Njegos Mausoleum
The Njegos Mausoleum is the highest mausoleum in the world, located on Mount Lovćen in Montenegro. It honors Petar II Petrović Njegoš and offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic coast and surrounding landscapes, blending natural beauty with historical significance.
Introduction to the Njegos Mausoleum
The most impressive and very mystic destination of Montenegro is the Njegos Mausoleum on Mount Lovćen. You can reach it by car from Cetinje, 13 kilometers away, passing through the climate spa of Ivan’s riverbeds. Consequently, the drive through beech, oak, and linden forests offers fresh, translucent air that dispels the summer heat of the coast.
The mausoleum sits at Jezerski vrh, 1,660 meters high, making it the world’s highest. An asphalt road leads to its foot, curving through the heights. Upon arrival, a plateau features a restaurant with a ticket shop and souvenir store. Moreover, a custodian or guide provides abundant information about Petar II Petrović Njegoš and Montenegrin history.
Architecture and Construction of the Mausoleum
From the plateau, 461 stone staircases and a marble tunnel lead to the Njegos Mausoleum entrance. Indeed, construction took five years, using several tons of stone. The idea came from sculptor Ivan Meštrović, and it replaced Njegoš’s original chapel burial site.
The mausoleum’s façade features Njegoš’s grand figure in fine stone, weighing 28 tons, topped by a grey eagle. Inside, two stone caryatides weigh 7.5 tons. Down in the crypt, a white marble sarcophagus holds his remains, with 18 kg of gold dispersed as 27,000 kernels on the walls. The tombstone reads “Njegoš 1813. – 1851.”
Visiting the Njegos Mausoleum and Surroundings
Visits peak from May to October, attracting thousands to Mount Lovćen. The view spans Kotor Bay, the open sea, Skadar Lake, Prokletije, and Cetinje. From the Njegos Mausoleum, you can photograph these scenes as lasting reminders. Additionally, a stone path leads to a Montenegrin threshing floor, a historic gathering spot.
Climbing the steps requires effort, but mini pauses allow sightseeing. On return, visit the “Vidikovac” restaurant for great views. Indeed, visiting demands determination and good will, but the experience on Lovćen is unforgettable. From the entrance, turning right, the path offers a short walk to this cultural site.
How to Get to the Njegos Mausoleum
From Budva or coastal towns, reach Lovćen by car, rental, taxi, bus, or organized tours. Driving from Ivan’s riverbeds, take the route over Krstac saddle on the Kotor–Njeguši–Cetinje way. For recreation enthusiasts, walking is an option via marked mountain tracks from Budva, Tivat, Cetinje, or Njeguši.