Šavnik (Montenegrin: Шавник, pronounced [ʃǎv̞niːk]) is a town in Montenegro in the northern region and administrative center of the Šavnik Municipality. It is located at the confluence of three rivers - Bukovica, Bijela and Šavnik, at an altitude of 840 meters. It is the lowest lying settlement in the municipality.
Šavnik
Шавник | |
|---|---|
Town and municipality | |
 Main town square in Šavnik | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Šavnik Location within Montenegro | |
| Coordinates: 42°57′N 19°06′E / 42.95°N 19.10°E | |
| Country | Montenegro |
| Region | Northern |
| Municipality | Šavnik |
| Settlements | 27 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Assembly |
| • Mayor | Jugoslav Jakić (DPS) |
| Area | |
• Town and municipality | 553 km2 (214 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 census) | |
| • Density | 5.3/km2 (14/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 364  |
| • Rural | 1,224 |
| • Municipality | 1,588 |
| Time zone | UTC 1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC 2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 81450 |
| Area code | 382 40 |
| ISO 3166-2 code | ME-18 |
| Car plates | ŠN |
| Climate | Cfb |
| Website | www |
History
editUnlike most settlements in the area, which date back several centuries, Šavnik is relatively new, founded only in 1861. It was populated by migrants from other parts of Montenegro and Herzegovina, mostly craftsmen, merchants, riflers and blacksmiths, which were needed by local farmers. The area was overgrown with willows, which the newly formed town was named after (šavice – willow branches or seams, which were used as a roof covering).[1]
Before the construction of first houses on the site of today's town, there were two mills on Šavnik River. The first three houses that were built in Šavnik were a tavern with a shop, rifle repair shop and a blacksmith shop.[2] The town quickly became a center for the Drobnjaci region, and incorporated a post office, school, primary court, and military post.[3]
Industrialization during the SFR Yugoslavia era mostly bypassed Šavnik, so did all major transit road or rail links, and economy of town went into stagnation. Population of Šavnik and entire municipality is since in slow but steady decline. Most of the residents are migrating to Nikšić and southern Montenegro, and Šavnik is often a synonym for a poor and deteriorating town. The new road Risan - Nikšić - Šavnik - Žabljak (P5), and proximity of Žabljak as a main mountain tourist resort in Montenegro may boost Šavnik's economic prospects.
Population
editŠavnik is administrative centre of Šavnik municipality, which in 2023 had a population of 1,588. The town of Šavnik itself has 364 citizens.[4]
Population of Šavnik:
- 1981 - 633
- 1991 - 821
- 2003 - 571
- 2011 - 472
- 2023 - 364
Ethnic groups (2003 census):
- Montenegrins – ~59%
- Serbs – ~30%
- Others – ~11%
Transport
editŠavnik is situated on a regional road between Nikšić (45 km) and Žabljak (15 km), and it is its only link with the rest of Montenegro.
Gallery
edit
References
edit- ^ "Nepokretna baština Crne Gore - ŠAVNIK"., Analitika
- ^ "Opština Šavnik | Istorija". www.savnik.me. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- ^ "Savnik". Eko zona Durmitor (in Serbian). 2011-02-26. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- ^ "Preliminary results of the 2023 Census of Population, Households, and Dwellings". Monstat. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
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