Kolasin

The history of Kolašin dates back to the middle of the 17th century. The city was founded by the Ottoman Turks approximately in 1651–1652 as a fortified military outpost. Initially, it was a fortress built to control strategically important paths through the mountain ranges and protect trade routes from raids by local tribes.

The transformation of a military fortress into a full-fledged settlement was due to its successful geographical location on the banks of the Tara River, surrounded by the high mountain ranges of Bjelasica and Sinjajevina. Natural protection, access to water, and a location at an altitude of 954 meters above sea level made this place ideal for an observation post. In addition, a busy caravan route passed through Kolašin, connecting Istanbul and the internal regions of the Balkans with the Adriatic coast.

In the first centuries, life in the settlement was focused around the garrison, and the economy was based on serving military needs. A major turning point was 1878, when, following the Congress of Berlin, the city officially became part of Montenegro. This event gave impetus to a change in the cultural landscape: the active development of traditional crafts, mountain farming, and architecture in the national style began.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1651–1652 — Ottoman commander Gazi Ali-bey founds a fortified settlement at the intersection of caravan routes.
• 1878 — Following the Congress of Berlin, Kolašin officially joins the Principality of Montenegro, ending the period of Ottoman rule.
• 1880s — Active reconstruction of the city begins: old wooden buildings are demolished, and a new square with European-style stone houses is formed.
• 1943 — The first session of the Land Anti-Fascist Council (ZAVNO) is held in the city, laying the foundations for post-war Montenegrin statehood.
• 1944 — Kolašin is finally liberated, followed by a period of peaceful restoration and industrialization.
• 1976 — The opening of the famous Belgrade-Bar railway connects the city with the coast and the capital, stimulating the influx of tourists.
• 2006 — After the restoration of Montenegro's independence, the region receives new investments for the development of mountain tourism.
• 2019 — The grand opening of the new state-owned ski center "Kolašin 1600" with modern cable cars takes place.
• 2022 — The commissioning of the priority section of the "Princess Xenia" motorway reduces the travel time from Podgorica to less than an hour.

The Formation of a Modern Appearance

Today's Kolašin is the result of an amazing transformation from a closed military fortification into a cozy European town. The urban planning reform of the late 19th century played a decisive role in this. After the departure of the Ottomans, the chaotic development was replaced by a clear plan: a central square was formed, around which stone buildings rose. It is this architectural heritage that creates the intimate and welcoming atmosphere of the center, so appreciated by modern tourists strolling through pedestrian zones after active recreation in the mountains.

The transport revolution had an equally strong impact on the rhythm of city life. While the Belgrade-Bar railway in the 1970s first connected the isolated mountain region with the sea, the opening of the modern "Princess Xenia" motorway literally brought Kolašin closer to the capital. Now the journey from Podgorica takes less than an hour, which has turned the city into a popular destination for spontaneous weekend trips and attracted major investors to the hotel sector.

The economic vector of the region also took a sharp turn, shifting the focus from the timber industry to winter tourism. The development of the slopes of Mount Bjelasica and the launch of modern ski centers made it possible to create a full-fledged cluster capable of competing with famous regional resorts. At the same time, the city carefully preserves its history: monuments from the mid-20th century serve as reminders that Kolašin was an important center of the anti-fascist movement, adding cultural depth to the image of a modern sports resort.

Architectural Face and Urban Planning

The architectural landscape of Kolašin is a unique blend of traditional mountain architecture, late 19th-century heritage, and bold Yugoslav modernism. The city's urban development changed dramatically after 1878: the chaotic layout of the Ottoman period gave way to an orderly European street grid, centered around the main town square. Due to harsh winters and heavy snowfall, a special building style historically formed here, where functionality dictated form.

Eras and Styles

• Traditional mountain architecture (19th–20th centuries): The dominant style for residential buildings. It is characterized by the use of local stone for the first floors and wood for the upper levels. A distinctive feature is the steep pitched roofs covered with shingles (wooden tiles), which prevent the accumulation of snow.
• Historicism and transitional style (late 19th century): After joining Montenegro, stone administrative and public buildings began to appear, leaning towards restrained European classicism, symbolizing the new statehood.
• Yugoslav modernism and brutalism (1970s): A period of active urbanization brought concrete, geometric shapes, and large-scale public structures to the city's appearance, contrasting with the natural landscape.
• Modern alpine style (21st century): The newest hotels and tourist complexes are built in imitation of chalets, using plenty of glass, untreated wood, and stone to blend harmoniously into the mountain environment.

Iconic Buildings

Despite its compact size, Kolašin has several sites that vividly illustrate its architectural history:

• Church of Saint Demetrius (1888): An example of religious architecture from the late 19th century. This single-nave stone building with a bell tower over the entrance, erected shortly after the city's liberation, became a symbol of a new era.
• Spomen-Dom (Memorial House): A unique example of concrete modernism and brutalism, designed by Slovenian architect Marko Mušič. Built in the 1970s, the building features complex geometry reminiscent of mountain peaks and is included in many international catalogs of socialist architectural heritage.
• Local History Museum: Located in one of the old stone buildings on the main square, it demonstrates the typical style of administrative development from the early 20th century, preserving the spirit of the old town.

Prominent Personalities of Kolašin

Kolašin and its surroundings have given history many bright names. Outstanding church hierarchs, legendary athletes, and political figures whose influence extended far beyond Montenegro were born here.

• Gavrilo Dožić (Patriarch Gavrilo V) (1881–1950) — Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church

  Born in the village of Vrujci (Lower Morača). One of the most influential church figures of the 20th century. Known for his uncompromising stance against Nazism: he openly spoke out against the pact with Nazi Germany in 1941, for which he was arrested and sent to the Dachau camp. After the war, he returned to leading the church, becoming a symbol of spiritual fortitude.

• Veljko Vlahović (1914–1975) — Politician, publicist, and revolutionary

  A native of the village of Trmanje. A prominent Yugoslav statesman, participant in the Spanish Civil War and the National Liberation Struggle. He played a key role in shaping Yugoslavia's foreign policy and education system. The university in Podgorica (now the University of Montenegro) was once named in his honor.

• Amfilohije (Radović) (1938–2020) — Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral

  Born in the village of Bare Radovića. An outstanding theologian and spiritual leader who played a decisive role in the revival of Orthodoxy in Montenegro after the breakup of Yugoslavia. Under his leadership, hundreds of churches and monasteries were restored and built, including the famous Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica.

• Milovan Jakšić (1909–1953) — Legendary football goalkeeper

  Born in Kolašin. He entered the history of world football as "El Grande Milovan" after a brilliant performance at the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay. His saves helped the Yugoslav national team reach the semi-finals, which became one of the main achievements in the history of Balkan football.

• Vlado Šćepanović (born 1975) — Basketball player, World and European champion

  A native of Kolašin who became a star of European basketball. He was the first captain of the national team of independent Montenegro. As part of the Yugoslav national team, he won gold at the World Championship (1998) and the European Championship (2001), bringing international sporting fame to his hometown.

• Slavko Labović (born 1962) — Theater and film actor

  Born in Kolašin, but built most of his career in Denmark. He gained wide recognition for his roles in the cult "Pusher" trilogy by director Nicolas Winding Refn, becoming a notable figure in European cinema.