The river of beer and the picturesque town of Pluzine. Piva Lake Description of natural attractions

Piva Lake is located in the north of Montenegro. This is a man-made lake, i.e. appeared with human intervention, when they decided to build a dam on the Piva River. The lake is located near the town of Pluzyn. When you see him for the first time, you might think that this is all a river, it is long and narrow. In fact, it is so, the length is 45 km, and estimate the width of the lake in my photographs. I was there in July, rode this motor boat. Inexpressible sensations: from the beauty around, from the canyon, turquoise water, ducks, bridges, and in the end I bathed in fresh water, which I have not done for two years.

The maximum depth of the Piva Lake is 188 m. The height above sea level is 675 m. There is one more place 3 kilometers from the lake, which must be visited - the Piva Monastery of the 16th century. Once it stood on the very bank of the river, and the people who built it did not even suspect what an amazing fate awaited him. During the construction of the dam, the main church of the monastery, which fell into the flooded zone, was moved to a new location and reconstructed. It was a unique event attended by the world's best restorers. The ancient masonry of stone walls still keeps the memory of those distant events. During the relocation, more than 1000 sq.m. were removed and re-installed. frescoes.

In the meantime, I'll show you a beautiful road to the lake, we drove from the village. Scepan Pole to the town of Pluzyn. Mother Nature did her best!

See how the road opposite is carved into the mountain. I am already silent about the tunnels, of which there are many in the north, about 60.

It seems to me that James Cameron could boldly shoot "Avatar" in Montenegro! Sometimes the landscapes are unreal.

When my younger cousin asked me, "Why didn't you wake me up on the bus on the road to see this beauty? It's a shame!" I told her that at night nothing is visible at all - not a single lantern is here, and only cliffs and mountain tunnels are visible. And for her 18 years she has visited many dozen countries of the world, but after walking along the Piva Lake, she really understood how beautiful Montenegro is, how unique landscapes are hidden around every turn.

And here is the 220-meter dam Mratine, which blocked the canyon of the once turbulent Piva River, it was built in the period 1967-1975, and is the largest in Europe. At the base, its wall reaches a thickness of more than 30 m, and at the top it is 4.5 m. 820 thousand cubic meters of concrete and 5 million kg of steel are built into the dam. Outwardly impressive when you stand on it and look from both sides. But I heard that 28 people died during the construction (I could be wrong in the figure). It seems that prisoners were brought here to do dirty work.

To service the dam on one of the shores of Lake Piva, a town of Montenegrin power engineers, Pluzine, was built. Although new town is quite modern, the first settlement with the same name appeared in these parts in the 15th century. The night Pluzine is especially beautiful with bright lights when you look at it from above.

Piva Lake has a greenish-blue color and is one of the most beautiful places in the region. You can swim on it throughout the year, the bathing temperature in summer reaches 22 degrees, I saw how the locals were sunbathing en masse on the shore in Pluzine.

It was all a story about the places that we passed while driving to Pluzine. But we got on the boat and sailed with the breeze!

Still, Montenegro is a country of mountains, albeit not the highest in the world, but incredibly beautiful and diverse.

Here on the left photo you can see the gorge, it seems shallow, but look below what a wonderful raft boat swam there. It turned out that the people from my boat were familiar with them, we landed at them, and some of them - to us, so that the ponies could ride our motorboat with a breeze through the canyons. Plus there was a birthday boy. In general, not a bad place to celebrate))

They have drunk almost everything, eaten almost everything. Maybe that's why they fish?))

Then my sister and I moved to the stern and began to look into the water, looking for ducks with the eyes.

The canyon is really amazing, sometimes it is hard to believe that the boat will pass in this gorge between the mountains. And then once around the bend you see the normal width of the lake and relax))

And here is civilization - a suspension bridge!

Where and where you can get here is unclear.

On the other side is the bridge.

What the transparency of the water! At least drink from the palms of your hands!

Take a closer look - 3 ducks got scared of us and are getting away with all the urine.

Here they are

Upon our return, the two of us dived into the water, and all the Montenegrins got cold feet - it was already cold for them to swim at 19-00 without the sun's rays. Weaklings! In general, I advise everyone to rent a boat with a boatman, or maybe + with a picnic on the shore and have a lot of fun, like me. On this I will finish my beautiful photo report, I will only show where Lake Piva is located on the map of the country - at the top left, there is a blue long spot.

It has a bright and picturesque nature, which is the pride of the local population and attracts the attention of tens of thousands of tourists. One of the most beautiful natural canyon is the Piva Canyon.

Valley description

The gorge is located on the territory of Pluzine municipality and is located on the Piva plateau. The latter consists of a mountain range, the peaks of which are called Pivska Planina, Maglich, Voluyak and Bioche.

Beer originates near the Golija massif and flows through the western regions of Montenegro, and then crosses the border. The length of the reservoir is 120 km, and the energy capacity is used in the operation of the hydroelectric power plant.

The canyon of the Piva River has a maximum depth of 1200 m, its total length is 34 km, and the catchment area is 1270 sq. km.

The banks of the gorge are connected by strong bridges over which a passenger car can pass. The color of the water here is emerald green and at the same time it is remarkable for its amazing purity and transparency: you can drink it without fear of poisoning.

In 1975, the valley near Scepan Pol was blocked by the Mratinje Dam. As a result of this, a reservoir appeared, which received the name. This is the second largest body of water in Montenegro. The dam turns a calm river bed into a seething stream.

What can you do?

Around the gorge there are rocks covered with lush vegetation (there are oak and coniferous forests), on which wild chamois graze and golden eagles nest. All this creates a feeling of pristine nature and fills the space around the canyon with some kind of mystery that attracts travelers from all over the world. Tourists love to come here and locals for:

1. Active and passive recreation Is an ideal place for hiking, swimming in the water, mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hunting, fishing, etc.
2. Still on the coast you can rent a boat and make an exciting journey. Be careful, because the water level here changes abruptly and suddenly.
3. Along the coast of the Piva Canyon, there are small settlements where you can not only stay for the night but also taste local homemade products. Also, this area is famous for medicinal herbs that grow here.

Features of the visit

It is better to come to the gorge in the warm season, in winter the road is slippery and impassable. If you want to admire the canyon of the Piva River from a bird's eye view, then keep in mind that numerous tunnels have been cut through the mountain for travelers, through which you can climb up.

True, they are not illuminated, and along the entire path of the serpentine, there is rather poor coverage and it is very difficult for oncoming cars to drive off. It is better to go here with an experienced driver. The road will be challenging, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking and well worth the effort.

How to get there?

They do not organize to the canyon of the Piva River, and buses do not go. The most convenient way to get here is by taxi or car along the E762 road. The distance from Podgorica is 140 km, and from Budva - 190 km.

Lake Piva in Montenegro is one of the main attractions of the region and the most beautiful place on the territory of the country. It can be compared to a body of water and its surroundings are incredibly beautiful. The Piva region is ideal for a relaxing holiday and will be appreciated by lovers of unique natural beauty.

Description of the natural landmark

In the northern part of Montenegro, on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and near the town of Pluzine, there is one of the most beautiful sights - Piva Lake. The region itself has picturesque villages and is rich in vegetation. The location is great for fishing, hunting, hiking, cycling, swimming and mountain climbing. A large number of medicinal herbs and teas grow here. The region is ecologically clean and still little known among tourists, so here you can have a good rest, being alone with nature.

Lake Piva in Montenegro was formed artificially as a result of the construction of a dam of the same name on the high-mountainous river Komarnitsa. Although in fact it seems that it is a creation of nature. The meadows, hills, trees and shrubs surrounding the reservoir form an incredibly beautiful landscape that inspires and disposes to moral rest.

Lake and canyons

Earlier, on the site of Piva, a mountain river rushed violently. In 1975, a decision was made to build a dam in this area. This structure was erected according to a large-scale project - the thickness is about 30 m, during the construction process hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of concrete were used. Today, the Mratine dam is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world.

Lake Piva in Montenegro has a length of 46 km, its depth is about 200 m. In the hot season, the water temperature warms up only to +22 ° C. The lake ranks second in size in the country and has enough fresh water for the whole of Montenegro.

It was the construction of the dam that became the factor that greatly influenced the overall landscape of the area. The lake formed in the canyon has blue, sometimes even emerald, crystal clear water; picturesque shores, in turn, surrounded by lush vegetation, lead to it.

To fully enjoy the incredible beauty of the canyons in Montenegro, tourists are encouraged to rent a boat or buy a ticket for a pleasure boat. Kayaking is organized - rafting down the river. The place is best suited for relaxing walks, during which you can escape from the bustle of the city and everyday life, gain strength and recharge your batteries.

Among tourists, the Piva Monastery is a well-known historical landmark of Montenegro. It is an architectural monument of the 16th century, located about two kilometers from the lake. Initially, it was located on the very bank of the river, but after flooding in order to preserve the cultural object, it was decided to move the temple a couple of kilometers up from the canyon of the Piva River. In that place, only a cemetery, a hospitable house and a monastery bakery remained - the rest of the buildings were flooded.

The temple is very modest on the outside, but rich on the inside. Impressively amazing wall mural. Its elements occupy 1000 m 2. When moving, the fresco was carefully removed and then restored. The monastery has a large collection of murals and icons and is one of the main landmarks of the country.

GPS coordinates of Lake Piva in Montenegro

The reservoir is located relatively far from the resort coastal cities of the country, therefore it is not very popular either among independent tourists or among excursion bureaus. The lake is located in the north of Montenegro and belongs to the municipality of the nearby town of Pluzine. To make it easier to get to him and in case independent travel, it is recommended to use GPS coordinates, which will lead exactly to the target: 43 ° 10ʹ12ʺN 18 ° 50ʹ15ʺE.

Although the area is not very popular, Budva's tour bureaus organize trips to various landmarks in the country, including Lake Piva. As a rule, during such a tour it is proposed to visit another monastery, see the Mratine dam and national park Durmitor. It appeared in 1952, and since 1980 has been a UNESCO site. The area of ​​the park is 39,000 hectares, on the territory of which there are 48 mountain peaks, 18 lakes, 748 springs, ski resort, caves, canyons of Montenegro and much more.

You can get to Lake Piva by public transport: First, get to the large transport center Niksic, and then change to a bus that will take you directly to Pluzine. But experienced tourists write that the easiest way is to rent a car and go to the natural attraction on your own. The distance from Budva to Pluzine is about 170 km, road signs will show you the right way. It's a pleasure to drive: smooth roads, beautiful views along the way and safe serpentines.

As you know, Montenegro is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. There are indeed a lot of picturesque places that are engraved in memory. One of these places is Lake Piva (or Lake Piva).
The Piva River partially forms the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. It is located in the northwestern part of the country in the Durmitor mountain range, which contains the country's highest mountain peaks, exceeding an altitude of 2500 meters. The Piva River creates one of the many beautiful canyons that surround this mountain range.

Piva lake on the map of Montenegro

In the upper part of the Piva River, a hydroelectric power plant and a dam called Martini were built. Thus, an artificial Piva Lake was created. The dam, 220 meters high, is considered one of the tallest dams in Europe. The view from the bridge on the Piva River is literally breathtaking. You can describe Lake Piva in Montenegro for a very long time, but it's better to look at its photo.
Note that a visit to this lake is sometimes included in the program of an excursion to the Durmitor National Park, but in any case, check before buying an excursion if it includes a visit to Lake Piva if you want to see it.

Photo review of a trip to the north of Montenegro to the Durmitor National Park, to the Piva Lake, the canyons of the Moraca and Tara rivers, the Djurdjevic Bridge.

The main natural landscapes are located in the north and north-east of the country, so if you want to see other landscapes (not like those on the coast), you can safely go towards Durmitor.

What to see in the north of Montenegro

The map shows the places and viewing platforms, which are described in the article.

Piva lake and monastery

Pivsko jezero- an extremely picturesque artificial reservoir, the largest fresh water reservoir in Europe. You can rent a boat and swim on the Piva Lake.

Piva monastery 16 c stands on the banks of the Piva River on the way to the Piva Lake. The monastery looks very simple, the church has no dome.

The monastery is unique in that it was built during the rule of the Turks. This explains the simple appearance of the building, which can be mistaken for an ordinary house. This was done on purpose so as not to attract the attention of the occupiers. But inside, all the walls and ceilings of the monastery are painted with frescoes.

Piva lake

Nat. Durmitor park

Entrance - 3€ per person
Parking - 2€ per car

After admiring the Piva Lake and the monastery, we go to the nat. Durmitor park along the serpentine to see the highest peaks of Montenegro.

In the nat. the park can be walked around Black lake(circle 2.5 miles, you can go in an hour and a half). In summer they swim in this lake, but the water there is icy.

There are other marked hiking trails in Durmitor Park with a total length of more than 100 km.

You can climb to the top of the mountain Bobotov cook(from here, in clear weather, almost all of Montenegro is visible), go to caves, waterfalls and other lakes. There is a map of sightseeing routes in the park.

You can eat in a cafe, buy food in a store and stay overnight in the city of Zabljak at the entrance to the national. Durmitor park.

Zabljak stands on top 1450 meters away above sea level, in nat. Durmitor park maximum height - 2523 meters... It is cool in the mountains even in summer, it is often cloudy and it can rain.

Be sure to take with you even in summer warm clothes(bike, jacket) and closed shoes if you plan to walk in Durmitor.

Hotels near Durmitor park

Tara River Canyon and Djurdzhevich Bridge

After Durmitor we go again 20 km to the Djurdzhevich bridge and go down to the Tara river.

The Djurdzhevich Bridge is a concrete arched road bridge across the Tara River, 365 meters long, 172 meters high from the ground. It is considered the highest automobile arch bridge in Europe.

There are several cafes near the bridge (on one and the other side of the bridge) and souvenir shops. Parking near the bridge is free.

Photos are best taken from the observation deck, which is located on the side of Durmitor Park. If you cross the bridge, the visibility will be worse.

The Tara River flows under the bridge. You can fly over it on a zip-line ( 10€ from below, fast and scary or 20€ from above slowly and not so scary) or on a hang glider.

Rafting is also popular (long route 4 hours - 80-90€ or a short route 1.5 hours - 45-60€ ) along the Tara river.

Rafting tours are sold in the city of Zabljak, and to fly the bungee, you just need to come to the Djurdzhevich Bridge and buy a flight on the spot.

Moraca river

After the canyon of the Tara River, you can drive towards the town of Kolasin and further south along the highway to Podgorica, in order to see the nat. Biogradska Gora park, Moraca river, monastery, Moraca river canyon and suspension bridge. All these places are marked on the map.

We did not have a goal to see everything at once, so we did not go to the canyon of the Moraci River, instead we visited it.

The route of the trip on the map

Distance from Zabljak one way - 190 km

If you go only to the nat. Zabljak park from Budva through Podgorica without stops, on the road in one direction it will go 4 hours.

How long does it take for the whole trip? At least 1 daylight hours to travel north from the coastal resorts. It took us on a trip from Budva to the north and back 12 hours on beautiful roads. If you are planning walks on the nat. park, it is better to go with an overnight stay.

If you want to drive the whole circle through the sights marked on the map, then the road without stops will take more 9 o'clock(Total 519 km, most of the way along mountain serpentines).

Add to this the time to stop at viewing platforms, walks in the mountains, lunch, bungee - it will take a few more hours.

How to get to Durmitor park

1. By car

The best option. We were inexpensive and drove north by car to stop where we wanted and have time to see the most interesting things.

The trip from Budva to the north by car cost us 83€ (25€ car rental + 50€ gasoline + 8€ entrance tickets to Durmitor park and parking) + lunch at a pizzeria in Zabljak for 8€ .