Vranjina () is a settlement, island, and a hill in Lake Skadar, in the Zeta Municipality of Montenegro.
Until the first half of the 18th century, Vranjina like other islands of Skadar lake, was one of the hills in the Zeta–Skadar lowlands.
Geography Created by a delta of the Morača River, the island is in the northern part of the lake. It has an area of 4.6 km2 and its highest point is at 296 meters, making it the highest island in Montenegro. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, towards Podgorica, and a causeway, across the lake towards Bar.
History Vranjina Monastery is a well-known feature of the island. According to the legend, the island had different name before the monastery has been built. When Ilarion Šišojević, the first metropolitan bishop of the Zetan Orthodox Metropolitanate, started the construction of the monastery he decided that the island will be named after the first bird he noticed. It turned out to be a crow ().
Town Vranjina town, on the shores of the Skadar lake, is called the Montenegrin Venice because of its natural setting. It is a popular fishing spot. Several fish restaurants located on the island include Plantaže restaurant.
Notable local landmarks include the so-called "house of Oso Kuka", named after an Ottoman border guard of Albanian descent who died on the island in a fight against Montenegrin forces in 1862. This was known as the Battle of Vranjina.
Demographics According to the 2011 census, its population was 209.
+ Ethnicity in 2011EthnicityNumberPercentage Montenegrins 159 76.1% Serbs 46 22% undeclared 14 6.7% Total 209 100%
+ Language in 2011LanguageNumberPercentage Montenegrin 115 55% Serbian 93 44.5% undeclared 1 0.5% Total 209 100%
References
External links