MAUSOLEUM OF PETAR II PETROVIĆ NJEGOŠ

This is one of Montenegro's most important historical monuments in terms of national symbolism: it houses the mausoleum of the father of the nation, Petar II. From Cetinje, take a road in good condition. From Kotor, the mausoleum is reached via 32-loop mountain roads with dazzling views over the bay. The monument stands at an altitude of 1,657m. This means we're on top of a mountain that, unlike the Dinaric Alps inland, is close to the coast.

The mausoleum. In a rough Soviet-style concrete complex is buried the national hero Petar II (1813-1851), successor to Petar ^I (1748-1830), Metropolitan of Cetinje, attached to the Serbian Orthodox Church of Montenegro. Of the Petrović dynasty, Petar ^I was the most spiritual leader. He appointed his first nephew as his successor. The latter was studying in Russia at the time and did not wish to become a bishop. So it was the second nephew, Rade Tomislav (1813-1851), who took up the torch. He became the new metropolitan(vladika) of Cetinje in 1830 and took the name Petar II Petrović-Njegoš (Петар II Петровић-Његош). Many academics and other specialists consider Petar II to be the dynasty's most impressive and charismatic Montenegrin ruler. Not only did he lay the foundations for the new Montenegrin state, he was also a poet. However, this metropolitan was also greatly feared by the people and other rulers. Members of the Senate who disagreed with him were mysteriously murdered. By the end of his reign, there were some 70 professional killers at his beck and call! A veritable death squad.

The natural site. The view from the summit of Mount Lovćen is breathtaking. Its proximity to the coast means you can see the sea on the horizon, limestone hills planted with garrigue and delightful Mediterranean vegetation. From the lookout, you can see the road winding down to the bar on the coast, as well as the town of Cetinje to the north, with the snow-covered Dinaric Alps in the background. Further on, Lake Skadar stretches between the hills. The Albanian town of Shkodër on the opposite shore is even visible on a clear day. A little to the left, you can see the Albanian mountains that make up the Valbona valley, a legendary mountain recounted by the Albanian writer Ismaïl Kadaré.