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.
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