Pluzine

Origins and the "Second Birth"

The history of Plužine is unique and differs from most of Montenegro's ancient towns. Although people have inhabited the picturesque Piva region since antiquity (Illyrians, Romans, and Slavic tribes lived here), the modern appearance of the city is the result of a large-scale 20th-century engineering project.

The old settlement of Plužine was located lower in the valley, right by the riverbed. The turning point came in 1975, when the old town was flooded by the waters of the artificial Lake Piva during the construction of the Mratinje hydroelectric power plant. Today's Plužine was rebuilt on higher ground, becoming the youngest municipal center in the region.

Key Factors of Formation

The formation of Plužine as an important settlement was determined by several factors, combining natural conditions and human will:

• Geography and Terrain: The deep canyon of the Piva River and the surrounding mountain ranges (Durmitor, Volujak) served as natural protection for centuries but also isolated the region, preserving its authenticity.
• Spiritual Center: The Piva Monastery (16th century) serves as an anchor for historical memory. Remarkably, during the creation of the reservoir, this monumental temple was dismantled stone by stone and moved to a new, higher location. This process took 12 years to complete.
• Energy: It was the construction of the dam, one of the highest in Europe (220 meters), that transformed the small mountain settlement into a strategically important center for energy and, subsequently, tourism.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Before industrialization and the flooding of the valley, life in "old" Plužine and its surroundings was governed by the harsh laws of the mountains. The foundation of the economy was traditionally transhumance and modest farming on rare fertile patches near the river.

Local culture was formed within a clan system (the Piva tribe). The residents were famous for their love of freedom and participation in liberation movements. Today's Plužine, situated on the shores of a turquoise lake, preserves the memory of the flooded valley, combining the history of an ancient monastery with the rhythm of a modern tourist town.

Key Milestones in History

• 15th Century — The Piva region is governed by Duke Stefan Vukčić Kosača, as part of medieval Herzegovina.
• 1476 — The territory finally falls under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which determines its development for several centuries to come.
• 1573–1586 — Construction of the Piva Monastery, which became the main spiritual and cultural center for the local population.
• 1878 — Following the Congress of Berlin, Plužine and the surrounding lands officially become part of the independent Principality of Montenegro.
• 1970 — Commencement of a unique engineering operation to relocate the ancient Piva Monastery to a higher location to save it from the upcoming flooding.
• 1975 — Completion of the Mratinje Dam and the creation of the Piva Reservoir, whose waters submerged the old settlement of Plužine.
• 1976 — The new, modern town of Plužine begins to function fully as an administrative center on the shores of the newly formed lake.
• 1982 — Successful completion of twelve years of work on the full reconstruction of the relocated Piva Monastery at its new site in the village of Sinjac.
• 2010s — Active development of tourism infrastructure, transforming the city into a recognized center for rafting and eco-tourism in the region.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Plužine is a clear example of how large-scale projects can radically change the fate of a small settlement. The key milestones of the city's development are linked not so much to political events as to the human struggle to master the mountain wilderness.

• Traditional Agrarian Way of Life. For centuries, the basis of life here was transhumance (seasonal livestock farming) and subsistence agriculture. This formed the region's unique gastronomic traditions (the production of cheeses and kajmak), which have now become an important part of the tourism offering.
• Energy Industrialization (1970s). The construction of the Mratinje Dam marked an economic revolution. From a remote agricultural area, Plužine transformed into a strategic energy hub, providing electricity to a significant part of Montenegro.
• Total Urban Relocation. The flooding of the old town required the construction of a new center from scratch. This gave Plužine an advantage over many older towns: it gained a well-thought-out layout, modern communications, and capital construction designed by architects rather than evolving spontaneously.
• Cultural Feat (Relocation of the Monastery). A unique operation to move the Piva Monastery stone by stone allowed for the preservation of historical continuity. Thanks to this, the new city, despite its youth, retained its status as the spiritual center of the Piva region.
• Transport Breakthrough. The construction of a complex road through the Piva Canyon (through numerous man-made tunnels) brought the region out of geographical isolation. The city became an important transit point on the way to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Tourism Renaissance (21st Century). In recent decades, the city has reimagined its location by the water. The development of rafting on the Tara River and cruises on Lake Piva has turned Plužine into one of the main centers for active recreation in the north of the country.

An Urban Phenomenon: A City Born Again

The architectural appearance of Plužine is fundamentally different from the ancient coastal towns of Montenegro. Here, you won't find tangled medieval streets or Venetian palazzos. Plužine is a rare example of planned urban development from the second half of the 20th century. The city was designed and built "from scratch" in the 1970s, after the old settlement was submerged during the creation of a reservoir.

The urban layout resembles an amphitheater: residential and administrative buildings are situated on terraces descending to the shores of Lake Piva. This provides panoramic views from almost any point in the city and creates a sense of spaciousness and order.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Despite the city's youth, several contrasting eras and styles intertwine in its appearance and surroundings:

• Medieval Architecture (16th Century): Represented by the Piva Monastery. Although the city itself is new, this temple was carefully moved here from the flooded valley. It is a classic example of church architecture of that time: an austere stone facade, a lack of external decoration (so as not to attract the attention of the Ottoman authorities), and a rich interior adorned with frescoes.
• Yugoslav Modernism and Functionalism (1970s): The primary style of the city's residential buildings. The structures are characterized by concise forms, practicality, and the use of concrete and brick. This is architecture designed to provide comfort for hydroelectric power plant workers and resettled residents: mid-rise apartment buildings with wide loggias.
• Industrial Architecture (1970s): The monumental Mratinje Dam and the arched bridges across the canyon have become an integral part of the landscape. These structures impress with their scale and engineering aesthetics, demonstrating the triumph of human ingenuity over the mountainous terrain.
• Modern Rustic (21st Century): With the development of tourism, ethno-villages have begun to appear in the city's surroundings. They are characterized by the use of natural wood and stone, mimicking traditional shepherd huts and chalets, which harmoniously fits them into the natural landscape.

Iconic Structures

The look of Plužine is shaped by several key objects reflecting its history and purpose:

• Piva Monastery (Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary): The main historical landmark. A unique example of an engineering feat to preserve cultural heritage—the temple was dismantled and restored in a new location, stone by stone.
• Mratinje Dam: One of the highest structures in Europe (220 meters). Its concrete arc is not only an industrial site but also an impressive architectural accent within the narrow canyon.
• City Embankment and Pier: A modern area connecting the residential part of the city with the lake's waters, which has become the center of tourist life.

Outstanding Personalities of the Piva Region

Even though the modern city of Plužine is relatively young, the historical region of Piva, of which it is the center, has given the world many significant figures. These include military leaders, spiritual icons, and cultural figures whose names are inextricably linked with the history of the region.

• Bajo Pivljanin (Nikolić) (17th Century)
  Haiduk, National Hero
  The legendary leader of the haiduks and a symbol of resistance. Born in the village of Rudinice (Piva region). His exploits are celebrated in folk epics, and he is considered one of the most famous heroes of Montenegro and Herzegovina from that era.
• Lazar Sočica (1838–1910)
  Voyvoda, Political Figure, Philanthropist
  The most significant political figure in the region during the 19th century. He was one of the leaders of the Herzegovina Uprising. In Plužine, his fortified estate (The Tower of Lazar Sočica) has been preserved and now serves as a historical monument and museum.
• Savatije Sokolović (16th Century)
  Serbian Patriarch, Founder of the Monastery
  An outstanding church figure thanks to whom the Piva Monastery—the main sanctuary of the region—was built. It was on his initiative and with his funds that this monumental temple was erected, later relocated during the construction of the dam.
• Stojan Čupić ("The Dragon of Noćaj") (1765–1815)
  Military Commander, Hero of the First Serbian Uprising
  Born in Piva before moving to Serbia. He became famous for his bravery and strategic talent in the battles for independence. He is an important figure in Balkan history, linking the region with a wider liberation movement.
• Kosta Radović (1936–2019)
  Poet, Prose Writer, Teacher
  A famous Montenegrin writer born near the Piva Monastery (his father was a priest). In his work, he immortalized the drama of the flooding of old Plužine and the Piva River valley, preserving the memory of the world that went underwater in his literary works.
• Obren Blagojević (1912–2001)
  Academic, Economist, Legal Scholar
  A native of the region who became a prominent scientist and a member of the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts. He made significant contributions to the development of economic science and the study of the history of Montenegrin law.