Medieval pathway of Prcanj, Montenegro

The upper medieval path  of Prcanj, from Glavati to Spille, with old churches on the hill and ruins of medieval houses, authentic farm estates and terraced gardens planted with olives as well as wooded areas between them, should be proclaimed, according to the wish of the residents, as protected landscape of special importance for the municipality of Kotor, as well as a valuable hiking tour.

 

The area of the medieval path represents one of the few coastal areas in the interior of the Bay of Kotor, where the cultural landscape has not been attacked yet by commercial construction and where there is continuity from the sea  Glavati) to the top of the mountain (Spille River Canyon). The pathway is a proof of Prcanj’s historical development, of the time when the settlement was located on the upper levels of the Vrmac hill, resting on agriculture. A special way of treating the soil, preserving fertile humus layers, was achieved by the dry-stone wall techniques on terraced levels along Vrmac slopes. Moving from the sea to the hill, ancient varieties of Mediterranean fruit, such as citrus, grapes, olives, figs, are still present. These authentic sloped terraces of autochthonous agricultural varieties are still preserved below the area of the upper medieval path connecting the Church of St. Anna with the church of St. Peter on the way to the Old Parish church toward Spilla river. There are also centuries old oaks and pine forests in the zones between the agricultural estates, which are also planted as old villagers can tell. On the top, this zone of settlement also shows several foundations of ancient family homes that date back to the Middle Ages, and in addition to the medieval paths, numerous ruins of churches and dry stonewalls are the material evidence of the medieval village of Prcanj which was located on the hill.

 

The landscape of the upper medieval path of the Prcanj is of a great importance for settlement and it is necessary to point out its future conscientious management in order to maintain its outstanding universal value as an integral part of the UNESCO Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor.

 

​

 

​

 

​​​​

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:
Kusevic, B. (2017). Medieval pathway of Prcanj, Montenegro ‘‘The Archive of Landscapes”. [date].

​

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

​

BACKGROUND PHOTO.

David Rumsey Historical Map Collection | The Collection; (1693) Disegno Topografico del Canale di Cattaro, Montenegro; Coronelli, Vincenzo (1650-1718).