MEET THE MONTENEGRIN OLYMPUS

If you’ve ever wondered whether Montenegro has a sacred place of its own—the answer is a resounding yes! According to the Tourism Organization of Žabljak, there’s no doubt: it is the majestic Durmitor Mountain, a towering wonder that eclipses all other peaks in Montenegro and the surrounding region with its sheer beauty and allure.

PHOTO: Pixabay

Shrouded in mystery, Durmitor is woven into a rich tapestry of myths and legends. Some say the gods of Olympus once chose Durmitor as their retreat and resting place. Ancient Greeks are known to have lived in this region, and perhaps it was they who saw in Durmitor a second Olympus—a divine sanctuary standing watch over the land below.

Guarding the mountain alongside the gods are winged horses and woodland fairies, hidden deep within Durmitor’s folds. Over the centuries, stories have flourished: of peaks, caves, enchanted lakes, and heroic outlaws from places like Pirlitor, Pašina Voda, and Bukovička Gora.

One of the most chilling tales explains how Devil’s Lake (Vražije Jezero) earned its name. Once a dense pine forest, the area was struck by lightning and burned. The fire drove the wild beasts into the mountain, the fairies into the clouds, and the devils took refuge in the center of the lake. They built a shimmering ice palace there, where they remain to this day. The lake’s icy waters are said to spread a numbing chill from that very lair.

Legend says that when a young woman swims across the lake, the devil himself emerges to snatch her into the depths. If a young man dares to take the plunge, a female demon does the same. On dark evenings, locals say they’ve seen the devil roam the shores—sometimes as a fiery stallion, other times as a fearsome bull with thunderous roars.

The struggle between good and evil plays out in celestial battles too.

When Saint Elijah charged across the heavens in his golden chariot, all creation trembled—except the devil, who mocked him. Frustrated, the saint called upon the lakes to destroy the devil, but they refused. Ognjena Marija (Holy Mary of Fire) tried to burn him out, but the devil always found refuge in the lakes.

And then there’s the legend of the red-winged horse who emerged from the lake by night to seduce the mares of the famed Duke Momčilo's stables. After their tryst, he would kick them to avoid bearing offspring—until one night, shepherds captured a mare before he could return. That mare gave birth to Jabučilo, the winged horse of legend, ridden by Duke Momčilo from Durmitor to the fortress of Pirlitor.

The fairies of Durmitor, too, are known to descend upon the mountain meadows at dusk. They dance under the stars, enchanting only the most honorable young men—but with one strict rule: carry nothing made of iron. A young man named Todor forgot this, bringing a small iron item with him. The fairies cast him into a deep sleep in a mountain hollow, now known as Todorov Do, where he sleeps forever.

Along ancient caravan routes between the coast and the north lies Bukovička Gora, where even Marko Kraljević passed on his way to visit his uncle, Duke Momčilo. There, he lost his dog to a gunshot, and in despair exclaimed, “As the gun was born, the hero perished!” In memory, he struck a massive boulder with his sword, splitting it—a mark that still remains.

Perhaps the most haunting tale of all is that of Black Lake (Crno Jezero). Long ago, a monastery stood where the lake lies today. When Saint Sava stayed there, the monks, doubting his sanctity, tricked him by planting a dead rooster in his bag. When they accused him of theft, the saint, insulted, cursed the ground: “May the earth open and your monastery be no more!” At that moment, the land collapsed, and a lake formed in its place. Only a black monk’s cap remained, floating on the water’s surface.

So, when you visit the mountain where gods rest, and hear the fairies’ song at dusk or see a shadow flit across Black Lake, remember these legends. They are stories passed through generations… but are they just stories?

Source: eKapija