ČRNA GORA IN MONTENEGRO
CRNA GORA AND MONTENEGRO

Summary/Abstract: Crna Gora is neither a big nor a rich country today. Its wealth can be found in its history, nature and culture. Like Slovenia, it has the sea and mountains and mostly architecture in stone, though also in wood. By the coast, there are mostly larger old towns, especially in Boka Kotorska, with dominant military architecture, made by specialists, who also built palaces and wealthy houses. Other towns inland grew over the course of history from small villages, with their own characters. Vernacular architecture in Montenegro is extremely rich in stone and wood. Wooden houses with steep roofs are typical of the mountain regions, in complexes with stables and drying huts. Transhumance was the basic economy in villages and in remote homesteads in Montenegro. Life on the mountains needs different buildings, inhabited only over the summer season. Typical transhumance is found in Prokletije and Durmitor, and an inverse type on Rumija mountain. Permanent huts are located in the high mountains, thatched in straw or with shingles; at Skadar Lake the straw is removed because of the wet winter season. What can be done with abandoned, decaying or destroyed architecture? The best solution is a return of the successful original economy, but life in the industrial centres is too comfortable. Governmental and specialist help is needed. Another solution is the organization of a modern digital museum, with the help of smart phones. This needs only good organization and, of course, the support and collaboration of the inhabitants. A virtual museum can connect culture with the economy, with high expectations. For this purpose, the awareness of the people and education by professionals is first needed. Crna Gora can become well-known in Europe as valued and economically efficient Montenegro.

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