Stories of Mountain Life & Adventure​

We are proud and deeply moved to share the news that our katun pastoralism practice— the traditional seasonal livestock herding and way of life on mountain katuns — has officially been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Montenegro.

This decision by the Ministry of Culture, based on the proposal of the Ethnographic Museum, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije, marks a powerful step in preserving and valuing the centuries-old tradition of seasonal migration to highland pastures. Known as izdig, this practice is not only a way of sustaining livestock and land, but a deeply rooted cultural rhythm that shaped communities, customs, language, architecture, and gastronomy in Montenegro’s highlands.

At Katun Reljina, this recognition is especially meaningful. Our entire philosophy — from the design of our cabins to the food we serve and the stories we tell — is rooted in this very tradition. We invite our guests not just to stay in nature, but to experience a living heritage: cooking over open fire, sleeping in shepherd-style huts, listening to the silence of the mountains, and understanding a way of life that has quietly endured for generations.

Even more exciting, international recognition is on the horizon. The practice of katunovanje is in preparation for nomination to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and for recognition under the FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). These designations would not only honor Montenegro’s rich cultural landscape but help ensure that this sustainable, community-based form of living in harmony with nature continues to be supported and celebrated.

For us, this isn’t just heritage — it’s home. We thank all those who have worked to preserve it, and we look forward to sharing this living tradition with you, here in the heart of Biogradska Gora National Park.

📖 Read the full article by the Government of Montenegro here.
🧭 Discover how we keep the spirit of katun alive at katunreljina.me