From the ArchivesCreated April 10, 2004Updated August 16, 20262 min readby Gordan Stojović
Although I spent most of my life in Herceg Novi and I consider myself one of those who try to be as much as possible and better informed about the history and present of everything that surrounds us in
Although I spent most of my life in Herceg Novi and I consider myself one of those who try to be as much as possible and better informed about the history and present of everything that surrounds us in this beautiful city and its surroundings, I only heard about Ilinica a few years ago.
I had the opportunity during February 2003 when I had the honor to visit that place with Mr. Sava Zarubica, otherwise the president of the local community of Igalo; a great enthusiast whose desire is to arrange this historical location and turn it into a unique attraction in this region. "I want to interest as many people as possible in Ilinica," said Savo, "so that this place is visited by as many people as possible, as well as to attract the help of our emigrants in the planned actions to restore the road, church, borders and approaches." ...a unique monument was built to the French soldiers who died in that area in 1806 during the Napoleonic conquests, erected in 1919. In addition to these two unique monuments, the place is one of the rare locations with a view of the entire Boka on one side, and of Konavle in R Croatia on the other. Fascinated by the truly unique view and unforgettable experience of Boka, unknown even to me, we boarded the off-road Lada and went down the hard-to-reach road first to nearby Žvinje, Njivica and finally to Igalo. After my first visit to Ilinica, very often while walking the streets of my city or driving a car, I turn my head upwards and look at it with the desire to return to it as soon as possible and experience it again. Gordan Stojovic Montenegro.com
Getting up to Ilinica
Where it is. Ilinica rises behind Herceg Novi, part of the slope that climbs from the bay towards the Orjen massif. It is close enough to the town to be a half-day outing, and far enough up that the view takes in the whole entrance to the bay.
The walk. The approach is on tracks and old paths through macchia and above the treeline, steady rather than technical, but exposed and rough underfoot in places. Ordinary trainers are not enough; take boots, water and a hat.
When to go. Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer on this slope is punishing by mid-morning, and winter can bring cloud down onto the ridge. Go with someone who knows the ground if you can — the paths are not consistently waymarked, which is part of why the hill stayed unknown even to locals for so long.
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Written by
Gordan Stojović
Gordan Stojović is a Montenegrin politician, writer and publicist, and a member of the Parliament of Montenegro (Skupština). A specialist in the history of Montenegrin emigration, he is the author of several books on the diaspora in South America — among them "Crnogorci u Argentini" and "Crnogorci u Južnoj Americi" — and served as Montenegro's ambassador to Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay (2014–2019). For Montenegro.com he writes about Montenegrins across the Americas and the stories of the old diaspora.
