Activists and nature lovers, led by Zeljko Starcevic, continued to arrange the Kotobilj spring, which is located on an ancient pedestrian route connecting Herceg Novi with the hinterland.
In the storm that occurred in Herceg Novi in early December last year, this area was also damaged - it was covered with large amounts of mud that were deposited from the floods and the vegetation was destroyed.
"We have now set up semi-pipes for draining rainwater with the support of “Water supply and sewage system”, and at the end of winter, the “Utility housing service” cleaned the floods from the basin, after which the volunteers built a stone wall around the plateau as a protection from the torrents”, said Starcevic adding that the plateau was expanded with the furniture and re-planted rosemary.
This site is located near the place where Kotobilj Battle took place, and although there is still no memorial, Starcevic hopes it will be placed exactly on the resort area which is being restored.
The spring was arranged in 1884, at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, when the stone benches and water troughs were installed.
It was seriously damaged one century later when it was buried with waste material from the then local quarry. Then in 2002, it was again restored by volunteers, specifically by the members of PK "Subra", so that in 2006, when breaking a new route to Trebinje, it was cut off from this communication and the old pedestrian road to Kameno. Through the large water drain under a new road, a walkway has been made, and the stairs are completed in the extension. The space was completed in 2016 through the project "Developing Low Carbonic Tourism in Montenegro" and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Kotobilj Battle – On September 15th, 1687, commenced the liberation of Herceg Novi from the long-lasting power of the Ottoman Empire.
The army made up of Herzegovinians, Montenegrins, Venetians, Kotor police and local insurgents, surprised and defeated the Army of Hussein Topal Pasa, thus preventing it from gaining strength in the Turkish army in Herceg Novi.
Fifteen days later, Herceg Novi was liberated.
Kotobilj is a place of special importance for citizens of Herceg Novi, and it is also found in Njegos's piece "Mountain Wreath".
Text by Slavica Kosic, on May 3rd 2019, read more at Vijesti
