Njegusi
The centre of Njegusi is Njegusko polje, referred to by locals as Polje. Large and fertile, it represents tame life oasis in the stone. Its vey position, proximity of Kotor and sea, made it very important economically and politically in the past. During Turk reign the traffic was viable only through it, from Cetinje to Kotor, Europe and the world. Around Polje and its surroundings there are permanent settlements: Zanjev do, Mirac, Kopito, Dugi do, Erakovici, Raicevici, Vrba, Velji Kraj, Veliki Zalazi and Mali Zalazi. These settlements form brotherhoods (with specific characteristics) that raised their churches and cemetery and the most famous and largest are Erakovici and Raicevici. Numerous churches is one of peculiarities of Njegusi, as it is the place with most churches (there were 17 until World War II, nowadays there are 15).
Njegusi are the cradle of the people which bears that name and it had a significant role in history, giving prominent bishops and rulers to the Montenegrin state from the Petrovic Dynasty. Complex of houses of relatives made from stone were grouped alongside main rode which leads from Kotor to Cetinje and back. There is birth house of Njegos, the tower house of Petrovic family, the house of Rade Petrovic and Tomo Petrovic. On the other side of road, in the same yard is the house of Duke Mirko Petrovic with a threshing floor beside it. The house Njegos was born in is made of stone, rectangular base with a vaulted tavern and belongs to the type of traditional popular architecture of the rocky part of Montenegro, simple, without decorative elements.
Natural environment (enviable land fund, pastures, communes and water) predetermined the basic occupation to be agriculture and livestock farming. Every piece of land was farmed carefully. Houses were built at the sides and edges as there was constant struggle to tear off as much farming land as possible from stone. They are enclosed by traditional dry stack stone walls.
Njegusi have always been known for dairy products and meat. Famous cheese of Njegusi used to be sold in Kotor, Coastal area, Dalmatia, Trieste and Venice, Marseille to Malta. Kastradina is also well known (dried mutton) and prosciutto of Njegusi which is the most important product to the day. There are around 230 inhabitants in Njegusi.
