If you came to Montenegro on your own and rented a car, then our advice to you: be sure to go to the old serpentine, called by the Italians Cattaro Stairs (as the Italians call Kotor), which leads to the ancient Montenegrin capital, the city of Cetinje. The Cattaro staircase got its name because of the steepness of the descents and ascents and the height to which it rises - along this road you can climb to a height of 1500 meters above sea level, where the Negoshev Mausoleum is located.

This view of Kotor and the bay opens after a couple of turns along the serpentine

If you are in Kotor, head towards the exit from the city to the Vrmac tunnel. Before reaching the Vrmac tunnel, there will be a fork and your turn to the right, the yellow sign will say Cetinje. From this point, the road will start to climb into the mountains, with each turn opening up new and more and more breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor and Mount Lovcen. Drive straight all the time and pay attention to the signs, and you will not go astray. The Cattaro staircase itself has 25 sharp turns, which are marked on the barriers. If you don’t stop for photo pauses (which will be very difficult to do, and it’s not necessary!), Then you will reach the village of Negushi in 40-50 minutes. Drive carefully, in some areas it is difficult for two cars to pass.

On the way we came across a mountain spring - the locals say that the water here is the purest, very good for drinking. We hurried to collect it in empty bottles!

At the crossroads to Negushi there will be a local tavern where you can take a breath and taste Negush prshut and other Montenegrin delicacies. It will be straight to Negushi and Cetinje, and to the right is the road to the Lovcen National Reserve, on one of the peaks of which the great ruler and spiritual leader of Montenegro, Petr Petrovich Negosh, is buried. Petr Negosh bequeathed to bury himself on this peak, where a chapel was erected for this, which was later destroyed by the communists during Yugoslav times, who replaced it with a typical mausoleum, where the remains of the forefather of the Montenegrin people were transferred. This Mausoleum is now located there, the entrance ticket costs 3 euros per person. From the top, a magnificent panoramic view opens up, perhaps, of the whole of Montenegro - the Bay of Kotor, the Lovcen Nature Reserve, immersed in the clouds, and even Skadar Lake!

Bay of Kotor in the evening

Sit down and enjoy the view! Yesterday we took friends to the mausoleum, although we were a little late - we arrived at 18.30, and the mausoleum was open until 18.00. The snow has not melted at the top yet – at the end of May! Everyone was very excited about the trip, despite the fact that we did not manage to get inside the mausoleum. Scenic views, cleanest mountain air, great company, a bottle of Vranac and cevapi, previously purchased in the "mesar" in Kotor - what else do you need for happiness!?

And, of course, if you do not decide on this courageous event yourself, we will be happy to organize an unforgettable excursion to the Cattaro stairs and the Negoshev mausoleum for you!

This tunnel leads to the Mausoleum of Negoshev
You can climb the mountain by hiking trails - here is a signpost for hikers and mountain bikers. You can walk to Negushi in 2.5 hours.
Mountain vegetation 🙂 where without it 🙂

We will perpetuate our name on a snowdrift! 

Sunset on the Bay of Kotor