The abandoned village of Stoliv in Montenegro, where the culture of the country has been preserved

Montenegro has recently become the center of tourism of the Balkan Peninsula. For a long time, the local population was engaged in fishing, growing crops, olives, and animal husbandry. After the opening of the country’s resorts, small villages began to empty. But here you can learn about the life of the population, for example, by visiting Stoliv in Montenegro, which is located in the Bay of Kotor.

Village history

The exact date of the appearance of the city is unknown. In the 17th century, the inhabitants of rich Perast, located on the other side of the Bay of Kotor, did not want to marry their daughters to poor fishermen. Therefore, the latter decided to plant one hundred olives (Hundred Olives) to make the area look richer. The processing of these fruits and the production of olive oil have become the main income of the inhabitants of Stoliv in Montenegro.

Most often in the history of the country, the village is mentioned as a center for the production of olive oil. The convenient location in the Bay of Kotor allowed the villagers to sell products throughout Montenegro. Gradually, the village grew, a second, marine part appeared. Its inhabitants were engaged in fishing.

What you need to know about the history of the country’s attractions:

• in the 19th century, Stoliv became a large settlement in Montenegro;
• during the First World War, its infrastructure was almost not damaged;during the entry of Montenegro into Yugoslavia, the development of the village was almost not observed;
• in 1976 there was a powerful earthquake, which partially destroyed the settlement.

The mountain part is located at an altitude of 240 m. Here, in addition to abandoned houses and workshops, there are several churches, a convenient observation deck. In the reviews of tourists, it is often mentioned that you can take beautiful panoramic photos of the bay on it.

Infrastructure

The village is divided into 2 parts – Gorny and Donji. In the first one, no one lives now, there are still houses and some equipment for obtaining olive oil. This area has become an attraction for tourists and independent travelers. Group and individual excursions are often organized here.

Infrastructure of Donji Stoliv in Montenegro, useful information for vacationers:

• up to 350 permanent residents;
• there are small cafes, restaurants;
• there is a post office;
• there is a beach nearby;
• passes the central highway.

In the sea part of the village you can organize a relaxing family vacation. Here you can rent apartments or small villas. There is little entertainment for adults and children; for outdoor activities, you can go to Kotor or Herceg Novi. At the local pier, boats and boats are hired for boat trips.

How to get there

You can get to Stoliv from the international airport Tivat or Kotor. The distance to the resort from these cities is 9 km. Bus routes do not go here, so you can get to the sights by taxi or by renting a car. The latter method is convenient for independent travelers who want to see all the interesting places in Montenegro. If you plan to stay at the resort for several days, you need to book a villa or apartment in advance.

Tips for planning an independent trip to Stoliv in Montenegro:

• the cost of renting a car from 20 Euro per day;
• you need to hire a taxi only from official services, private traders set too high fares;
• taxi fare from Tivat or Kotor – from 15 Euro.

There is a highway near Stoliv. Buses run from Tivat to Herceg Novi. You can get from the airport for 1 Euro to the central bus station, here you can buy a ticket to the nearest village to the resort.

Local Attractions

Before visiting the village, it is recommended to study the sights of Stoliv, their location on the map of Montenegro. In the Donji area, you can organize a temporary base for living. According to tourists, there are shops here, a sea holiday on a small beach is possible. For catering, you can choose one of the local restaurants or bars. It serves Montenegrin cuisine or a traditional European menu.

Before climbing into the mountainous part, it is recommended to take a small supply of food and water with you. You can organize a picnic in this area. The photo of the tourists shows that next to the abandoned houses and buildings there are convenient areas with grass, located under the shadows of the trees.

What is recommended to see in Stoliv, Montenegro, a list of local attractions:

• Observation platform. It is located on the edge of an abandoned part of the village, at a height of 40 meters. A person can see the entire Bay of Kotor, take beautiful photos.
• Olive garden. Most of the trees are abandoned, but some ripe olives can be picked in early autumn. Gardens are located throughout the village.
• Churches of St. Basil, Anna and Elijah. These are small old buildings, the first one works. You can go inside, look at the paintings, icons.

Excursions to Stoliv are organized relatively rarely. The cost of visiting as part of a group is from 15 Euro. The program includes an inspection of the upper part of the village, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide. Lunch is available at a local restaurant. This needs to be specified in advance.

Travel Tips

The beaches in Stoliv are small, most of the surface is pebbly with sand content. There are concreted areas at the local pier. There are umbrellas, sun loungers and deck chairs. Rental price – from 3 Euro. You can sunbathe on a beach towel. The entrance to the Adriatic Sea is gentle, safe for children. The disadvantage is that there are no medical and rescue services on the beaches.

The weather in Stoliv is typical Montenegrin, you can plan a vacation from mid-May to the end of September. There is relatively little rainfall, many sunny days a year. The water temperature in the sea in August rises to +23°C. It is recommended to take special shoes with you to the beach.