Berane

Berane is one of the largest cities in the north-eastern part of Montenegro, its population is up to 12,000 people. The city is on both banks of the Lim River in the Sanjak region, famous for its rich history. Today Berane is a modern European city with cozy shops, charming parks and squares, fine restaurants and cafes where you can taste national Montenegrin dishes and alcoholic beverages: very famous is local vodka, which has even several varieties. The city is one of the most popular resorts in the country. The climate in the Berane region is temperate continental. In summer, the air temperature here can reach + 35 ° C, and in winter it can drop to -30 ° C. Therefore, the conditions for the development of both summer and winter tourism in this region are very favorable. The main kind of winter entertainment are classes in various winter sports in the vicinity of Berane.

Lifehack: near the city there are ski resorts, and 15 km away from it on Mount Smiljevica at an altitude of almost 1,700 m above sea level there is a winter recreational center "Lokve". It is equipped with several drag lifts. The main ski resort stretches for 5 km from the centre.

Also, thanks to the long ski season and the proximity of the sea, there is sometimes a unique situation where, for example, in April the snow lies in the mountains and the track still works, and in the coastal zone +20. And then, after being saturated with skiing in the mountains, you can find yourself in the embrace of the warm Adriatic Sea in a couple of hours.
In the Middle Ages the territory of Berane was known under the name Budimlja. It had great political and economic significance for the Serbian state of Rashka. St. Sava was one of the first Serbian bishops in 1219. The territory of the Berane district and neighboring territories were part of the medieval Serb state until 1455, when the Turks took the cities of Bihor and Budimlja. This area was inhabited by Serbs until the middle of the XVII century, when hard times came and many left it. The Turks had an Islamizing effect on the population. The first Serbian uprising in 1804, led by Karadjordjevic, took place in Novi Pazar, Sanjak. Residents of these cities also rebelled and assumed the reign of princes Anto Bogicevic and Hadzhi-Prodan Gligorievich. Since the time of the first Serbian uprising and until the attainment of complete independence, constant fighting with the Turks took place during the second half of the XIX century. Famous battles took place from 1825 to 1862, but the most important was the Battle of Rudes, held on 7 April, 1862, in which the Serbian and Montenegrin insurgents won. Berane was finally released from the Turks in 1912. During the Second World War, there was a brutal civil war between the partisans (communists) and the Chetniks (nationalists). As a result of the communist repressions of 1944-45 more than 4000 people died. From 1949 to 1992, Berane was known as Ivangrad, named after Ivan Malutinovic. In 1992, its former name name was returned to it. In addition to the snow-covered slopes, Berane is famous for its valuable historical sites. To learn more about the history of Montenegro and Berane, in particular, it is possible in the Polymsk Archaeological Museum, located in the center of Berane near the city park. More than 9000 exhibits, divided into archaeological, ethnographic, numismatic, heraldic, natural-science and art collections, tell about the history of the region, beginning with the Mesolithic era. The building of the museum was made in the early XX century, it was intended for a sobriety society, founded by the King of Yugoslavia Alexander I Karageorgievich. The sobriety house was the center of Berane cultural life, various events, concerts, masquerades and first theater performances were held here. During the Second World War, members of the liberation movement gathered in the building. And in 1955 the Polimsky Museum was opened here.
The archaeological collection of the museum is the most extensive, it starts with the exhibits of the Neolithic, Copper and Bronze Ages, found during excavations. These are tools, jewelry, ceramics, figurines and other objects of everyday life. The most interesting items are made of deer horns and drilled wolf fangs. Then there are the exhibits of the Illyrian period - jewelry from amber and dishes of the VI century BC, as well as Roman tombstones.
The medieval period is richly represented by military armor, for example, an armored shirt with a hood of the XIV century, which was used by soldiers of the times of the Crusades. A significant part of the medieval archaeological collections was found in the fortresses, churches and monasteries of the nearest district, so there are many church utensils, fragments of frescoes, stone furniture and architectural decor.

There is a house of the Governor Gavro Vukovic in Beran (the museum is located in the center of Berane, south to the city park); Monument of Freedom on Mount Jasikivac (the monument is located in the eastern part of Berane, in the middle of the Jasikovac Park).
  For those who are interested in Orthodox culture, the monastery of St. George will be interesting, another name is Djurdjevi Stupovi, that is, the "St. George's Towers".

The monastery is located next to the town of Berane on the Rastovo plateau on the left bank of the Lim River, two kilometers from the city. The architectural ensemble was built in the XIII century. Throughout its history, the monastery of St. George played a crucial role in the birth and preservation of the national identity of the Montenegrin and Serbian peoples, the spread of culture in this region. The monastery courageously opposed the Turkish conquest, until the middle of the XVII century in the region there was no Islamization of the local population. But the selfless struggle could not do without victims, Ottoman troops burned the monastery several times - in 1738, in 1825, in 1862 and in 1875, and in 1912 the monastery was damaged by Austrian troops in the First World War. For this Djurdjevi Stupovi was even nicknamed the "martyr monastery". After the destruction of the early XX century monastery almost completely ceased to exist. The total reconstruction of the whole Djurdjevi Stupovi monastery complex began in the spring of 2001.

For curious tourists, the Sudikova Monastery may be of interest. The monastery is located near the town of Berane on the right bank of the Lim River at the beginning of the Tifrany gorge. Archaeological research allows you to determine the age of the monastery - XIII-XIV centuries. Apparently, the monastery became a refuge of the Budimlja diocese, when its ministers were forced to flee from other lands from Turkish oppression. Throughout the Tifrany gorge, several caves have been preserved, which were used by clergymen as monasteries and hiding places, where they hid books, icons and other church values. It is believed that its name Sudikova the monastery received because of the judicial function, which it performed until its destruction in 1738, because in its walls the hearings were conducted and judges sat.

The cultural and educational role of the monastery was especially evident in the form of the "Shudikovsky chair", which existed here for several centuries, special courses where literature, the art of census books, fresco painting, artistic skills and medicine were studied. In 1738 the monastery was burnt by the Turks and looted. This happened as a punishment for the fact that the locals supported Austria in the war against Turkey. Since then the monastery of Sudikova ceased to exist. The first excavations on the site of the monastery were made in 1923, the remains of the monastery church of the Ascension of the Blessed Virgin Mary were found. But then for a long time the work was suspended. Studies were resumed only in 1989, when the nave and the porch of the temple, remains of the stone floor were found. Restoration of the Sudikova Monastery began in 1998, in 2009 the monastery was re-consecrated, and today it is the nunnery of the Budimljansko-Niksic Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

For those who want to extend the excursion and entertainment program, they can also visit the ancient settlements of Bihor and Torino, where archeological excavations are conducted; The monastery of Kaludra (the monastery is in the municipality of Berane near the village of Kaludra on the bank of the river of the same name); The monastery of Urosevica (the monastery is located in the municipality of Berane near the village of Zaostro on the banks of the Lim River); The Biogradska Gora National Park (the national park is located in the municipalities of Kolasin, Mojkovac and Berane in the center of the Bjelasica mountain range between the canyons of the Tara and Lim rivers); Lake Peshica (the lake is located in the west of the Berane municipality in the territory of the Biograd Mountain National Park near the top of the Črna Glava).

One of the interesting events in the life of Berane is the annual festival, which is eloquently called "Hot winter in the mountains". Participants can be not only professional athletes, but also prominent cultural figures. In the beautiful streets of the city there are many cafes and restaurants. And half a kilometer from the city center, across the road from the Il Sole hotel is the Etna restaurant. By name, you can unmistakably determine that its kitchen follows the Italian culinary traditions. Indeed, the menu has a lot of pastas, dozens of varieties of delicious pizza, but there is no shortage of traditionally Montenegrin dishes. A full list of bars and restaurants you can see by clicking on the link.
  With other cities of Montenegro, as well as with nearby Serbia, Berane is connected by a modern two-lane highway. The city of Bijelo Polje is about 35 km, to the capital of the state - Podgorica - about 50 km. To the sea from Berane it is necessary to go almost 100 km. Buses of various auto companies are constantly running around Montenegro. Their schedule, route, prices for tickets, travel time you can see by clicking on the link.

At airports (Tivat or Podgorica), as in any other city of Montenegro, you can order a taxi. However, before ordering a taxi, we recommend to see the approximate price of the trip or a fixed transfer price (depending on the city of departure and destination) on our website or in our free app "Way to Montenegro" on the Apple Store or Google Play.

The most comfortable, but not the most budgetary way of movement is renting a car. A rental company will be able to deliver your rented car immediately to the airport (Tivat or Podgorica) at your arrival or to your place of residence in Montenegro. The advantages of this method are obvious - you choose the route, the departure time, the cities to visit and the time of sightseeing and historical places during the trip. The car can be rented by clicking on the link. In Berane there is an opportunity to book hotels both in the city and in the suburbs closer to the ski slopes. Hotel Luka's enjoys a quiet location 500 meters from the center of Berane. It offers a restaurant, a café-bar, free Wi-Fi and free parking. The distance to the Lokve ski center is 10 km. Etno Selo Vrelo is located 19 km from the city center and offers an outdoor swimming pool. A full list of hotels you can see by clicking on the link.

The city will be interesting for travelers, both in summer and winter season. The abundance of attractions and picturesque nature, the possibility of active recreation make this region attractive in any season.
 

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