Komovi Mountains
Komovi Mountain is one of the three most impressive and the most magnificent mountain ranges of Montenegro and also of the Dinaric Alps – Dinarides. Komovi Mountains range is situated in the eastern Montenegro and stretches between the farthest upstream parts of the Lim River to the east and the Tara River on the west, to Drcka River to the north and Prokletije ranges to the south. From the south and east Komovi Mountain is encircled with a wild complex of Montenegrin – Albanian mountain range known as Prokletije – Accursed Mountains, the highest peaks at the altitude of 2534 meters – Kolac/Maja Kolata, 2694 m – Jezerski Vrh/Maja Jezerce), and on the north by Bjelasica Mountain, with its highest peak Crna Glava at the altitude of 2139 meters.
The Komovi mountain massif is 40 km long and 30 km wide, and is covered from all sides by the vast plateaus at average altitude of 1900 meters – Štavna and Ljuban to the north, Rogam to the west, Crne to the south and Varda to the east. The highest peaks of Komovi mountains are: Kučki Kom (2487 m), Ljevoriječki Kom (2469 m, north peak of Kucki Kom) and Vasojevički Kom (2460 m). Eastern and southeastern side of Komovi Mountains belongs to Polimlje and to the municipality of Andrijevica. It is the eastern side of Vasojevicki Kom which, from its top (2460 m), slopes down to the Štavna and Varda plateaus at the altitude of 1900 meters and to the Lim River at 700 meters. Confluent valleys along the Lim and Tara rivers are sharply cutting lower parts of Komovi mountains in radial manner and make this area accessible from all sides. This area is known for its direct openness and vicinity of the shortest tourist-frequented route between southeast Montenegro and its coastal region and a favorable continuity and exposition of its slopes of surreal beauty.
Komovi mountain fascinates everyone with its diversity of natural attractions, rich flora and fauna and numerous cultural monuments, churches and monasteries. Komovi Mountain peaks are encircled with dangerous cuttings formed around springs in pre-glacial water sources. Basic morphological characteristics of cuttings are their vertical and conical shape, always being bare, with open asymmetric sides and extremely jagged edges. Komovi Mountain has always been shelter to mountain goats and a plant treasury. According to the legend, fairies used to summoned one another to its slopes. Enchanted with peaks and pastures of Komovi Mountain nature lovers have rightfully named it “the king of the mountains” and “the divine giant”. The peaks of Kucki Komovi (2.487 m) and Vasojevicki Komovi (2.461 m) exceed in height the surrounding cliffs and crests. From the Komovi Mountains the sights spread all the way to the Adriatic Sea, the Lovcen Mountain, Kopaonik Mountain, Durmitor massif, Kosovo, Albania ….Nature has played with the mountain mass of Komovi Mountain and has carved tremendous forms in the wild rocky chaos. The tame valleys have concealed themselves among the wild peaks, and a lake glistens from here to there.
Komovi Mountains are especially interesting for nature lovers, botanists, hedonists and all who are keen in exploration of intact nature. Almost everywhere around Komovi Mountain ridges from their very tops there are big heaps of sandy and rocky materials that were made out of the erosion processes. They look like rivers of rock as they descend to the cuttings and river valleys of the Perucica and the Kucka rivers. The biggest rocky heap is located on north-eastern side of Vasojevicki Kom and is almost 3 km long. These unusual valleys and “rocky chaos” complete an outstanding composition on the Komovi Mountain space. There are numerous well marked climbing and hiking trails on Komovi Mountain, as well as operational and well experienced mountaineering club which organizes traditional treks along this wild mountain chain.
Andrijevica is small town between the mountains slopes of the Komovi Mountains and the Lim River, by tradition named after the donor – founder Andrija, last time mentioned in 1250, as son of Miroslav Zavidovic, who erected a monastery on this spot beside the Perucica River. Some 10 km away from the Perućica River, later renamed into Zlorečica River, whose original name obviously derives from Perun – the pre-Christian deity, there is the Kosuticce village in the Dobra zhupa area, where on the locality called Krsine, group of scholars from the Museum of Berane in 2005 discovered ruins of the monastery that was known in oral tradition as Namastir – Kom manastir or the Ćećevo Monastery. There beside the stone remains of the monastery, few decades ago a certain Spis Vasilija – the Basil’s Record was found. It is actually discovery of the Zbornik Smilja Dabizova Vasilija – the Record of Smilje Dabizov Vasilije, written in carbon by monk in 1344, now kept in the Serbian Academy of Sciences in Belgrade, which mentions, among the other data, that the three Serbian tribes in 641 reached the place that they symbolically named Debrec – the present area of Plav up to the Budimlje village, at the foot of Komovi Mountain in Montenegro.
The authentic Vasojevic and Kucki type of houses still preserve the traditional highlander lifestyle of Northern Montenegro. The high katuns slowly surrender to the beautiful cruelty of the mountain and gradually disappear from its slopes. However below the Komovi Mountain peaks on Stavna vast plateau, there is the “Eko katun Štavna“ (Ecological complex of houses for renting) with 10 houses to rent for very affordable daily rental price. Each house has 5 beds, living room, bathroom and shower with warm water. Also, within the Stavna Eko katun there is the restaurant serving tasty original highlanders food.
Various and unique flora and fauna of Komovi Mountain, myriad crystal clear mountain springs and rivers, numerous monuments of culture, churches and monasteries, such is the Saint George Monastery of Budimlja near Berane, dating from the 12th century. The Church of Saint Elijah – Saint Ilija on the Carine Plateau, on the southern slopes of the Komovi Mountains was built in 1900 by King Nikola. It was dedicated to the brave Kuci Tribe and to the memory of King s father the duke Mirko. St. Ilija’s church on the Carine point beneath the Komovi Mountains is a church built on the highest altitude in Europe untill now, located at 1800 meters above sea level. Genuine warmth and hospitality of the locals who live beneath the Komovi Mountain peaks leave nobody indifferent. On the contrary – once you get to the paradise of beech and coniferous forests above which dominates giant Komovi mountain – you immediately become speechless.
