Pljevlja: Monastic History, Museum and Ljubišnja
Accommodation in Pljevlja
Pljevlja combines centuries of religious and urban history with mountain landscapes. Its attractions range from an archaeological site and a mosque with an ornately decorated Quran to marked hiking and cycling routes on Ljubišnja. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether cultural history, hiking or cycling will be the focus of your trip.
Archaeology, Mosque and Monasteries
The archaeological site of Municipium S. in Komini, near Pljevlja, comprises the remains of an ancient city and two necropolises. The Church of St Nicholas at Dubočica Monastery was built and painted in 1565. Four years later, the Husein-Pašina-Džamija was built to plans by the master builder Hajrudin, who also built the famous bridge in Mostar. The mosque preserves a 16th-century Quran, written in Arabic script and decorated with gilded miniatures.
The monument erected on Stražica in 1961 is dedicated to those killed in the Battle of Pljevlja and to fallen fighters from the municipality. It also commemorates unknown fighters from various parts of Yugoslavia who died in the municipality of Pljevlja during the National Liberation War.
Museum and Historical Records
The Pljevlja Local History Museum was founded in 1952 and holds a collection of nearly 5,000 museum objects. The collection makes it possible to trace human settlement in the Pljevlja area almost continuously back to more than 40,000 years ago. The museum therefore offers a broad historical perspective for exploring the area’s past.
The earliest known written mention of the Sveta Trojica Monastery dates to 1537. It was an important religious, educational, cultural and national centre for the Orthodox population of Stara Raška, Polimlje and Potarje. Its treasury contains icons, liturgical objects, goldsmiths’ work, church embroidery, furnishings and documents. Dovolja Monastery is first mentioned in 1513; this is taken to mean that it was built as early as the 15th century.
Ljubišnja, Trails and Nature
The highest peak on Ljubišnja, Dernjačište, is 2,238 metres high. Ljubišnja is fully marked for hiking and mountain biking. Around a hundred bird species live on the mountain, including the European honey buzzard, capercaillie, hazel grouse, wood pigeon, great spotted woodpecker and golden eagle. The Tara Canyon is also part of the hiking opportunities in Pljevlja.
For cyclists, eleven marked cycling routes with a total length of 270 kilometres are mapped in the rural area of Pljevlja. The Vodice city park offers a different kind of green space: it has marked fitness, walking and cycling trails, two artificial lakes and a fishpond.
Choose the Focus of Your Trip
When planning a holiday apartment stay, you can distinguish between the activities based on the routes described: hiking and mountain biking are marked on Ljubišnja, while eleven cycling routes totalling 270 kilometres are mapped in the rural area. If you would rather focus on cultural history, the museum, archaeological site and monasteries offer other themes for planning your trip.
A local culinary speciality is also mentioned: a description of the Milet Bašta restaurant, updated in 2025, lists national cuisine and authentic specialities of the Pljevlja region. If you plan to eat there, check the current menu in advance.
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