Myths of Montenegro

Montenegro 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

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.

THE THREE SISTERS

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 townsteeped in history to Tre Sorelle Palace – the Palace of the Three Sisters. One of Prčanj’s most celebrated highlights, this renowned mansion dates back to the 15th century and was built and owned by the aristocratic Buća family.

As the story goes, the three sisters who lived here all fell in love with the same sailor. When he went to sea, they each waited at their own bedroom window for him return. The years went by and the sisters still waited for their sailor, who never returned. Finally, two sisters passed away and their windows were boarded up. When the last sister died, there was no one left to board up her window and so it remains unsealed to this day.

Visitors to Prčanj should also be sure to visit the Birth of Our Lady church, perhaps the most impressive landmark in the town. This grand architectural masterpiece took 120 years to build and houses numerous paintings and sculptures, including works by Piazzetta, Tiepolo and Balestra.

OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS

One of the better-known myths and a story that is still recalled today is that of Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made islet in the Bay of Kotor created from rocks and the wreckage sunken ships. Legend has itthat the islet was formed as a result of a local sailors’ oath that dates back to the 15th century.

Sailors from Perast found a picture of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child on a solitary rock in the bay in 1452. Subsequently, after every successful voyage they would add more rocks to the exact spot so that eventually a church could be built on top. The tradition continued down the centuries and is still honoured today. Every year, at sunset on 22 July, local residents celebrate fašinada, rowing out and throwing rocks into the sea to widen the surface of the islet.

OSTROG MONASTERY

The spectacular Ostrog Monastery is carved into the rock at Ostroška Greda. It is dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog, and many legends exist about his life. In one account, Saint Basil is said to have thrown a pear seed on to the cliff top on a cold February day. In the morning a large tree had grown through the rocks, with flowers on one side and pears on the other.

According to another legend, Saint Basil, who was known as an expert doctor, needed parsley immediately to treat a pilgrim but there was none available. He planted parsley seeds that night and by the next morning they had grown into largeplants. These parsley plants continued to grow, year after year, in the same corner, even though the area wasn’t exposed to sun or rain.

THE HISTORY OF LUŠTICA

Few books have been written about the history of the Luštica peninsula. A new volume is set to remedy that. The book will detail the geopolitical history, geography, ethnology and anthropology of Luštica Bay, from the Illyrian period to the present day. It will include many published articles, studies, and works on subjects related to Luštica Bay, complemented by thorough field research, as well as archive material from Kotor, Dubrovnik, Trieste and Belgrade. Prominent experts from Montenegro will be invited to contribute in their specialist fields. The project is being conducted under the auspices of Dušan Stanković, owner of the Luštica Bay antiques store of the same name.