Lovcen NP & Njegos Mausoleum
Lovćen
Lovćen mountain park and the mausoleum of Petar II Njegoš on Jezerski vrh peak.
The park covers the Lovćen massif with sweeping views over Boka Bay and Lake Skadar. On Jezerski vrh stands Njegoš’s mausoleum, opened in 1974 to a design by Ivan Meštrović. A staircase of 461 steps leads to a platform with one of Montenegro’s best panoramas.
How to Get There
From Cetinje by taxi or transfer ~12 min.
From TIV airport (Tivat) by taxi/transfer ~12 min.
From TGD airport (Podgorica) by taxi/transfer ~53 min.
Description
Lovćen is a mountain massif and national park in southwest Montenegro between Cetinje and the Bay of Kotor. Its twin summits, Štirovnik (1,749 m) and Jezerski vrh (1,657 m), dominate the coast; the Njegoš Mausoleum crowns Jezerski vrh. Park area – 62.2 km².
Key features
- Two key peaks: Štirovnik 1,749 m (highest); Jezerski vrh 1,657 m with the mausoleum and viewpoint.
- Stairway to the mausoleum – 461 steps with sweeping Adriatic/Boka vistas.
- National park since 1952 – karst plateaus, pine groves, a blend of Mediterranean and continental climates.
- Iconic Kotor–Krstac–Lovćen serpentine with multiple viewpoints.
- Ivanova Korita area – easy walks, picnic lawns, black pine stands.
What to see
- Njegoš Mausoleum on Jezerski vrh and the circular panorama terrace.
- Balcony-like viewpoints along the Kotor serpentine.
- Ivanova Korita trails and picnic spots on the plateau.
History
Lovćen’s symbolic role dates back centuries; it became a national park in 1952. The spiritual focus is Jezerski vrh.
Petar II Petrović-Njegoš built a chapel here and chose it as his burial place (1845). WWI damage led to moving the remains to Cetinje; the chapel was rebuilt in the 1920s.
Between 1970–1974, the chapel was replaced by a monumental mausoleum designed by Ivan Meštrović, sparking public debate about Njegoš’s last will and the memorial’s form.
Practical information
Location: SW Montenegro; approaches from Kotor (via Krstac pass) and Cetinje (via Ivanova Korita).
Getting there: by car from Kotor on road P1 or from Cetinje on Lovćen road; by bus to Kotor/Cetinje, then taxi/tour.
Access: park entry ticket; the mausoleum requires a separate ticket. Seasonal closures possible in winter.
Visiting hours: park year-round; the mausoleum depends of the season.
Visit length: 2–4 hours for the mausoleum and viewpoints, or a full day with plateau walks.
Best time: clear days; mornings and late afternoons for softer light. Summer queues at the stairs.
Good to know: 461 steps; windy ridge; ice/snow in winter – warm layers and grippy footwear; occasional road/site closures.
