No matter how friendly the Montenegrin coast is, the hottest summer months make you want to escape from the scorching southern sun rays and hide in the cool shade of trees, enjoying the aromas of wildflowers and the enchanting birdsong. To get to a wonderful place like this, to a corner of pristine nature, you can drive along winding roads in picturesque mountain landscapes. Lovcen National Park is just a short drive away. Its observation deck with a height of 1700 meters offers a fantastic panoramic view of Northern Montenegro.

Founded in 1952, Lovcen National Park with an area of more than 60 square kilometers can be called the most visited natural attraction in the country. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists go on a journey through its expanses, stay in a picturesque place called “Ivanova Korita” famous for the purest mountain spring, and explore the ancient architectural monuments in the legendary village of the Montenegrin ruling House of Petrovic-Njegos.

For about three centuries, members of this royal family ruled fabulous Montenegro, forming a rich historical heritage for future generations. For example, the legendary Mausoleum of Njegos, the tomb of Metropolitan Peter II (Petar Petrovic-Njegos). The powerful stone mausoleum was built on the top of Mount Lovcen in the middle of the 20th century. It replaced a modest Orthodox chapel founded by Peter II. A few years before his death, the ruler wished to be buried in his chapel. However, he was initially buried in the Cetinje Monastery, as there was a possibility that his grave would be destroyed by the ruthless Turkish Pasha Skadar, who repeatedly raided the fertile Montenegrin lands. But later he was finally reburied in the chapel. Unfortunately, this monument of sacred architecture was bombed by the Austro-Hungarians and suffered the most from the Italians in 1949. As a result, the country’s authorities decided to demolish the ruins and raise a new monumental building designed by the famous architect Ivan Mestrovic.

Today, the Mausoleum of Njegos is open to the public. The entrance of this small stone structure is guarded by sculptures of two Montenegrin girls, and its roof is covered with gold leaf.