Etched into a mountainside and almost gravity defying, the Ostrog Monastery is a sight to behold.
Located between Podgorica and Nikšić, the monastery is the most popular pilgrimage site in Montenegro. It’s said to receive over 100,000 visitors per year and attracts individuals from all around the world.
In fact, the monastery is a known meeting point for Catholics, Muslims, and Orthodox Christians. Besides its religious significance, the Ostrog Monastery is a thing of beauty.
A HISTORY OF THE CONSTRUCTION
The monastery was originally founded sometime in the 17th century by Archbishop Vasilije (St. Basil). However, the current structure only dates back to around 1923-1926. This was due to a major fire that destroyed the bulk of the complex.
There are two distinct sections to the present-day cave monastery. They are simply known as the upper and lower. The upper monastery is home to the two churches that can be seen on the side of the mountain. They are both built into caves and known as the Church of the Presentation and the Church of the Holy Cross.
The lower monastery is normally where people start their pilgrimage. It’s a quiet area that houses the monks and centers on the Church of the Holy Trinity which was built in 1824. You’ll also find a few shops just outside the gates.
Traditionally, pilgrims would walk barefoot from the lower to the upper monastery. The hike is no joke either, as it’s about 2 miles uphill from the bottom to the top.
SAINT BASIL OF OSTROG
I can’t mention Ostrog Monastery without also mentioning Saint Basil of Ostrog. After all, the monastery is dedicated to him. He was a gracious boy, who ended up growing into a modest and pious man dedicated to the Church.
After his death in 1671, his remains were buried at the monastery and are the reason so many visit the site today. Praying to his body is supposed to have miraculous healing powers, as many stories have attested. I couldn’t say if they’re true or not, but the sheer amount of people that visit St. Basil is astounding.
The hiking path will lead you uphill and through some forest and a valley.
How to get to Ostrog Monastery?
There are a few options for getting to the monastery. If you are driving a car, you can head directly to the upper monastery, there’s a parking lot just outside of it. You can also park down near the lower monastery and trek up the last bit if you feel like it.
Another option is joining a bus tour. This is pretty cut and dry, you just follow the instructions that the tour company gives you. I personally took a train to get there, so if you’re coming from Podgorica I can’t recommend a specific company. But, I’ve found that most of the travel companies in the country are quite honest and open. Popular cities like Kotor and Budva do trips here too, but normally as part of longer full day country tours.
The train is both an easy and adventurous way to get to Ostrog Monastery. Just hop on the train from Podgorica to Nikšić or vice versa and stop at the Ostrog railway station. It looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere, but don’t be alarmed. A trail from the station leads up the mountain. If you have Maps.me, this is quite easy. If you don’t, head uphill when the road leaving the train station forks. You’ll start seeing signs pointing towards the monastery shortly after, just follow their lead. The hike from the train station takes just over an hour up, and just under an hour back down.
The Ostrog Monastery was one of the most striking places I visited in Montenegro. You can go for the famous pilgrimage, or just to see the amazing architecture, either way it’s a special place worth a visit!
