Montenegro’s largest gallery of 16th-century paintings
Construction period: 1573–1586
Piva Monastery is located near Plužine, on a plateau above the source of the Piva River, about 8 km south of the small town.
Its Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was built between 1573 and 1586 by Metropolitan Savatije Sokolović, on the site of an older church. The church is a three-aisled basilica of grey and pink stone, without a dome or bell tower, and the interior hides around 1,260 m² of wall paintings — which is why it is called Montenegro’s largest gallery of paintings. Due to the construction of the Mratinje dam and the creation of Lake Piva, the church was dismantled and reassembled stone by stone from 1969 to 1982. Today it is an active monastery of the Eparchy of Budimlja-Nikšić and a stop along the road to Šćepan Polje.
Always wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Women should have a headscarf for inside the church. Inappropriate attire may result in being refused entry to the monastery.
Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds, especially in summer. Weekdays out of season are most suitable for a peaceful visit — in the more visited monasteries, such as Ostrog, the difference is significant.
Monasteries are living communities of monks and nuns. In the church do not eat or drink, speak quietly and do not enter areas closed to visitors. Do not take anything out of the monastery — not a stone nor a flower. Approach with respect, regardless of religious affiliation.
Entrance to monasteries is usually free, and voluntary donations and candles are welcome. Pilgrims traditionally bring oil, wine, coffee and sugar as gifts for the monks; according to old custom, woolen socks are also brought to Ostrog for Saint Basil of Ostrog.
On monastery feast days and major holidays, many believers come — check the date of the feast day of the monastery you are visiting. The greatest holiday is Saint Basil of Ostrog on May 12; for that day, reserve accommodation well in advance.
A three-aisled basilica of grey and pink stone, without a dome or bell tower, is about 23 m long and 13 m high. The interior is painted with around 1,260 m² of frescoes, which is why it is called Montenegro’s largest gallery of paintings. The nave was painted in 1604–1605 by artists influenced by Cretan art, and the narthex by priest Strahinja from Budimlja and kyr Kozma.
The treasury is among the richest in Montenegro. It preserves the Psalter from the Crnojević printing house from the end of the 15th century and Savatije’s embroidered omophorion. There are also particles of relics; a visit to the treasury is usually by prior announcement to the monks.
Next to the south doors there is a rare fresco on which, according to interpretations, Mehmed-paša Sokolović hands over a model of the church. This composition bears witness to the connection between the ktetor and the time in which the church was built, and it is one of the most interesting details of the wall paintings.
An artificial lake on the Piva River was created by the construction of the dam at Mratinje. Because of it, the monastery was moved stone by stone. In dry years, such as 2011, the remains of the old monastic quarters emerge from the water.
The dam at Mratinje created Lake Piva and changed the entire landscape. From the viewpoint next to the main road there is a view of the dam and the Piva Canyon; along the road there are rest areas and cold water springs.
Viewing the frescoes, iconostasis and ktetor composition next to the south doors.
Photographing the three-aisled basilica of grey and pink stone in the setting of the Piva plateau.
The Nikšić–Plužine–Šćepan Polje main road along Lake Piva and the Piva Canyon.
Try Piva skorup, prljo, sour milk and mead in village households.
Walk 400 m from the main road to the monastery and further to points with a view of the lake.
Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.
The KR-DU cycling trail is 81.6 km long, with a total ascent of 2135 m and a descent of 2234 m. It passes through Durmitor National Park, along drinking fountains, springs, viewpoints and campsites; the estimated riding time without breaks is around 9 h 40 min.
81.6 km2,135 m8–11½ h
View trail
Top Biking Trail 1 – SALTY AND SWEET is a very demanding one-way cycling route 406.3 km long. It passes by Perast and Dobrota and through Lovćen National Park and Durmitor National Park.
406 km10,191 m6–8 days
View trail
Top Biking Trail 4 – ENDLESS LANDSCAPES is a 413.5 km long, very demanding one-way cycling route. It passes through Durmitor National Park, past Žabljak, Kolašin, Podgorica and Danilovgrad, with 8,566 m of elevation gain.
413 km8,566 m5–8 days
View trail
A demanding one-way cycling route 398,8 km long, with a total ascent of 9352 m. It passes through Biogradska Gora National Park and Durmitor National Park, past Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Nikšić and Žabljak.
399 km9,352 m5–8 days
View trailA one-way gravel cycling route 19.4 km long, with 332 m of ascent and 482 m of descent. It runs 100% on unpaved road between 1,166 m and 1,616 m above sea level; estimated riding time is 1 h 55 min.
19.4 km332 m1½–2½ h
View trail
Penjalište na stijeni iznad Pivskog jezera, uz magistralni put kod Plužina – 61 smjer, do 80 m.
View trailThe trail from Stabna via Stabanski katun to Veliki Vitao is 8.3 km long, with a total ascent of 1,364 m and takes about 5 h 45 min without breaks. It is intended for experienced hikers; the entire route is marked and leads through forest and mountain terrain.
8.3 km1,364 m5–7 h
View trailA one-way hiking trail of 9.1 km with 1,558 m of ascent. It starts near Stabna, passes through forest and mountain terrain, and ends at the summit of Veliki Vitao (2,397 m a.s.l.).
9.1 km1,558 m5½–8 h
View trailNo reliable data on accessibility for persons with disabilities
Official information about an entrance fee has not been published, so it cannot be confirmed whether entry is charged. Leave a voluntary contribution for the upkeep of the monastery.
By car via Nikšić on the E762/M-3 main road to Plužine; the turn-off for the monastery is about 8 km before Plužine. The drive from Podgorica takes about 2 hours, about 100 km in total.
According to the available information, photography inside the church is not allowed; the exterior and courtyard can be photographed.
No official rule has been published, but when visiting an Orthodox monastery it is customary to have covered shoulders and knees, with modest clothing.
From May to October; September and October are more pleasant, and a lower water level of Lake Piva can reveal the remains of the old monastic quarters.
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