July 10, 2018 - Over the weekend, Orjen mountain hosted the manifestation „Our Karst” (“Naš krš”), whose main task is to point out the natural and cultural significance of karst landscape and stone as a basic material of the traditional construction. Orjen merges Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia and the hiking educational tour through the central part of this massif was done in cooperation with the Department of the Border Police Herceg Novi. In this context, it is worth noting that for several years now, there is the possibility of an organized crossing of the state border outside the border crossing, with the previously submitted request, which is a great relief for the movement of the mountains that Montenegro share with other countries.
The central event of the manifestation was the 3rd Championship of Montenegro in stone-fence building without any other materials than stones. The competition was held in front of the mountain hut Orjen Sedlo which is located 1.600 meters above sea level, with participants from Herceg Novi and Tivat, as well as guests from Belarus, Russia, and Scotland. Each of the six registered teams had 15 minutes to build a fence up to 5 meters long, 1 meter tall and 60 centimeters wide. In the old Montenegro, this is exactly how neighbors marked the area of their properties between themselves – with nothing but stone walls.
The referee was Nikola Brajović from Mountain Club “Subra”, who last year was part of the winning team. First place was won by the Ilić family who truly presented an enviable skill in this, not so easy, “sport”. The competition rules stated that the team is made out of three people, of which one can be a non-Montenegrin. This resulted in lots of fun, sports spirit, good laughs and plenty of fun. All the participants received prizes, while the first three teams received diplomas, as well as the hand-made traditional food of the Herceg Novi’s NGO “Ruke”.
The championship is an example of how one ancient skill can be revived and connected with tourism, which is increasingly seeking excursions to nature, old and traditional. To make the story complete, after the competition and a joint lunch in the mountain home, a tasting of “mountain ice cream” under the open sky was organized. Forest raspberries and strawberries, sour cream and cave snow made it simple and natural, but also a very attractive gastro combination for the perfect refreshment.
