Rožaje
“The sea of woods”, was noted by an excited author surprised by the vast areas of the Rozaje’s conifers.
Hajla, Zljeb, Mokra gora, Krstac and Turjak are the mountains that surround Rozaje, located in the valley divided by the river Ibar. This is the most wooded part of the Balkans in far northeast part of Montenegro. The little town, situated at approximately 1,000 meters heighth above sea level, was erected on the place where roads leading from the Lim to Ibar valley intersected and from there these roads were led towards Kosovo on the east and towards Serbia on the north, towards the Zeta and the Scadar valley and towards the warm Adriatic sea on the south. That is why Rozaje has always been the place for rest for numerous trade caravans and different historical migrations.
Attractions
Tower of the Ganić Family
Ganića kula is one of the oldest buildings in Rožaje. It was built in early 19th century and until 1970s it was a housing facility. Today, it is a symbol of the old town. It is built at the spring of the river Ibar. It is a three-storey building, built of a finely cut stone, with wooden third floor and the roof and with embellished window wooden bars which reminds us of old times and the story of the Ganić family.
Museum of Local History in Rožaje
The museum is located in the Ganić tower, which was built in 1798. Beside its function as a residential buidling, the tower used to serve for defence.
Within the museum there is an ethnographic, a historic and a coin collection as well as a comprehensive archive. The permanent exhibition of the museum is in preparation.
Hajla
The mount Hajla will enchant you with its beauty and in winter time it the attraction for all winter sports. There are two ski 300 metres long slopes 8 km away from Rožaje with elevation difference of 80 and 110 metres. There are two ski-lifts. The mountain is also suitable for turno skiing.
Hajla is part of the north-east mountain range of Prokletije and stretches along the border of Serbia (Kosovo and Metohija) and Montenegro, or more precisely it stretches between the source of the river Ibar and Rugovska klisura in Kosovo. Massif of the mount Hajla makes a southern border of the Rožajska valley through which the river Ibar runs.
Relief is characterized by numerous peaks at more than 2,000 metres above sea, canyons and gorges of mountain rivers, numerous and picturesque coniferous trees and mountain pastures. The highest peak of Hajla, 2,403 metres above sea level, lies on the bare rocky cliff. The peak Ahmica 2,271 metres above sea level, arises as the highest and most beautiful. If you decide to stay on the mount Hajla, you can find shelter in the mountaineers mountain lodge.
Ibar
The river Ibar springs on the northern slopes of the mount Hajla, 10 km from the town of Rožaje. From Rožaje its clear, transparent and cold water (6-7°C) carves the canyon over 200 metres deep. The canyon is simply breathtaking.
You can find brown trout in the upper course of the river and in its lower course chub, nose carp and rudd can be found.
Spring of the river Ibar, a very romantic place, is located on the slopes of Drmandola (peak 2,119 metres above sea level), and it can be reached by the forest macadam road (12 km), which splits from the motorway Berane-Rožaje on the right just before entering the town of Rožaje.
Recommended tours
The following bicycle trails go through or next to Rožaje: