LEGENDS
Myths of Montenegro From folklore and legend to its own exciting history, this fascinating country has plenty of stories to tell
M
THE THREE SISTERS
Myth and folklore are central to the cultural heritage of the Bay of Kotor, particularly in the coastal town of Herceg Novi, where one of its most renowned historical tales revolves around the town’s celebrated mimosa flower. The most romantic legend surrounding this flower is a tale of forbidden love, compassion and generosity. Once upon a time, the gods created a terrible storm in the Bay of Kotor, destroying everything in its path. The fairy Alkima was sailing through the bay, looking for her human lover. The relationship between the two was strictly forbidden, but such was the strength of her love that she continued on her way as the storm got stronger, and her boat began to sink. Several young men standing on the shore saw her plight and braved the storm to save her. Alkima offered them gold as a reward for saving her life. The young men refused the gold and instead Alkima gave them something that would last forever: the mimosa flower. To this day, the mimosa flower is an instantly recognisable symbol of Herceg Novi. The month-long Mimosa Festival, held every February, heralds the arrival of spring and attracts more than 20,000 visitors. First held in 1969, the festival hosts myriad cultural events, great food, wine, music, parades and carnivals.
Located in the Bay of Kotor, the small town of Prčanj is famous for its enviable location and spectacular views, and this historic t own also offers the perfect opportunity to delve into Montenegro’s fascinating past. Prčanj’s cobbled streets, which are flanked by 17th- and 18th-century buildings, with stone villas, gardens and olive orchards dominating the waterfront, lead you through a town steeped in history to Tre Sorelle Palace – the Palace of the Three Sisters. One of Prčanj’s most Sailors from Perast found a picture of the Virgin THE HISTORY celebrated highlights, this renowned mansion Mary and the Christ Child on a solitary rock in the OF LUŠTICA dates back to the 15th century and was built and bay in 1452. Subsequently, after every successful Few books have been written owned by the aristocratic Buća family. voyage they would add more rocks to the exact about the history of the Luštica As the story goes, the three sisters who lived spot so that eventually a church could be built on peninsula. A new volume is set here all fell in love with the same sailor. When he top. The tradition continued down the centuries to remedy that. The book will went to sea, they each waited at their own and is still honoured today. Every year, at sunset detail the geopolitical history, bedroom window for him return. The years went on 22 July, local residents celebrate fašinada, geography, ethnology and by and the sisters still waited for their sailor, who rowing out and throwing rocks into the sea to anthropology of Luštica Bay, never returned. Finally, two sisters passed away widen the surface of the islet. from the Illyrian period to the and their windows were boarded up. When the present day. It will include many last sister died, there was no one left to board up published articles, studies, and her window and so it remains unsealed to this day. works on subjects related to The spectacular Ostrog Monastery is carved into Visitors to Prčanj should also be sure to visit Luštica Bay, complemented by the rock at Ostroška Greda. It is dedicated to Saint the Birth of Our Lady church, perhaps the most thorough field research, as well Basil of Ostrog, and many legends exist about his impressive landmark in the town. This grand as archive material from Kotor, life. In one account, Saint Basil is said to have architectural masterpiece took 120 years to build Dubrovnik, Trieste and Belgrade. thrown a pear seed on to the cliff top on a cold and houses numerous paintings and sculptures, Prominent experts from February day. In the morning a large tree had including works by Piazzetta, Tiepolo and Balestra. Montenegro will be invited to grown through the rocks, with flowers on one side contribute in their specialist and pears on the other. fields. The project is being According to another legend, Saint Basil, who conducted under the auspices was known as an expert doctor, needed parsley One of the better-known myths and a story that is of Dušan Stanković, owner of immediately to treat a pilgrim but there was none still recalled today is that of Our Lady of the Rocks, the Luštica Bay antiques store available. He planted parsley seeds that night and a man-made islet in the Bay of Kotor created from of the same name. by the next morning they had grown into large rocks and the wreckage sunken ships. Legend has it plants. These parsley plants continued to grow, year after year, in the that the islet was formed as a result of a local sailors’ oath that dates same corner, even though the area wasn’t exposed to sun or rain. back to the 15th century.
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LUSTICABAY.COM
ontenegro has long been associated with mystical spirits and ancient legends. For centuries, tales have been passed down through the generations and continue to enrich Montenegrin heritage today. These legends have not only stood the test of time, but have also inspired writers, painters and explorers from around the globe.
THE MIMOSA
ISSUE 2019
OSTROG MONASTERY
OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS
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