Niksic is a resort in Montenegro. The city of niksic and the socialist "horror" house of the revolution What are functional cookies

Niksic (Montenegro. Nikshiћ / Nikšić) is a city in Montenegro. Located in the Niksic Valley, at the foot of Mount Trebiesa. It is the second most populous city in Montenegro after Podgorica and an important industrial center of the country. The administrative center of the Niksic municipality.

Story

Niksic was founded by the Romans as a fortified military camp in the 4th century BC. e. on the site of an old Gothic settlement at the intersection of important roads. Then he bore the name Anagastum.

In the Middle Ages, the Slavs came to the region, during which the city began to be called Onogosht. After the Ottoman conquest of Serbia, Niksic became an important Turkish stronghold.

In 1877, when Nikola I Petrovich-Njegos ruled Montenegro, the Turks were expelled and Niksic was released. This attracted new settlers and gave a new impetus to the development of the city (then it was already called Niksic).

In 1883, a plan for the development of Niksic was drawn up, which began to be implemented by the architect-urban planner Josip Slade from Trogir. The first three decades after the plan was drawn up were characterized by an explosive growth of urban production and trade, and the establishment of various cultural and educational organizations in the city. By 1900, various sights were built in Niksic: the Orthodox Church of St. Basil, the royal palace, the Royal Bridge, the main city square with six streets diverging from it, several parks.

After World War II, the city was renovated and reconstructed. Niksic grew tenfold and became one of the important industrial centers of Montenegro.

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Niksic is located in the valley of the same name, at the foot of Mount Trebiesa, being the second most populous city in the territory. Today, it performs the functions of an important industrial center, and also acts as a transport hub that connects various regions and settlements of the country. In the vicinity of the city, researchers at one time found many unique artifacts of the prehistoric era, now flaunting in the halls of numerous archaeological museums.

Peculiarities

As a large industrial center and the capital of the municipality of the same name, Niksic enjoys high prestige in his country, being considered one of the most developed and progressive cities in Montenegro. Financial stability is provided by local manufacturing enterprises and factories, as well as tourists who regularly visit these places. Located far from the sea and devoid of traditional resort joys, Niksic, nevertheless, has unique natural beauties, boasts a number of interesting sights and excellent conditions for outdoor enthusiasts. The infrastructure is well developed here, there are inexpensive hotels, cozy restaurants and entertainment venues. Low houses are combined with a lot of greenery, and mountain peaks visible in the distance seem to encircle the city, protecting it from strong winds.

general information

The area of ​​​​Niksic is quite significant compared to other cities in Montenegro, and the population is small and amounts to about 60 thousand people. Time is 1 hour behind Moscow time in summer and 2 hours in winter. Timezone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in summer. Telephone code (+382) 40. Official website www.niksic.me.

A brief excursion into history

The first permanent settlement on these lands was founded by the Romans, who built a military camp on the site of an old Gothic village. In the Middle Ages, the Slavs came here and called the city Onogosht. Subsequently, the region was for a long time dominated by the Turks, whose reign ended in 1877, when Nikola Petrovich-Njegosh reigned in Montenegro. After that, the population of the city, by that time already called Niksic, began to grow rapidly. In the late XIX - early XX centuries, new enterprises appeared here, transport links improved, infrastructure improved, educational and cultural institutions appeared. To a large extent, the Second World War had a bad effect on the well-being of the city, plunging it into an abyss of chaos and destruction. Only a few decades later, it fully recovered, but internal contradictions between the former Yugoslav countries on the Balkan Peninsula again caused economic decline. As a result, only by the mid-2000s, the capital of the Niksic municipality was revived and gained stability.

Climate

Niksic has a temperate continental climate. Winter here is cool, but not frosty, and summer is usually warm and sunny, when the thermometer fluctuates between +20..+25 degrees. Most of the precipitation, as a rule, occurs in autumn and spring, although it also rains in summer. You can come here at any time of the year, but the period from May to September is the most pleasant pastime.

How to get there

The nearest international airport is located 70 km from Niksic, in. With it, as well as with other neighboring regions and settlements of the country, the city is connected by intercity rail and bus service.

Transport

Within the city limits, the main means of transportation are also buses.

Attractions and entertainment

The central place of Niksic is its main square - Sloboda, from where 6 streets diverge in different directions at once. There is a monument to King Nikola Petrovich-Njegosh and an original brutal modernist fountain called "Birds", created in 2005 by sculptor Milan Tsvorovich. Nearby rises a column with a statue of the Mother of God and Jesus with halos, donated to the city by the Russian government. Near the square is the monumental cathedral church of St. Vasily Ostrozhsky, built between 1985 and 1900 on a picturesque hill. The construction of the temple is dedicated to the memory of the Montenegrin soldiers who died during the war of 1875-1880. The church is surrounded by a pretty park, with an abundance of trees, plants and green lawns. Interestingly, among the people who donated money for the construction of the holy monastery was the Russian Emperor Nicholas II. Today, the cathedral is active and constantly gathers an impressive number of parishioners. Among other objects worthy of attention, it is worth highlighting the Palace of the Princes, which is considered an example of the Renaissance style, the ancient Bedem fortress built by the Turks, the local history museum, the exquisite Royal Bridge and the Trebies Forest Park, which has a reputation as a wonderful place for walking.

Of the sightseeing routes, trips to the lakes of Slano, Krupac and Liperovichi are especially impressive, they are incredibly clean and refreshing on hot summer days. Tourists who are not indifferent to the history of Orthodoxy should definitely visit the Zhupa Monastery, covered with legends and tales. It was destroyed many times, but each time it was restored. In the vicinity of the city there are a number of unique excavations dating back to the eras of the Illyrian period, Roman rule and the Middle Ages. During the winter season, sports enthusiasts are welcome to the slopes of Krnov and the Vuče ski center, about 20 km from Niksic. Despite its small size and a very limited number of slopes, this resort is quite attractive and perfect for family skiing.

Kitchen

There are enough culinary establishments in the capital of the Niksic municipality, and you can often enjoy tasting national Montenegrin dishes here for a moderate fee. Among the drinks, it is worth paying attention to the beer brands "Nik" and "Nikishichko" produced at the local brewery.

shopping

A wide range of goods of all directions is exhibited in shops and trade shops.

Beautiful architecture and a variety of natural landscapes, combined with the hospitality of local residents and well-developed infrastructure, are the main advantages of Niksic, which can give a lot of positive impressions even to experienced travelers.

Today I propose to take a walk around Niksic. This is the second largest city in Montenegro after Podgorica, industrial and transport center. It is located on the Nikshechkom field at the foot of the Trebesa mountain. The title photo shows a view of the city from this mountain.

As always, a little history at the beginning. In deep antiquity, there was a Roman military settlement of Anderba, which later became the Slavic fortress of Onogosht. And then this fortress passed into the hands of the Turks, who were driven out only in the 19th century. Now the old city-fortress is a ruin on a hill near the modern city. You can read about this fortress in my separate post.

The city acquired its modern look at the end of the 19th century, after the liberation of Niksic from the Turks by the troops of King Nikola I in 1877. In 1883, the Croatian architect Josip Slade drew up a master plan for the development of the city. In those years, this was a significant progress, many European cities were then built up chaotically, without an urban plan. Thanks to this, today in the center of Niksic we see wide streets, boulevards, intersections, squares, park areas.

And now let's see the most interesting places in this city. All of them are concentrated in principle in one place next to the hill on which the Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog is located. It was built in 1899, for which the Russian Emperor Nicholas II allocated his personal funds. In front of the entrance to the cathedral on the square is a statue of the Virgin with a baby in her arms.

From the hill you can see the old cemetery with beautiful graves and the church of Saints Peter and Paul of the 10th century.

Next to the cathedral is the palace of King Nikola built in 1900. Its architectural appearance is much more impressive than the main one. Despite the apparently greater comfort, the royal family rarely visited this residence. Now there is a local history museum.

Public baths built in 1927.

Another old building, I don't know exactly what it is. Apparently owned by the church administration.

And this is the central square with a circular motion, from which six radial streets depart. The houses on the square are not so old and beautiful, because they were rebuilt after the Second World War. At the same time, the city acquired its industrial significance.

Niksic is also famous for its old bridges. About the most ancient, built by the Romans, you can see

Its most important economic center and beer capital of the country. Many cultural and historical places, interesting cafes and restaurants are concentrated here.

Location

Niksic is located in the northwestern part of Montenegro, in the valley of the Zeta River, at an altitude of about 650 m above sea level, surrounded by several picturesque lakes (Slano, Krupac, Liverovici).

History of Niksic

The first mention of settlements in the area of ​​the current city dates back to the 4th century BC. In those years, this place was a Roman military camp, which was called Anagastum. From that time to the present, ancient artifacts have been preserved in Niksic, which, as they are found by archaeologists, are transferred to the Local History Museum of the city.

Slavs came here in the Middle Ages. Then came the period of domination of the Ottoman Empire, and Niksic became one of the outposts of the Turks. After King Nikola I came to power, favorable changes awaited the city - it was liberated, and then began to actively develop and build up. The appearance of the modern city Niksic received after the Second World War, when it was significantly updated and reconstructed: the Royal Palace, the Royal Bridge, the city center with a square and a park recreation area, etc. appeared.

Climate in the city

A temperate continental climate prevails here. In winter (from December to February), the temperature bars show +5 ... + 7 ° С, there are no frosts. In summer it is warm and sunny, the air warms up to +20..+25°C. It rains mainly in spring and autumn, with little rainfall in summer. Niksic is the period from May to September, although in general you can visit all year round, as the city is replete with interesting places and opportunities for all weather.

Sights of Niksic in Montenegro

If you plan to visit Niksic, then be sure to check out a brief overview of the most interesting places in the city:

Holidays in Niksic

When traveling to the city of Niksic, you can choose for yourself:

• leisure. For lovers of mountaineering and mountain slopes near the city, on the slope of Krnov, a ski complex Vucje was built. It has 4 tracks of different difficulty levels and a total length of about 3 km;
• ecotourism. Visit the neighboring lakes Liperovic, Krupachko, Krupac, and Slano, as well as the river Zeta. In addition to relaxing in the bosom of nature, you can go fishing, and if you're lucky, take part in sport fishing competitions;
• beach vacation. On Lake Krupac, beaches were specially equipped for recreation for residents and guests of the city and a motel was built;
• hiking. City tour with a visit to the monuments of art described above, cozy streets, galleries, museums, etc. will not leave you indifferent;
• festivals. If you plan to come to Niksic in September, you can witness the Days of Culture taking place here, designed mainly for lovers of poetry and theatrical art.

Accommodation and meals

In the city of Niksic, restaurants of various levels of service also work for vacationers, so you can choose an institution to your taste and budget. Among the most popular hotels among tourists coming here are Vucje, Trebjesa, Vukov Most, Hotel Onogost. The rating of restaurants in the city is headed by such establishments as Turisticko naselje Koliba, Portun, Kolibe, Kastel. Prices in cafes and restaurants are moderate. Guests of the city are especially fond of the beer varieties "Nik" and "Niksicko", produced at the local brewery.

How to get there?

Closest to Niksic international. Trains and buses depart from the capital and other settlements of Montenegro to Niksic. Due to the fact that transport links here are at the highest level, Niksic can be reached by car from almost any city in the country, since it is located at the intersection of several highways and junctions.

The road from Podgorica will take about 1 hour. If you go to Niksic from coastal cities, you will have to spend 1.5-2 hours on the way.

Once Niksic could boast of 4 cinemas, at that time there was 1 in Belgrade. Now not a single one is working ...
Once the Niksic region was the largest in Yugoslavia, and now in Montenegro (15% of the country's territory).
Once the Metallurgical Plant (Željezara) worked at full capacity here, giving work to 7,000 inhabitants in Yugoslavia, now a couple of hundred people work there. Unemployment is thriving in the city, many are forced to leave to work, the closest option is to a construction site in Podgorica.

There is a Perucica hydroelectric power station in the city, and Niksic is also rich in bauxites and preserved forests. Tourists associate this city with beer :))) After all, the Trebiesha brewery stands here, produces light and dark Niksicko, Elen and other varieties. Earlier, I already wrote about Montenegrin beer and the plant. And in Niksic there is a faculty of Russian language and literature (university website). Although it would be more logical to place it on the coast, where tourism is developed, but thanks for that. I met graduates of this faculty, they speak excellent Russian!

The city stands at an altitude of 630 m above sea level, 50 km from Podgorica. It is surrounded by huge peaks, looks very picturesque thanks to three artificial lakes and three rivers, fertile fields and village houses in the area. But in the very center of Niksic is the disgrace of socialist times - the House of the Revolution. Not only is it not completed, but it is also dangerous for local children, they fall into pits there, walking along the abandoned, and rescuers do not always have time to come to the rescue ...

Near Salt Lake, very picturesque, as many islands look out. It is with fresh water in fact, here they fish and hunt for ducks. It got its name from the field strewn with salt. In the old days, a carvan route passed here, salt was brought from the Adriatic, apparently a lot of it crumbled in this field.

There are two more artificial lakes nearby - Vrtats and Krupac, I had dinner near the latter in the evening.
There is a huge restaurant near the water and a place for recreation of Nikshi residents.
The photo is earlier, I pass here very often, heading north - to the town of Pluzhine and Lake Piva

Picturesque villages close to the city, if you drive along the highway from Niksic to Pluzine

If we talk about sights, then it is worth seeing the arched Tsarev Bridge, the money for it was given by the Russian Emperor Alexander III, also the Cathedral of Vasily Ostrozhsky, it was sponsored by the Russian Tsar Nicholas II, the palace of the Montenegrin King Nikola, the ruins of the city fortress.

But I had another goal, I did not examine these places. I was passing through Niksic, left the bus station (the ticket from Budva is 8 euros), and went to a cafe opposite. From there, I took a picture of the central highway and the fork in the streets.

Everything is clear here. You will go to the right - you will find buses and trains :)
If you go to the left, you will get to the Metallurgical Plant or to the Vuchye ski resort.
Go straight - you will get to the capital, and crookedly - to the Center. That's where I went.

From above, the city center looks pretty (photo from an Internet). It was designed by the Italian architect Josep Slade, the same one who came up with the serpentine with 25 turns from Kotor to Mount Lovcen.

And you know what the first thing I pay attention to? on the religion of the inhabitants. For some reason, I have a great interest in this, to know the% ratio. These gourds on the boards announce the date and time of the funeral. They are hung all over the city and the outskirts by relatives. Black edging - Orthodox, blue - Catholic, green - Muslim. If instead of a cross there is a red star, then he was an atheist communist.

I note low and colored houses

I walk along the central pedestrian street, on both sides there are bars and cafes. When it got dark, everything was packed with people, and couples with children were walking along the road.

It was an amazing feeling, like I'm in Montenegro, but this is something new for me, and I'm a tourist looking around.

I decided to film my walk, look what I didn't retell.

Yes, I really walked around the city for 1.5 hours, looking at it and doing shopping, and not only looking for clothes for myself. I talked in the store with a saleswoman at the end of her working day. I always ask Montenegrins the same thing: "How does the city live? Where do people work? Is it good or bad for them." Oh, how she complained!!!

Books are sold in the central square. Are Montenegrins really a reading nation? I never thought so...

Invariable meeting place at the Pushkin monument to King Nicholas I

Someone makes business on the weaknesses of children

Far from the central square. In general - clean, calm, comfortable, but there are not enough benches ...

Mixture of old and modern

Here sits the city government

Some stolen information from the internet:
The Yugoslav war passed Montenegro, but left the Niksic factories without suppliers and markets (sanctions, trade embargo), which caused a complete decline in production, which continued until the end of the 90s. Many enterprises of the city were closed, others fell into decay. Niksic's business life began to recover only in the early 2000s. The surviving factories have been privatized and have now adapted to the new conditions. However, these enterprises cannot employ as many workers as they employed in the days of socialist Yugoslavia. Therefore, the city's economy is gradually transforming towards a service economy.

The center of Niksic made a painful impression - construction sites, socialist reminders, graffiti...

I wouldn't want to live here

The scariest building is hiding behind these cute cats

This is just a small part of it

This house was conceived as the largest monument to the revolution in the former Yugoslavia. But 38 years have passed since the foundation was laid, during which time two dozen people died in it. The House of the Revolution with an area of ​​22,000 square meters has swallowed up millions of dinars, marks and euros, it has become synonymous with death. People came here to commit suicide, homeless people died within its walls, children died falling into pits, and how many people were crippled - do not count!

Until now, the "socialist horror movie" has swallowed 50 million euros, with this money it was possible to build more than 3,000 apartments.

There is a dilemma - to demolish the building or to complete it? We thought about making a Cultural Center, and a Nature Center, and a Shopping Center ... I'll show you someone else's photo a little from a height.

On September 18, 1977, the Yugoslav hero Veljko Zhekovich laid the foundation stone for the site of the former Pedagogical School on Lenin Square. What he spent his day, energy and preparing a speech on, he did not even suspect .... And today, on the contrary, kids play and pensioners while away the evenings. God forbid that revolutions, socialism, terrible architectural ideas remain in Montenegro in the past.

Those who understand Serbian can watch a program about a creepy house in Niksic.

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