcation of borders with the Austria-Hungarian Empire from Budva.
He died in 1851 of tuberculosis.
History of the Mausoleum
In 1845, Petar II Petrovic-Njegos expressed his wish to be buried after his death in the chapel on Mount Lovcen, which he created with his own efforts. However, immediately after his death it was not fated to come true: fearing an attack by the Pasha of Shkoder, he was originally buried in the monastery of Cetinje next to his uncle Peter I Petrovic.
It was not until August 26, 1855 that his remains were moved to Lovcen, as he had willed, in a small chapel.
In 1916, during World War I, Austria-Hungarian troops were able to capture Lovcen. During the storming of the mountain range, the chapel came under fire and was partially destroyed. At night from 12 to 13 August Montenegrins returned the coffin of Peter II in Cetinje monastery. The Austrians planned to set a monument at the place of the chapel to their military exploits. However it did not happen because after 2 years they lost the war.
After the end of the World War I, the chapel was reconstructed according to the project of the chief architect Nikolai Petrovic, which was completed on September 10, 1925. The remains of Peter II were returned to the restored chapel.
During World War II, the chapel was damaged again, this time by Italian troops. The authorities in communist Yugoslavia decided not to rebuild the religious site, but to turn the mausoleum and burial place into their symbol.
So, in 1951, to commemorate the centenary of the death of Peter II Petrovic-Njegos, a new major construction of the mausoleum began on Mount Lovcen, the architect of which was Ivan Meštrović. At the end of the 1960s, the chapel was finally torn down, and in its place in 1974 appeared the mausoleum, which exists to this day.
Peter II Petrovic-Njegos Mausoleum Building
The modern complex includes the following facilities:
- Small lookout platform at the foot of the mausoleum;
- Stairs to the mausoleum;
- The Mausoleum;
- Lookout platform behind the mausoleum.
When you reach the entrance to the mausoleum, you will find a small panoramic platform and the beginning of the ascent to the former crypt, which consists of 461 steps.
Once you have overcome them, you will see the entrance to the mausoleum. Once inside, however, you initially enter the atrium, in the center of which there is a 4-tonne well, and you will see the entrance to the burial place of the former highly esteemed statesman, decorated on both sides with marble statues of Montenegrins, each four and a half meters high.
The crypt itself is also made of black marble, its vaults are 9 meters high. In the center of it you will find a 28-ton statue of Peter II Petrovic-Njegos himself.
After walking through the mausoleum, you will reach a stone path that leads you to a panoramic observation deck that overlooks most of the country.
How to get to Lovcen
There is no public transportation to the mausoleum in the Lovcen Park. You can reach it as part of a group/individual tour or by car.
If you travel by car, you need to pay at the foot of the mountain 3 euros per person to enter the National Park "Lovcen". In this case, children under 7 years of age are free to enter. You can also buy your admission ticket online at this link.
But you can also go up for free by leaving your car in front of the toll booth, but note that it will take you about 30-40 minutes to climb up.
After climbing the serpentine to the top and reaching the lower observation deck, you can catch your breath, have a snack and a drink at the restaurant, and then continue your ascent up the steps.
To enter the mausoleum you must pay an additional 3 euros per person (2.5 euros for children).
Mausoleum Lovcen work schedule
Monday. 9:00-19:30
Tuesday. 9:00-19:30
Wednesday. 9:00-19:30
Thursday. 9:00-19:30
Friday. 9:00-19:30
Saturday. 9:00-17:00
Sunday. 9:00-17:00
Is it worth it to go to Lovcen?
Lovcen National Park itself is quite beautiful. Here you can enjoy incredible views, pick berries, mushrooms, or simply walk (on foot or by car) through the mountainous terrain.
However, most tourists come here just to visit the observation deck near the Njegos Mausoleum. Let's not lie, the view from there is really stunning, literally the whole territory of Montenegro is right in the palm of your hand. So if you like viewing platforms, you should definitely visit this place. But keep in mind that during the high season here
