Njegoš, poet-prince of Montenegro: the back story

About Njegoš, poet-prince of Montenegro: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Podgorica Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

In a small mountain state of the 19th century, its ruler was also its finest writer. Njegoš, prince-bishop of Montenegro from 1830 until his death in 1851, left poems that are still read and quoted across the region.

The prince-bishop

Born in Njeguši, below Lovćen, in 1813, Njegoš became ruler and Orthodox bishop of Montenegro at seventeen. He modernised the little state, set up its first printing press after a long gap, and built the Biljarda, his residence in Cetinje.

The poet

He wrote philosophical and epic poetry, including The Ray of the Microcosm (1845) and The Mountain Wreath (1847), long regarded as a classic of South Slavic literature. His lines are quoted in Montenegro to this day.

Njegoš asked to be buried on the summit of Lovćen, and Montenegro has kept his wish.

Lovćen

Njegoš wished to be buried on Lovćen, and today his mausoleum, designed by Ivan Meštrović and completed in 1974, stands on the peak of Jezerski Vrh, reached by 461 steps.

Our advice: start at the Biljarda in Cetinje, where Njegoš lived and worked, then drive up to his mausoleum on Lovćen. In Njeguši, his birthplace, stop for pršut and cheese.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Njegoš, poet-prince of Montenegro: the back story before you go.