Rijeka Crnojevića lies very near the Skadar Lake coast in Montenegro. This small town sits beside the Crnojević River. Rijeka Crnojevića is a town rich in history, part of the ancient trading route that has run through Montenegro for centuries. Along the lake, visitors can see old architecture that has stood the test of time, remaining intact since trader days.
The village is part of the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje. In 1478, the Ottomans captured Žabljak Crnojevića after defeating Ivan Crnojević’s army. Ivan then moved his official seat to Obod, which was renamed Rijeka Crnojevića.
When Montenegro was under Cetinje rule, royals fled to Rijeka Crnojevića to escape the harsh winters of the Black Mountain. Visitors can still see the remains of the house of Vladika Petar I Petrović (St Peter of Cetinje), which featured arches on the ground floor with upper rooms that stuck out over the road.
Getting to Rijeka Crnojevića is not difficult. Many simply take a bus from Budva to Podgorica. On the route, drivers will stop along the road for those wishing to visit the village of Rijeka Crnojevića. There are also direct bus routes that run from the village to Podgorica, though these are not regular.
The area around the village is filled with flora and fauna, and sights to behold. The ancient trade route still stands, although often covered with wildlife. There is also an ancient bridge, once used for the trade route, and many abandoned fortresses along the path to and from the village.
Rijeka Crnojevića bridge is a very popular attraction. A double-arched limestone creation, the bridge is more than 40 meters in length. Also known as Danilo’s Bridge, is spans over the Crnojević River, and is an important historical monument for the region. Built in the 1850’s, the bridge was erected in the memory of Prince Danilo of Montenegro’s father, Stanko Petrović. Danilo also built a small house, known as Mostina, on one side of the river, right next to the bridge. The bridge, at that time, replaced a wooden bridge that was originally built by Danilo’s predecessor, Petar II Petrović-Njegoš.
Stari Most is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Montenegro. Situated on the riverside promenade, Stari Most has an excellent view of the bridge and serves up fish and fish soup that are major tourist favorites.
The small village serves as a starting point for a circular walking track that is 7/6 km long. The track runs through the Obod ruins, which is also where the first printing press of the region was located. The 2 hour track also passes by Obod Cave by the river.
Area attractions include hiking, swimming, and sightseeing. Camping is very popular in the area, although there is a relatively large hotel close to the village. There are also many places to set up tents and enjoy camping in the great outdoors.
Many enjoy hiking to Virpazar from the village, which can take 2 days and is often reserved for those more seasoned hikers. On the river, a canoe can prove to be very relaxing, and canoes can be rented locally, as can boat tours of the area.