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Nikšić

Nikšić has an epic spirit which will beguile you. The second largest city of Montenegro, in which the ways of East and West meet, it represents an extraordinary mixture of tradition and modernity.

Feel the spirit of history in a pleasant stroll to King Nikola’s palace. See the oldest bridge in Montenegro, Moštanica, a legacy from the Roman times. Not far from the city, there are even older traces of human settlements. Prehistoric people left drawings and tools in Crvena Stijena (Red Rock). See for yourself on the Tsar’s bridge how the friendship between Montenegro and Russia got firmer. This bridge was built with the help of the Russian Tsar Alexander III, after whom it was named. 

Visit the church of St. Basil of Ostrog, St, Lucas’ Monastery, the church of St. Peter and Paul, and the church of St. Archangel Michael.

But Nikšić is also a city of sports. It has three rivers and three lakes, surrounded by mountains, and thus offers you the opportunity to indulge in water and winter sports. The mountain of Trebjesa is also of great interest, with its tennis courts, bicycle routs, and the lake of Krupac. The place of excursions Vučje is attractive in both winter and summer months.

Attractions

Museum of Local History in Nikšić

The museum in the adapted building of King Nikola's castle, built in 1890, shows the life and culture of Nikšić from the oldest days onwards.

Special attention of the visitors is attracted by exhibits from the archaeological locality Crvena stijena from the older Palaeolithic, and there are also chronologically conceived exhibits from antiquity, the Middle ages and modern times. Weapons and armaments that were used during the eventful history of this region are on display, as well as items of folclore handicraft and traditional jewellery. A collection of medieval tombstones in the courtyard are part of the museum's exposition.

Župa monastery

The medieval monastery in Župa, with its church dedicated to St. Lucas, was built on a plain on the left bank of the river Gračanica near Nikšić. 

In the middle of the 19th century, during the montenegrin-turkish wars, Župa was the meeting place of the insurgents, especially under prince Danilo Petrović. It was burnt and plundered several times by the Turks and completely destroyed during Omer-paša's campaign on Montenegro in 1853. At that time the treasury of the monastery was burnt. Today's St. Lucas' church, with a cross-shaped plan, made of carved stone, was erected by prince Nikola Petrović in 1881. The Župa monastery is first mentioned at the tombstone of Jovica the Builder who took part in the renovation of the monastery in 1627.

Church of St. Djordje, Trebjesa

The church is located in the south-east part of Trebjesa. It has a single-nave layout, with a semicircular apse and a belfry. 

It is built from roughly hewn stone, laid in horizontal rows. On the lateral walls there is are arrow slits, while the apse has a small arched window. The interior of the church has a semi-cylindrical sinter arch. The lateral walls have two pairs of pilasters with slanted arches in the middle, while the arch is reinforced with frames. The pedestal of the Holy Table with carved crosses is preserved. The floor is made of stone tiles. The church was painted, but today these frescoes only have documentary value. 

Tsar's Bridge

It is situated on the edge of Niksic, on the old road to Podgorica through Pandurice.

Carev Most is one of the most beautiful bridges in Montenegro. It was constructed in 1896, while some sources cite 1894 as the year of its construction. Carev Most was the biggest construction project from that period. It was built with the support of the Russian Emperor Alexander III after whom the bridge was named. The plans for the construction of the bridge over Slivlje were developed by Josip Slade, at the request of Prince Nikola. This magnificent bridge was built of quarried stone, at a length of 269 meters, and over 13 meters high in the middle. The bridge was constructed on arches supported by 18 piers.

Red Rock

This prehistoric site, near the village of Petrovići, 30 km from Nikšić, is the only monument of first-category significance in Nikšić and is under state protection. 

The cave is situated around 700 metres above sea level, facing the south. Its opening is 24 metres wide, and its height is around 25 metres and its depth is around 15 metres. 

Exploration has discovered a 20 to 30 metre-thick cultural deposit, which is the deepest in Europe after the El Castillo archaeological site in Spain. Based on the different structure, color, composition and content, 31 cultural layers have been isolated.

Remains of the Necropolis of Mediaeval Tombstones

At the entrance of the Church of the Archangel Michael, near Velimlje, there is a representative group of mediaeval tombstones (6 slabs, 2 caskets and one gabled tombstone). 

The slab-shaped tombstones have a grape vine leaf border, while the caskets have arcades and frieze pillars above them. The tall caskets are impressive in their size and beauty. On the lateral sides the caskets and gabled tombstones have arcades and pillars, a shield-and-sword motif and one has the image of a man on a horse. Mediaeval tombstones (stećci) with engraved inscriptions, are built in the existing churches. 

Bridge on the River Moštanica – Roman Bridge

It is located on the old road from Nikšića to Trebinje, via Grahovo.

It is one of the oldest Roman bridges in Montenegro. It is made of dressed stone, with proportional arches, pillars and saving openings. It is 2.3 metres high, the diameters of the arches are 5.5 metres, while the pillars are 2 metres wide. The Romans achieved a perfection of lines in these objects by applying graphostatics.

Vuk's Bridge

Another interesting bridge is Vukov Most in Kapino Polje. Begov Most (the Beg's Bridge), which was destroyed in 1807 when Montenegrins and Russians attacked the town, had stood there before. In the second half of the 19th century , the bridge was reconstructed by the King Nikola, who named it Vukov Most, after the famous Montenegrin hero Vuk Mićunović.

Arboretum Grahovo

Botanical garden of the family Kovačevič, Arboretum in Grahovo, covers the area of one hectare, and is protected by the state since 2000.

Botanical fund includes 127 species of trees, shrubs and climbers, of which 33 are indigenous and 94 are alien species, which is a special value of this natural monument. 

Grahovsko Lake

The lake was created in the area of the source of the River Grahovska, approximately 500m downstream from the source. 

The land is made of dolomite and is impermeable to water. The dam is 30m high and the width of the dam at the crest is 3m. The crest is 788.5 m above sea level. Its length in that part is 171.5m. 

The clean and clear water of this lake is used for irrigation, while filtered and purified water is used for the water supply. 

The lake is an important water reservoir for the agricultural needs of Grahovo Plain, and is also used for sports, recreation and swimming during the summer months. 

Lake Slano 

Lake Slano in Niksic covers an area of 9 square kilometers. It is situated on the western side of Nikšić Plain. It is surrounded by medium and high mountains, up to 200 metres high.

It is a unique oasis of complex karst hydrography. The water level varies depending on the season. Large amounts of water flow into the lake during heavy autumn rains, or in the spring when the water flows from the surrounding mountain slopes. It is then that the beautiful smaller or larger waterfalls can be seen, creating surreal images. It is not easy to visit this lake, as the shore is very indented, with numerous islands and peninsulas. There are no good roads around the lake, although the construction of one was slated a long time ago. This requires proper planning and it is a challenge. Slano attracts the visitor with its wild beauty, clean water, unspoilt nature, a multitude of plant and animal species. The lake represents a special experience for hunters and anglers. It is rich in fish, and numerous tourist presentations and camping are organised by the lake.

Captain’s Lake

It is situated at 1,678 metres above sea level. It is of glacial origin, 480 metres long and 330 metres wide and the maximum depth is 37 metres. 

The clear, green waters of the lake and the reflection of the limestone rocks captivate its visitors and is increasingly becoming a favourite camping site of mountaineers and fishermen. It can be reached from Nikšić through the Zagrad, Luka Bojovića, Bara Bojovića and Nikšinog Kiljana Mines. By car it takes one hour fifteen minutes. The road is paved until Luka Bojovića, from where there is a gravel track to the lake. Normal cars can reach the lake with a careful drive. The other road to the lake, from Velje Duboko is intended only for the most powerful 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Lake Krupac - the Nikšić Sea

Lake Krupac is the most beautiful excursion site in Niksic, particularly during the summer months. 

It has warm and clean lake water, shade from poplar trees, sports grounds, jet-skis, power boats, pedal-boats, kayaks, boats, water-skiing, volleyball, basketball or water-polo, fishing, etc. During the summer, there is a beach bar - "Ski Bar", which has become a very popular place for going out in the evening. There is also a restaurant called "Plaža" whose pleasant atmosphere and friendly personnel guarantee an exceptional experience. 

Recommended tours

The following bicycle trails go through or next to Nikšić: