Monastery of Piva

Exciting visit to the sights of Montenegro by car continues...
There are more than one and a half thousand monasteries in Montenegro.
Today we go to the remote part of Montenegro from the coast. In the north of the country, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a beautiful man-made lake and one of the country's main temples - Piva Lake and Piva Monastery.
These attractions are also located in the vast territory of the natural reserve - Durmitor National Park.
Heading from Budva to the vicinity of Durmitor, you can stop for rest in Zabljak and then continue your journey. After settling in Jasenovo Polje, directly in front of Zabljak, we choose one of two directions: to Šavnik via Miloševići or via Plužine.
Before the town of Pluzine, following the sign, we turn to the Piva Monastery.

Driving along the canyon of the Piva River and overcoming the highest mountain pass Saddle of Durmitor Park, we will see the turquoise waters of Lake Piva. Already very close to the Piva Monastery!
Historical note: originally erected during the reign of the Ottoman Empire in the second half of the 16th century, in our time due to the rising water level after the construction of the Mratine power station on the Piva River in 1975, the entire monastery complex was moved, and this is a unique case for Montenegro. Now the monastery rises on the shores of the artificial Piva Lake (Pivsko jezero). The concrete arched Mratinje Dam will be visible from the road - this huge technical structure contrasts with the pristine nature surrounding the canyon, and without knowing the history of the origin of Lake Piva, the valley is overgrown with vegetation.
At the bottom of this stunning beauty of the lake, medieval Pluzine has forever remained - nowadays, small houses of the new city rise on one of the banks. You can swim in the cold invigorating water, take a boat trip or horseback ride around the lake and go fishing.

The Piva Monastery is the largest Orthodox church of the 16th century, the main church of the Piva monastery complex is the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Inside, medieval items of Orthodox worship are kept, the walls are painted with frescoes of the 17th century, restored on the model of the original ones from the time of Turkish rule. On the territory there is a natural spring with healing water, and the air around is filled with the aromas of pine needles and wildflowers!  

After visiting the monastery, we will head back through the town of Nikšić.
Or after visiting Zabljak and the village of Trsa on the way to Budva, you can enjoy the breathtaking natural panoramas at the highest road bridge in Europe - "Djurжеevića Tara" across the Tara River, and continue your journey along the canyons of the Tara and Moraca rivers to the cities of Kolasin and Virpazar.