THE HIGHEST MAUSOLEUM IN THE WORLD
The largest and most important monument on Lovćen, located on Jezerski vrh, at an altitude of 1657 m, one of the attractions of the Lovćen National Park.
Bearing in mind that mausoleums are a kind of tomb, Njegoš’s mausoleum also represents the grave site of one of the most important figures in Montenegrin history – Peter II Petrović Njegoš.
Who was Petar II Petrović Njegoš?
Petar II Petrović Njegoš (1813-1851) was a Montenegrin bishop and metropolitan, however, in addition to his secular and ecclesiastical role, he was remembered as one of the greatest poets and philosophers in the field of Montenegrin literature.
His convincingly most famous work is Gorski Venac – an epic poem that is considered a masterpiece of Slavic literature, while it was originally known as a folk epic in the former Yugoslavia.
He was a favorite political and cultural leader, whose charismatic personality never left anyone indifferent. Njegos demanded that he be buried in a small chapel that he personally built – however, fate wanted otherwise, and his body did not rest there for long.
How was the famous mausoleum on Lovćen built?
At the top of one of the rare untouched natural beauties of Europe – a mausoleum was built on Lovćen and declared the highest in the world, although this now widely known tomb had a thorny path to the hearts of critics.
When it comes to Njegoš’s mausoleum, Lovćen can be proud of it as a favorite tourist attraction on the mountain, the construction of which can be described as a consequence of certain circumstances. Namely, as we have already mentioned, Njegos wanted to be buried in the chapel that he personally built, however, the currents of the First World War interfered.
The chapel in which he was buried was severely damaged, which is why his body had to be moved to the top of the Lovćen mountain. On the centenary of his death in 1951, the Montenegrin government decided to build a mausoleum on the site of the then tomb, while the role of chief designer was given to the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.
This decision provoked an avalanche of criticism, which referred to the fact that this prestigious project was awarded to a man who had never been to Lovćen.
Njegoš’s mausoleum – the biggest attraction in Lovćen
The Lovcen Mausoleum as a location is amazing for many reasons. Apart from being one of the highest and most famous mountains in Montenegro, which, among other things, belongs to the national park – Njegoš’s mausoleum located at the very top of this mountain, the view of it made it even more dramatic.
Lovćen National Park together with Njegoš’s mausoleum are the most popular attractions in this part of Montenegro, which can be reached by car or on foot – as you prefer. If your choice is a car, the best option is a narrow road leading from Cetinje to Lovćen, 13 km long.
Cetinje, the old capital of Montenegro, is your best starting point, because the trip itself is shorter, but in case you are accommodated in our luxury resort in Boka Kotorska, prepare for a longer adventure, and the best one.
Hiking (or mountaineering) is definitely waiting for you, at least one part of the road, in the form of a stone staircase consisting of 461 steps, which leads from the plateau to Njegoš’s mausoleum, where one part of the steps passes through an interestingly constructed and well-lit tunnel.
The construction of Njegoš’s mausoleum took 5 years, and several tons of marble were used during that process.
A narrow asphalt road leads to the mausoleum, and the entrance is preceded by a plateau with a restaurant where you can find a ticket office and a souvenir shop, and buy a ticket for the mausoleum. We suggest that you definitely go on an organized tour, because in that way you will learn the most about Peter II Petrović Njegoš and his achievements, as well as about his rule in 19th-century Montenegro.
The lobby of the mausoleum and the famous statue
Once you climb, you will find yourself in front of the entrance to the mausoleum, which is guarded by two granite statues representing 7.5 tons of heavy caryatids each, which many historians believe represent Njegos’ wife and daughter. Behind them, you will see another statue – a 28-ton massive statue of Njegos made of the best stone, decorated with the wings of an eagle, one of the proudest birds.
After passing the statues, you will find yourself in a darkened room with a tomb, and an incredible view, and whichever way you look, you will see more than half of our small but luxurious country, and maybe parts of Albania and Croatia, if the day is especially clear.
The tomb is a masterpiece in itself – it is made in the form of a marble sarcophagus, while the lid is decorated with gold mosaic details. Remains of 18-carat gold used to make the mosaic can also be seen scattered on the walls of the tomb.
If you have already decided to visit Njegoš’s mausoleum, keep in mind that next to the mausoleum you can turn right and go down a narrow stone path, which will take you to the roundabout where the most important decisions in Montenegrin history were made – the place where the old parliament sat.
Since Njegoš’s mausoleum is an important historical attraction, in addition to the magical natural environment dominated by oaks and linden forests, you will be additionally enchanted by the fresh air, and the lookouts you will encounter during the ascent to the mausoleum.
In addition to all the protests that colored the construction of this important monument, we believe that the end result is more than a nice way to mark the eternal resting place of one of the greatest national leaders, thinkers and artists in the history of our country – the charismatic Peter II Petrovic Njegos.
If you have just disembarked from a yacht that you anchored in our port, we recommend that you definitely visit Njegoš’s mausoleum, whether you plan to stay only for the weekend, or a little longer during the holidays or summer vacations – you will certainly not regret it.
