Via Ferrata Piva, a new tourist product and attraction with a length of about 4,500 meters, was officially opened in Plužine on October 3, 2024 as part of the ” Via Ferrata CLimb to Unveil Beauty of Piva and Ibar” project (Via Ferrata CLUB).
The opening was attended by the ambassador of the European Union in Montenegro, Mr. Johan Satler, president of the Municipality of Plužine, Mr. Slobodan Delić, president of the Municipality of Tutin, Mrs. Selma Kučević and director of the Institute for Territorial Economic Development (InTER), Mr. Dragiša Mijačić.
The President of the Municipality of Plužine, Mr. Delić, stated that “the realization of this project will contribute to the positioning of Plužine, which is already an interesting tourist destination, to be even better.” “A new tourist product that I am sure tourists will visit and use. It is truly an adrenalin experience that I recommend to everyone,” and added that they have already implemented a number of projects with the EU Delegation, and I am confident that there will be more.
The EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Johan Sattler, pointed out that the opening of Via Ferrata Piva was his first visit outside Podgorica, after he took office in early September. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’m in beautiful Plužine. The potential in terms of tourism is immediately visible and I am convinced that we will continue on this path. Cross-border cooperation is very important and connecting people is the essence of the EU, especially in a region like the Western Balkans.”
The President of the Municipality of Tutin, Mrs. Selma Kučević, pointed out that this is the first joint project that “the youngest municipality in the Balkan and Plužine are implementing”. “This project can be viewed from several aspects – we can gather numerous tourists, nature lovers, and it opens the door to the strengthening of the local economy, an incentive for better quality services, as well as for the inclusion of young people,” stated Kučević, adding that the mentioned project is only an incentive for further joint initiatives.
Director of InTER, Dragiša Mijačić, said that the opening of Via Ferrata Piva is a great day for cross-border cooperation and raising tourism to a higher level. “Tourism is a branch that brings people together, which we can see in this example as well.” This tourist product will raise the potential of the municipality of Plužine, but also of the entire cross-border region,” Mijačić said.
The Via Ferrata is installed in an attractive location, right next to the bridge on the Piva River, and is suitable for all groups of tourists.
After the opening, participants had the opportunity to walk the entire Via Ferrata trail accompanied by a guide.
The implementation of the project started on 1 November 2023 and will last for one year, until 31 October 2024. The total value of the project is € 288,643.10, of which the European Union’s contribution is € 244,798.21.