Biogradska Gora

Coordinates: 42°53′53″N 19°36′07″E / 42.89806°N 19.60194°E / 42.89806; 19.60194
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Biogradska Gora National Park
Kolasin
Coordinates42°53′53″N 19°36′07″E / 42.89806°N 19.60194°E / 42.89806; 19.60194
Area54 km²
Established1952

Biogradska Gora (Montenegrin: Биоградска Гора, pronounced [bîoɡradskaː ɡǒra]) is a forest and a national park in Montenegro within the Kolašin municipality that is recognized as one of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.[1] The landscape is one of mountain ridges, glacial lakes, and temperate forest.[2]

Location

Biogradska Gora is located in the mountainous region of

Lim, and is surrounded by three municipalities: Kolašin, Berane and Mojkovac. It is the most northeasterly of the five national parks in Montenegro.[3]

Biogradska Gora National Park

Biogradsko lake
Walking path around the lake

The National Park is 54 km² in area. Basic elements of the Park are: untouched forest, large

Biogradsko Lake.[4]

Swift streams cut through scenery of Biogradska Gora, green pastures and clear lakes reflecting centennial forests. The Park is renowned as a unique

archeological localities. Numerous authentic buildings of traditional architecture are found throughout the pastures and villages next to the virgin forest reserve on the Bjelasica mountain range.[2]

Exploring the park

The park, between Mojkovac and Kolasin, is accessible by car via Highway E65 or by bus from Podgorica or Bijelo Polje. The park has developed infrastructure for tourists, including a visitors center, hiking trails, campsites, and a restaurant. Visitors have several options in addition to hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing and exploring some areas with their four-wheel drive vehicles. An open-air train takes tourists along a 3.5 km track from the entrance of the park to Lake Biograd where row boats and bicycles are available for rent. The visitor centre is nearby featuring traditional furniture from this region and a restaurant and lookout. Three other lookouts are available at higher elevations at various locations within the park: Crna Glava, Zekova Glava, and Bendovac. Used by shepherds as summer homes in the past, the wooden cottages or "katuns" along the trails can be rented for overnight stays for "traditional, rustic food and lifestyle", according to one source. Overnight camping is also allowed in the park.[5][6]

Ecology

Educational boards along the trail

Although it is the smallest of the five

insects
. Rainfall is extremely high in the area, averaging up to 100 inches per year, and allows the growth of temperate rainforest. One of the unique features of the park is its
European ash, and on the slopes beech and silver fir.[7]

This National Park is recognized as an Important Plant Area, an Important Fungus Area and an Important Bird Area by UNESCO, which also provides the following additional specifics:[8]

There is a great number of dynamic and complex eco-systems, high degree of refugial features of habitats as well as a considerable number of endemic and rare plant and animal species ... [the Park is] characterized by extraordinary specie and eco-system diversity that makes it the 'area of interest' and the centre of diversity of both flora and fauna of the Balkan Peninsula and Europe ... [and contains] one of the last European virgin forests [of 16 sq km].

History of the Park

Biogradsko lake

When Kolašin was liberated from Turkish rule in 1878, people from the Morača and Rovca presented a part of the forest to King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro. This forest was known as "Branik Kralja Nikole" and was protected.[9]

Biogradska Gora was proclaimed a National Park in 1952. International protection (via UNESCO) was added in 1977 as part of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).

Open to visitors for a modest charge, it is popular in the summer for tourists seeking a cooler environment than the coast.[1][10]

Historical events

Nearby the National Park, a battle occurred with forces of the

partisans in World War II
. For years back, shepherds used rich pasture in this region for grazing sheep and cattle.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "National Park Biogradska gora". Montenegro Travel. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "NACIONALNI PARK BIOGRADSKA GORA (Official Park Site, in Montenegrin". Nacionalni parkovi Crne Gore. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  3. ^ "National Parks of Montenegro". VisitMontenegro. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  4. ^ Exploring Biogradska Gora National Park in Montenegro
  5. ^ Visitor's Guide to Biogradska Gora National Park
  6. ^ Best Places to Stay Near Biogradska Gora National Park
  7. ^ "NACIONALNI PARK BIOGRADSKA GORA - Flora and Fauna, in Montenegrin". Nacionalni parkovi Crne Gore. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  8. ^ ’Biogradska gora’ National Park Justification of Value
  9. ^ National Park Biogradska Gora
  10. ^ ’Biogradska gora’ National Park Statements of authenticity and/or integrity

External links

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