Montenegro is one of the smaller countries in Europe and after Kosovo it is even the smallest country in the Balkans. Nevertheless, this country is rapidly gaining popularity as a holiday destination.
But what do you actually know about this mountainous country? Test your knowledge below with these fun and interesting facts about Montenegro that many people don’t know.
1. Montenegro Means Black Mountain
Crna Gora is the Slavic name for Montenegro and means “Black Mountain”, which is believed to be a reference to the dark forest that once covered Mount Lovćen and other parts of the Dinaric Alps.
When the Venetians ruled the area during the Middle Ages, they translated Crna Gora into their own Venetian Italian language as Monte Negro. Due to their long-lasting influence, the name was spread across Europe as such and so the country became known as Montenegro.
2. Montenegro Became Independent In 2006
After the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, the unrest in Eastern Europe also reached Yugoslavia, which started to fall apart in the 1990s. In 1991, Slovenia became the first former Yugoslavian country to declare itself independent, and in the following years Croatia, (North) Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina followed suit.
What was left of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were the territories of Serbia and Montenegro and in 2003 the country was renamed the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
The constitution of the newly formed country included a clause allowing for a referendum about Montenegro’s independence to be held after three years. When the referendum was held in 2006, the majority (55.5%) voted for independence, and Montenegro officially became an independent state on June 3rd, 2006.
3. It Doesn’t Have Its Own Currency
When Montenegro became independent in 2006, there was a need for a new currency to replace the Yugoslavian dinar. However, due to a history of political and economic instability and hyperinflation, more stable foreign currencies were often preferred as a form of payment.
Especially the German mark had already been widely circulating as an alternative to the Yugoslavian dinar, and when Germany adopted the euro in 2002, the Montenegrins swiftly followed suit.
Because the small country aspired to join the European Union sooner or later anyway, it was decided to make the euro the official currency. Another reason is that it creates monetary stability and reduces currency risks and transaction costs, which are major factors for this small country that is highly dependent on foreign trade.
So officially, Montenegro is not a member of the eurozone and is therefore not allowed to issue euros itself. So unlike the official eurozone countries, Montenegro doesn’t have its own designs on the reverse side of the euro coins.
4. It Has Europe’s Southernmost Fjord
The breathtaking Bay of Kotor, surrounded by the picturesque towns of Kotor, Tivat, Herceg Novi, and Perast, is a river valley of the former Bokelj River.
Although it might not officially meet all the criteria of a fjord, the bay is often called the southernmost fjord in Europe.
5. It Has Europe’s Deepest Canyon
The impressive Tara Canyon in the northeast of Montenegro is 78 kilometres long and 1,300 metres deep, making it both the largest and deepest canyon in Europe.
6. Lake Skadar Is The Largest Lake In The Balkans
Lake Skadar is located on the border of Montenegro and Albania and has a surface area of no less than 368 square kilometers. This makes it the largest lake in the Balkans.
When there is a lot of rainfall, the lake sometimes ‘grows’ to 530 square kilometers. Another fun fact is that the lake is named after the nearby Albanian city of Shkodër (Skadar in Montenegrin), but the Montenegrin part of the lake is larger and more famous as a tourist destination.
7. Bar Has Europe’s Oldest Olive Tree
The city of Bar is famous for its olive oil, and over 10,000 of its olive trees are said to be over 1,000 years old. One of these olive trees has a crown with a width of 10 meters and is called Stara Maslina (Old Olive Tree).
According to the residents of Bar, this tree is over 2,000 years old, and it is said to be the oldest olive tree in Europe. It is therefore a major tourist attraction in the city.
8. The Ostrog Monastery Is The Most Visited Pilgrimage Site
Its location has definitely not been chosen for its accessibility, but still, the Ostrog Monastery is the most visited pilgrimage site in Montenegro.
The monastery is located at a high altitude at the face of a cliff. The location of this 17th-century monastery is of course beautiful and offers stunning views.
9. Over 60% Of The Country Is Above 1,000 Meters
What sets Montenegro apart from many other coastal holiday destinations is its combination of beautiful beaches with a backdrop of impressive mountain ranges.
Although the coastal area is by far the most popular region, the mountains you see there are only the facade of what lies behind in the countryside. In fact, Montenegro is so mountainous that even over 60% of the entire country is above 1,000 meters.
10. Bobotov Peak Is The Highest Point
The Bobotov Peak, which is located at an altitude of 2,523 meters, is the highest point in Montenegro. The peak is located in the Durmitor Mountains in the northeast of the country.
11. The Mausoleum of Njegoš Is The Highest In The World
The Mausoleum of Njegoš is the grave of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, a Prince-Bishop, poet, and philosopher. It is located on the highest peak of Mount Lovćen, at an impressive altitude of 1,657 meters, making it the highest mausoleum in the world.
12. It Was The First Ecological State In The World
In 1991, Montenegro became the first country in the world to officially declare itself an “Ecological State” in a bid to put nature protection high on its agenda.
A year later, the term was even included in the country’s constitution, which called the country an “economic, social, and ecological state.” However, critics say little of this promise has been fulfilled in the past 30 years.
13. The Majority Of Montenigrins Are Orthodox
The vast majority, some 72% of Montenegro’s population, is Eastern Orthodox, followed by Muslims (19%). Only a small group of some 3% is Catholic, and less than 1% is Protestant.
14. Montenegrins Are Tall
The Dutch are famous for being tall, but did you know that the Montenegrins follow closely in their footsteps? After the Netherlands, Montenegro is the country with the second-tallest average length in Europe.
15. Velika Plaža Is The Longest Beach On The Adriatic Coast
Velika Plaža, which means ‘Long Beach’, is a large sandy beach in the south of Montenegro, between Uncinj and the Bojana River near the Albanian border.
With a length of 13 kilometers, Velika Plaža is the longest beach on the entire Adriatic coast. Due to its consistent winds and ample space, the beach is a popular spot for kitesurfing and other watersports.
16. It Is Nicknamed The Monaco Of The Balkans
Montenegro is often referred to as the Monaco of the Balkans due to its luxurious marinas like Porto Montenegro, Portonovi, and Luštica Bay.
With state-of-the-art marinas, luxury hotels, and other facilities, Montenegro is attracting wealthy individuals and promoting upscale tourism.