The bridge on the River Bukovica dates
The bridge on the River Bukovica dates back to Roman times and, according to some sources, is one of the four oldest bridges in the Balkans.
This stone bridge has an arch with a span of 16 m. Close to the bridge is a figure of the god Mithras, carved into a sacrificial altar. The stone bears the inscription In visctus augustus.
There are numerous necropolises and tumuli within the national park. Many instances of the stećak tombstone – in Greek and Roman cemeteries – also stand out for their beauty.
Certainly, the most representative in this area are monasteries and churches. In the localities of Novakovići and Bare Žugića, there are a large number of stećak tombstones that bear witness to the rich historical background of this region.
The most beautiful of the churches are the Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Žabljak, along with the eponymous church in Krš, the St. Saviour Church in Mala Crna Gora, and the St. George Church in Novakovići.
The monastery complexes in the Tara Valley are the Dovolja Monastery, which is more than 500 years old, and the St. Michael Monastery in Tara and the Dobrilovina Monastery, which was one of the most important cultural centers of this area in the past.
In addition to these religious buildings, there are the ruins of cities and fortifications, but also the mountain settlements (katun) that are part of the ethnological heritage and come alive in summer.
Close to Pljevlja, at the site of Preslica, an inscription dedicated to the oriental deity Mithras, whose cult was respected throughout the Roman Empire in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, was carved into a naturally cut rock in the field of a pagan altar.
Bare Žugića Tombstones
The necropolis is located on the Jezerska Plateau next to Žabljak, in the immediate vicinity of the neighboring Greek cemetery. It is situated right next to the local asphalt road.
The distance of this locality from Žabljak is 14 km, and it is part of the road Žabljak-Bare Žugića-Njegovuđa-Žabljak. Like the Greek cemetery, this site is also easily accessible by car and bicycle.
The rolling landscape of the plateau is an excellent setting for families with children. The view from here includes a large part of the Durmitor mountain range.
The necropolis is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Novakovići Tombstones
The Greek necropolis is located around ten kilometers southeast of Žabljak in the contact zone of the Durmitor National Park.
It is situated about 200 m northwest of Riblje Lake in the village of Novakovići. Positioned on a slight elevation in the immediate vicinity of Riblje Lake, it offers a view of the Durmitor massif (Šljeme).
The stećak tombstones lie on a slightly elevated area of about 500 m² where 49 tombstones oriented east-west have been recorded, including: 10 slabs, 27 coffins, and 12 roof tombstones.
Decorations can be observed on 22 tombstones, with motifs such as simple stylized crosses, shields, a man with a sword and shield, and hunting scenes, though without any inscriptions.
The site is considered to belong to the Middle Ages and an ancient way of communication.
Dobrilovina Monastery
The present church was built in 1609, which is also the year when the monastery was founded.
Dobrilovina represented the gathering center of the population of Potarje and Zatarje.
Despite its inaccessibility, at the end of the 17th century the Turks destroyed the monastery, which was then torn down and rebuilt several times in the following centuries, the last time in 1877.
Because of its graceful architecture, reminiscent of Prince Stefan’s Cathedral (Morača Monastery), this monastery is also called the Little Morača.
The first school in this area of the Tara River was opened here in 1870. Soon after, however, the students were expelled, so they held classes in a nearby cave, which today is a favorite tourist attraction known as Đuro’s Cave.
This monastery, like all other monasteries in the area, had its own milk supply system: a specially made wooden channel through which fresh milk was transported from the pastures of Mount Sinjajevina.
The monastery is recognizable by its wooden bell tower, which is covered with shingles, authentic hand-hewn wooden slats.
Podmalinsko Monastery
The monastery was built on the right bank of the River Bukovica, in the village of Malinsko, after which it was named. According to tradition, it is a Nemanjić monastery built by King Uroš around 1252. It is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.
In 1870, the first school in the Drobnjak region was established in the former monastic quarters, with Abbot Mihailo Ranković as the first teacher.
A number of times, the monastery had fallen into neglect only to be subsequently restored. Monk Janjušević restored it in 1908.
During the Second World War, it fell into neglect once again, only to undergo its final restoration and significant renewal in 2002, marking its 750th anniversary.
St. Michael’s Monastery
In the village of Luke, in Đurđevića Tara, approximately a kilometre downstream from the grand bridge, stands the 14th century Monastery of Saint Michael the Archangel.
Once housing a scriptorium, this monastery was a source of liturgical books for many other Orthodox religious centres.
Here is also the 15th century Dovolja Monastery, with the Church of the Assumption of Mary. Both monasteries have been restored, offering visitors to Durmitor and the Tara Canyon intriguing spiritual experiences.
Dovolja Monastery
The monastery is first mentioned in the early 16th century.
It was once an important religious centre in Potarje, where its discreet location provided a haven for treasures from other religious centres facing threats from the Turks.
The monastery has undergone destruction and restoration on multiple occasions. In 2005, reconstruction efforts were completed on the collapsed church, and a new wooden bell tower was erected.
Pirlitor
Eight kilometres east of Žabljak, on the edge of the Jezerska Plateau on Mount Durmitor, perched on an elevation high above the River Tara, lie the remnants of the medieval town of Pirlitor.
While historical sources make no mention of Pirlitor, it is believed to date back to the 14th century and to have been constructed by Sandalj Hranić Kosača, a Bosnian duke who held significant power in the Bosnian state until 1419. This town served as a crucial link between medieval Dubrovnik and the inland of the Balkans.
From Pirlitor, where there was a small fortress – undoubtedly guarding the route – a steep descent led into the deep Tara Canyon, below the village of Lever. Pirlitor is better known for the epic hero Duke Momčilo, who met his demise due to his wife’s betrayal. He is mentioned in the epic poem “Ženidba kralja Vukašina” (The Marriage of King Vukašin).
The story of the duke living in the town of Pirlitor is one of the most popular legends in this region. According to the legend, Momčilo had a winged horse named Jabučilo, which is today a symbol of Žabljak.
Varezina Voda Well
The first settlement in Žabljak was formed around the Varezina Voda well. Until the construction of the first water supply system, the well was one of the few sources of life. Its name originated from the wellspring, as the water resembled boiling milk (variti – to cook).
The initial name of Žabljak was actually “Varezina Voda”. Later, it became known as “Hanovi” or originally “Anovi”. The present-day name of Žabljak was officially adopted in 1871. A replica of the well is now situated in the central part of the town, in close proximity to the market.
Architecture
For a visitor, especially one coming from afar, the rural house – savardak, the watermill, and the summer pasture settlement – katun, will be strangely captivating. The distinctive architecture, where stone and wood predominate, along with the very form of the structures, is unique to this region.
Bonus video:
