Located between Kotor and Cetinje sits Njeguši. This quaint little mountain village is part of the old territory, and was the birthplace of rules from the Petrovic Dynasty, rulers of the area from 1696 until 1918.
During Turkish rule, the village served as a traffic port between Europe and the remainder of the world. The location of the village made it an important area during the Turk reign. Traffic from Kotor to Cetinje during this time was only viable through the village. There is still a restaurant “Kod Pera na Bukovicu”, that was built over 130 years ago, and still offers delicious local cuisine such as smoked ham and cheese.
The road that currently runs between Kotor and Njeguši was built during the latter part of the 19th century. Once better roads leading into and out of Cetinje were built, the village seemed of little importance to the rest of the world, although it is today a thriving reminder of days gone by. The village itself is located inside the Lovćen National Park, on the slopes of Mount Lovćen.
Traditional folk architecture is abundant throughout Njeguši, and one of its largest attractions for tourists. Local forms of prosciutto (Njeguški pršut) and cheese (Njeguški sir) are very popular to tourists and locals alike. These traditional fares are created in the village exclusively, along with grape brandy that also draws tourists from time-to-time. Visitors will find many roadside stalls that sell the ham and cheese, as well as fruit brandy and honey. Handmade souvenirs are also readily available.
The picturesque village is a favorite stopping point for many travelers to Montenegro, and boasts an altitude of 900m, with a breathtaking view of the sea below the mountain’s peak. It is nearly untouched by modern civilization, having no industry, and simply sits as it has for centuries, nestled by the mountains.
The road itself serves as an attraction for most, winding its way from Kotor to the village, and hosting more than 25 curves on the 25 km roadway. Temperatures in the summer make the village a very popular stopping point, as they tend to be much lower in Njeguši than in other coastal towns. The view of the coast is a main attraction, and on a clear day, the coast of Italy can be spotted from atop the mountain.
Most who visit the area seek accommodations in Kotor or nearby villages, as Njeguši is a small village with little to offer, outside of the cuisine and scenery. It is just a short ride to Kotor however, and visitors can fill their days with hiking, picture-taking, or simply breathing in the fresh mountain air and gazing at the sea below the peak.
Around the village, there are still smaller settlements that were formed centuries ago. One of the peculiarities of the area is its many churches. Though only a handful of local inhabitants, the village boasts 15 churches. There were 17 in total until WWII. The churches include Saint Archangel Mihailo, Saint Đorđe, Saint Jovan, Saint Lady, Saint Nikola, Saint Petka, Saint Prophet Jeremija, Saint Sava, Saint Sunday, Saint Transfiguration, and Saint Vrač.