Endangered Mediterranean Mountain Heritage—Case Study of katuns at the Kuči Mountain in Montenegro

Abstract

The study gives an insight into the domain of seasonal mountain settlements for summer cattle grazing (katuns), characteristic for the mountainous areas in the Mediterranean basin. The area of the Kuči Mountain in Montenegro was chosen for the case study. The area contains numerous characteristics exemplary for the topic—193 katuns with more than 2900 belonging housing and subsidiary objects. The presented results originate from the 3-year-long investigations, where the data obtained from archival documents were combined with those acquired through intensive field work and visits to each and every katun determined and documented within the area. The density of these settlements, as well as their architectural and constructional characteristics, show the high level of importance they had for the local population up until the last third of 20th century. Currently, changed sociodemographic trends rendered their intensive traditional use obsolete, but used building techniques, their internal organization and organic connection to the surrounding mountain landscape, have nominated them for important part of region’s historical heritage.

Attractive Landscape Features as Drivers for Sustainable Mountain Tourism Experiences

“…Although quite often the significant territorial capital is seen in the valorization of the natural heritage [32], which is translated in the status of "protected area" [33], appreciation by visitors extends to a wide range of nature-related and culturally shaped landscape features. At the core of these landscapes are mountain-specific grassland management areas of pasture land [34,35], as well as biotic elements linked to particular climates, altitudes, and management-dependent aesthetic value [36]. In these contexts, specific cultures of collective land management have been elaborated due to strategies to secure human-nature conditions and long-term use [37] favoring an assessment of dynamic cultural landscapes that are rooted in longterm historical trajectories [38].…”

Special Issue Editorial: Mountains under Pressure

“…Our Special Issue also includes two papers on cultural aspects. Laković et al ( 2020) [19] investigate seasonal mountain settlements for summer cattle grazing (katuns) in the Kuči Mountain in Montenegro. Although these are now obsolete, the density of these settlements and the architectural and constructional characteristics show the high importance they had for the local population up until the last third of the 20th century.…”