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ONE PLANT YOU CAN ONLY SEE ON THE MAGNIFICENT ORJEN

Orjen - the tallest Dinaric mountain alongside the Adriatic Sea, rises steeply above the Bay of Kotor at the tripoint of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. With six peaks towering over 1800 meters high, it offers breathtaking vistas of the sea, islands, and distant mountain ranges. Despite being the wettest region in Europe, due to its extremely rugged glacial relief, the mountain is entirely devoid of surface water.

ONE PLANT YOU CAN ONLY SEE ON THE MAGNIFICENT ORJEN

Renowned for its exceptional natural beauty and numerous endemic species, Orjen is legally protected and holds the status of a Nature Park. It has been a favorite destination for mountaineers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts for over a century.

They've climbed all its peaks, explored numerous caves and chasms, discovered unusual plant and animal species, but only a few fortunate souls have encountered the mysterious beauty.

Its name is Iris orjenii, or the Orjen Iris.

It's a true mountain jewel, a marvel of nature. Though somewhat resembling some of its relatives, this beautiful and rare iris is considered endemic only to Mount Orjen. It cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Recognizable by its large white flowers with six petals and golden-yellow stripes, it stands out with its extraordinary beauty and grace amidst the gray and rugged Dinaric karst.

The first part of its name, "Orjen," was given after Mount Orjen, where it was first discovered and described by scientists Dr. Kristijan Bräuchler and Pavle Čikovac in 2007.

The second part of its name, this unique plant carries after the Old Slavic god - Perun, the god of thunder. And not by chance. It grows very high in the mountain. Just beneath the sharp peaks - where mighty lightning grinds angry stone beneath, stormy winds lash, and winters bury it under heavy snow. Yet, it withstands all, seemingly so delicate, yet so strong.

A flower above the clouds. Above everything.

And with the arrival of summer, the beauty spreads its graceful flowers and enjoys the view of the open sea, bathed in sunlight and breezes carrying the scent of sea salt. Due to its exceptional rarity and beauty, the Orjen Iris has become a symbol of the Orjen massif among local mountaineers, and its flower adorns the official emblem of the mountaineering society "Vučji Zub" from Trebinje.

This society marks, labels, and maintains numerous hiking trails, taking care of the preservation of nature and the arrangement of the Orjen Nature Park.

If after this intriguing story you wish to treat yourself to an active vacation and visit the Orjen Nature Park, don't miss the opportunity to see this, as well as the numerous other attractions this incredible mountain offers. And experienced hiking guides from the active tourism agency HERZ Adventures will gladly take you on unforgettable adventures. Because, there's only one life. Live it!

By: Slavenko Vukasović / Photo: Pavle Čikovac