History

Numerous archeological artefacts confirm that Polimlje was inhabited in the Neolithic period. The oldest inhabitants of the region were the Illyrians. Then, the Celts had come from the west in 390 BC, but they didn’t significantly influence the ethnic structure of the area. Even after the Illyrian state was invaded by the Romans in 35 – 33 BC, Illyrians, who were mostly cattle breeders, remained here. The presence of the Romans is evidenced by the graveyard remnants, called Roman or Latin graveyard by the locals. Upon the split, this region became part of the Eastern Roman Empire. Then, the Slavs came to the Balkan Peninsula in the 6th and 7th century, but since the Avars (also known as Obri) invaded together with the Slavs, they were the first to conquer the region. Despite constant invasions, a lot of indigenous people, who were engaged in cattle breeding, remained here. They are mentioned as Vlachs through the historical sources, a separate people present here since ancient times, not only here but in other parts of Montenegro, too, as well as in Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. They lived mostly on higher grounds and were known as cattle breeders.  It is believed they were descendants of the Illyrians, but also that they had been here before the Illyrians.  It is also believed that they were the ones who brought with them the tradition of going up to the katuns, which was accepted by the people who came after them. They kept their tradition even throughout wars and invasions, assimilated by the local population, and so, it can be said that all the people who lived in this region, to a greater or lesser extent, share their blood. Their presence is also evidenced by the fact that this area is a home to a large number of tombstones, called Latin or Vlach graveyards by the local population. Unfortunately, they are mostly covered in grass and forest, they are not preserved well, but they are scattered through the entire region.

During the Ottoman period, the population of the region mostly accepted Islam as a religion, and they also accepted some important skills and knowledge from the Turks – primarily their trading spirit and entrepreneurship, so it’s no wonder that the main trade routes which shaped the life of the region, passed through this zone.

And, the talk about history is over now. As you probably know, history is a sensitive topic in the Balkans, every people have its own version. We wouldn’t like to go in this direction, nor is it important for our story, we don’t have enough pages to present all the versions. What is important to know is that this, seemingly remote place through history, was one of the most important for the entire region, precisely due to the trade routes which connected European countries with the southeast part of the Balkan peninsula and then linked to the famous Constantinople Road.  It is important to know that this importance was a reason this area was invaded, then freed, that civilizations interchanged, by grace or force, here and left ancient traces for us to enjoy today. So, you can make your own version of history, in the way that you decide, if you are into history. What we would like to single out as most important here, something that tells a story about the life in these areas, are the archeological sites, and there are plenty of them here.