The Tzar’s Mosque

In the centre of Plav, on the elevated plateau of the former “Town”, surrounded by walls, there is the Tzar’s Mosque, built in 1471. Sultan Abdul Hamid funded its construction.

Because of its original architecture, wood-engraving and arabesques, stone and wooden architecture, galleries, soferluk (the entrance part) and slender minaret, it is a protected monument of culture.

 Redžepagić Tower

The Redžepagić Tower is the oldest and most interesting housing-defence facility in the city of Plav. It was built in 1671 by Hasan-beg Redžepagić. The tower has three floors connected by wooden indoor stairs. Two floors are made of stone and the third one of wood. On each side of the building, on the second floor, there are covered wooden balconies.

Plavsko Lake

Plavsko Lake lies in peace surrounded by green meadows and low bushes, at the foothills of the mountains Prokletije and Visitor reflecting in the lake.

Created at the end of the Ice Age, this glacier lake is located at approximately 900 meters above sea level. It is about three kilometres long, about two kilometres wide, and its maximum depth is nine meters. Of course, during the year water level changes and in the winter time the lake is frozen. For lovers of water sports this whole is an ideal place consisting of several pieces: the affluent Ljuča, Plavsko Lake, and backwater Lim, which flows into the river Drina. You can do swimming, sailing, kayaking and rafting but also fishing - now there are the following species in the lake: huchen, trout, pike, chub, barbel and nose carp. It is also possible to hunt game birds such as coots, grebes, ducks and wild waterfowl. There is a belief that water of Plavsko Lake has some medicinal properties.

There are many legends about the origin of the lake. According to one of them, once upon a time there was a town in the valley where the lake lies now. St. Sava, who was very tired after the journey, decided to spend night in there and stayed in the house of a man called Janus. Janus was a good host but in the end decided to put a rooster into St. Sava’s bag and then accused him of theft. And St. Sava cursed Janus and said: “Be cursed and have no children and no gains, and let the water take you away!” At that moment water started running from all sides and flooded the town. And this is how the Plavsko Lake was made.

Prokletije

When you step on Prokletije the doors of an astonishing ecological treasury will immediately open in front of you. If you want to get rid or consumer mania and you have enough adventure some spirit for a close encounter - Prokletije mountains are what you have been dreaming of.

The mountain range Prokletije, unlike the Dinarides, takes another direction, and in some way they are a barrier to the coastal mountains. They rise in the direction Southwest – Northeast starting from a margin of the Skadar-Zeta plain ending up with the complex of highest massifs of Bogicevica all the way to the passes of Čakor and Rugova, about 70 km long, where the highest mountain peaks rise.

This powerful complex of high mountains continues in geological and morphological sense to the North with a series of high mountain ranges such as Nedžinat (2,341 m), Čakor (2,046 m), Mokra planina (1,932 m), Haila (2403 m) and Mokra gora (2,154 m). The highest mountain peak of the mountain range Prokletije is Zla Kolata – 2,536 m.

Ali-Pasha’s Springs

In the massif of Prokletije, among many springs the most beautiful are Ali-Pasha’s springs and Oko Skakavice (Spring of the river Skakavica).

While Oko Skakavice is a spring of ice-cold water that comes out of the great depth, Ali-Pasha’s springs bubble on the surface of over 300 square metres. They are located one kilometre south of Gusinje, at the foot of the mountain, at 925 m above sea level. Abundance of Ali-Pasha’s springs even in dry summer months amounts to 1 to 1.5 m³ per second.

In spring time, these springs deliver up to three times larger amount of water. When it comes to surface the water flows widely in the vast area for a while and then it runs to Vruja.

Skakavica Eye

This is one of the wonders of Prokletije. This is the beauty that will take your breath away.

Karst well, near the city of Gusinje, at the village Vusanje, emerges at 1,000 m above sea level. It is of circular shape and it looks like karst valley with boiling water. On the north and south sides 3-5 m high limestone cliffs tower above the well. Oko Skakavice is one of the strongest wells in the area of Prokletije. It is 30 m long and 25 metres wide. Because of the crystal clear water bottom of the well can be seen even to the greatest depths (8 m). During the hot summer months, especially in August, the well becomes very small.

Water withdraws and stands still in winter months and there is no surface spillover. Water of Oko is very cold because of the melted snow from the high parts of Prokletije and on the surface it is about 5°C and in the deeper parts 4.3°C. It is too cold to drink and before use it must be left to warm up.

Hridsko Lake

Hridsko Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Montenegro. Hridsko Lake or “The Lake of Happiness” is located in the northwest of Prokletije at nearly 2,000 m above sea level. It is believed that bathing in its clear water brings health and happiness in marriage, so visitors usually make a wish and throw a small piece of jewellery in it - for luck!   

Even though there is an asphalt/macadam road from the city of Plav, it is better not to go by car all the way because the road can be severely damaged by snow.

This is not one of those lakes that can make you feel uncomfortable. Even though it is surrounded by conifers, it is not dark because of their reflection in water. It is 300 metres long and 160 metres wide. In summer it is about five metres deep and during the year it is even deeper because of intensive rainfall and snow melting. In winter time it freezes and is covered by a thick layer of ice.

There is no fish in the lake, but in July there are many tritons - alpine newts which will freely come to your feet as soon as you step inside. In July water is warm and you can swim in the lake and enjoy silence and beauty of the open skies. This is probably why this lake is believed to bring health and happiness.

Valley of Grebaja

Alpine landscape - unbelievably beautiful glacial valley takes every visitor’s breath away.

Compared to the huge massif of Prokletije, the valley of Grebaja seems a small and at first sight insignificant area. But, the fairy-tale like landscape, contrasts and heights make it extremely attractive: in this blooming valley, full of sun, scents and gentle breeze, the visitor stands still charmed with the view, looking high in the sky. And not much sky can be seen – it is hidden by rock peaks whose slopes are flashing with plates of snow. There are not many places where verticals are perceived in this way or parts covered with snow shimmering in the summer sun with sharp peaks towering so high in the sky ... This is the right place for true explorers, for artists.

It is easy to get there, but it is hard to leave it. However, apart from the restaurant there are two mountain lodges where you can stay if you change your mind. The valley of Grebaja is a starting point for hiking and mountain climbing expeditions. This is the source of endless inspiration.

Waterfall Grlja

At the entrance to the hollowed part of the valley, the river Skakavica “disappears into the ground” and builds a 30 m high waterfall - Grlja.

Waterfall is attractive, sheltered by rocks and it is difficult to photograph it, but the view from above of the river that suddenly disappears and plunges from one tub into another and then into the depths and sounds of ice cold white water – these are the things that will take your breath away. 

Grlja is actually part of the river Skakaivca downstream from the waterfall, and after its merging with waters from Ali-Pasha’s springs it is called Vruja after which it flows towards the city of Gusinje.