Bijelo Polje: Culture, Architectural History and Landscape

When looking for a hotel in Bijelo Polje, you can consider whether cultural history, literary tradition or activities in the surrounding landscape should be the focus of your trip. Bijelo Polje lies in the Lim Valley and borders Serbia.

Culture and Architectural History

The JU Muzej Bijelo Polje was founded on 31 January 1957. Its collections include archaeological, ethnographic, historical, numismatic and art-historical holdings. The museum building has the status of a cultural heritage site. Between 1897 and 1905, it was built as a secular Turkish Ruždija school. The museum’s founding and the building’s former use as a school mark two distinct chapters in its architectural history.

The Gradska džamija adds a story of relocation to this perspective: in 1741, it was moved stone by stone from the Ljuboviđa Valley to the town of Bijelo Polje. Unlike the museum building, its story centers on relocation. Chronologically, these points range from the mosque’s relocation in 1741, to the school’s construction between 1897 and 1905, to the museum’s founding in 1957.

Literature and crafts are also part of local culture. Ratković's Poetry Evening has been held in Bijelo Polje since 1970. The Bjelopoljski Bazar promotes local cuisine, traditional crafts, old trades and folk handicrafts. The distinction is clear: literature on the one hand, and cuisine and traditional crafts on the other.

Springs, Landscape and Activities

Banje Selo is one of the best-known mineral water springs in Bijelo Polje. It lies at the foot of the village of the same name, in the valley of the Lješnica River. Kisjele Vode is one of the places to visit in Bijelo Polje and adds to the local nature and excursion options.

In the area around Bijelo Polje, Bjelasica is suitable for hiking and mountain biking. The mountain range lies between the Lim and Tara rivers. Novakovića Cave is 28 kilometres from Bijelo Polje; a three-kilometre walk leads through the canyon of the Vranštica River to the cave. Check access and the current condition of the trail before visiting.

A stone bridge over the Bistrica near Bijelo Polje dates from the late 17th century. It adds another historic structure to the area’s architectural history.

For planning, it helps to distinguish between locations: the museum, mosque, poetry evening and bazaar are attractions in Bijelo Polje; Bjelasica and Novakovića Cave are destinations and activities in the surrounding area. This makes it easier to separate a focus on the town from an excursion into the landscape.

Montenegro in a Broader Context

In the broader travel destination of Montenegro, the Durmitor limestone massif lies in the north of the country. Around fifty peaks over 2,000 metres high rise in Durmitor National Park; the glacial lakes are known locally as the “Eyes of the Mountains.” There are opportunities for hiking, and the Tara Canyon is considered the deepest canyon in Europe. The national park is also home to brown bears, grey wolves and European wildcats.

Discover more destinations: Bijelo Polje, Andrijevica, Šavnik, Ulcinj, Danilovgrad, Kotor, Žabljak, Plav.

Go to the broader travel overview: Montenegro.