- Location: municipality Plav, Montenegro
- Area: 16630 hectares
- The highest point: the peak of Evil Kolata (2534 m)
In the east of Montenegro there is a picturesque mountain range, at the foot of which the national park Prokletie (or Prokletie) was broken. Despite its name, the park is distinguished by its rich flora and fauna, as well as an interesting cultural and historical heritage. This is what attracts tourists from all over the world, the number of which is constantly growing.
History of the Prokletiye Park
This protected area was established in 2009. It was then that the representative body of Montenegro adopted the relevant law and defined the boundaries of the Prokletie National Park.
From the Serbo-Croatian language, the name of the reserve means "damned mountains". In Albanian it is known as Alpet Shqiptare, which translates as "Albanian Alps".
Geography and climate of Prokletie Park
This area is characterized by a large number of mountain peaks diluted by rivers, clear lakes and springs. The mountains themselves were formed thanks to the joining of parts of the African plate. The highest point of Prokletiye Park is the peak of Evil Kolata, whose height reaches 2534 m. There are also canyons Rugova, Dekani, Gashi and Tsemi.
The nature reserve is located in the zone, which is characterized by continental, mountain and subalpine climate. In winter it is cool here and in the summer it's rainy. In winter, because of heavy snowfalls, the park is completely cut off from the outside world.
The average annual air temperature in Prokleti is about + 4 ° C.
Reservoirs in the Prokletie Park
Due to the unusual geological composition of the mountains, there are many surface waters in this area. These include:
- the Lim River is 219 km long;
- the Drin River;
- sources of Ali Pasha;
- the Skakavats stream, which forms a 20-meter waterfall;
- Plavskoe Lake with an area of 6 square meters. km.
The main value of the Prokletie Park and the whole region is the Plavskoe Lake, which is full of many species of fish. In addition to it, there are lakes Bielai, Visitor, Ropoyanskoe, Tatarijskoe, Khridskoe and many other reservoirs.
Biodiversity of the Prokletie Park
The rich flora and fauna of this national park is due to the presence of several ecological systems. There are forest tracts, mountain meadows, glaciers, anthropogenic deserts, and limestones. But still the main value of Prokletie Park is its forests, consisting of relic and endemic plants. Here grows 1700 species of plants, among which are beech, oak, maple, chestnut and coniferous trees. Many of them have medicinal properties. According to scientists, botanists, this combination of plants is characteristic only for this area.
As for the fauna of Prokletie Park, it is no less diverse. Here live:
- 160 species of birds - gray herons, peregrine falcons, hawks, hazel grouses, snake-eaters;
- a lot of species of fish - carp, roach, taimen, grayling;
- mammalian animals - rodents, brown bears, lynxes, wild boars, deer, wolves.
In addition to wild animals in the meadows of Prokletie Park, livestock is grazing, which belongs to the inhabitants of nearby villages.
Cultural heritage
In addition to rich biodiversity, this national park has an interesting cultural heritage. The presence of a large number of monuments from different eras indicates that once in the territory of the Prokletiye Park different cultures and civilizations intertwined, world religions and empires collided. Here are the monuments of the Middle Ages, the times of Turkish rule and even the Roman Empire. Among them, special attention should be paid to:
- the monastery of High Decani;
- The royal mosque;
- the Church of the Holy Trinity of the XII century;
- the original Rejepagicha tower ;
- The Vizir Mosque;
- rock carvings of the VIII-VII c. BC. e;
- Balich tower and other monuments.
The buildings belonging to the traditional architecture of Montenegro have been preserved in the territory of the Prokletiye National Park. Among them there are village houses built of stone and wood.
Recreation and entertainment in Prokletie Park
Currently, the tourism industry is actively developing in this region. In the warm and dry season you can meet lovers of wildlife, hunters and supporters of outdoor activities. Climbers, paragliders and speleologists often come to Prokletiye Park.
This protected area with its picturesque landscapes as if created for a relaxing holiday and long walks. Arriving at Prokletiye Park, you can breathe the clean mountain air of Montenegro, enjoy the silence and get acquainted with the unique untouched nature.
How to get to Prokletie Park?
The National Park is located in the north-eastern part of Montenegro, a few kilometers from the Albanian border. From Podgorica to Prokletiya, about 149 km, which can be overcome in 3.5 hours. To do this, you first need to follow the motorway E65 (E80), and then follow the highway M9.