Lovcen is a mountain and one of Montenegrin national parks. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, close to the sea coast, and covers an area of 62.2 hectares. There are many monuments of national architecture on the territory.
Mount Lovcen and the valley around it are included in a protected zone. There is a successful combination of mountain and sea climate there. Clean air with healing properties can be breathed in this area. There are 1158 plant species growing on Lovcen. The temperature here is always 10-15 degrees lower than by the sea.
The Jezerska peak in Lovcen National Park offers a beautiful view of the biggest part of Montenegro. You can see Lake Skadar, the Bay of Kotor and mountain peaks from there. It is therefore one of the favourite destinations of both locals and tourists. There is a saying that to come to Montenegro on holiday and not to visit the viewing platform at Mt Jerezerska in Lovcen is the same as not to see Montenegro at all.
A beloved and revered ruler of Montenegro, Petar II Njegos, asked in his will to be buried on Mt Jezerska in a small chapel. During World War I it was destroyed by the Austrians, then on a rebuilt chapel the Italians dropped a bomb in 1942. In 1952 it was decided to build a mausoleum. The mausoleum construction was finished in 1974. It is now one of the most visited places in the country.
The mountain slope is a serpentine which leads to this important for all Montenegrins place. In front of Njegos mausoleum there is a car park. The travelers will have to climb the stairs with 461 steps. Next to the entrance you will see two caryatids in national Serbian clothes.