Settlement Type: | Town and municipality |
Pushpin Map: | Montenegro |
Pushpin Label Position: | right |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within Montenegro |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Type1: | Region |
Subdivision Name1: | Northern Montenegro |
Subdivision Type2: | Municipality |
Subdivision Name2: | Šavnik |
Timezone: | CET |
Utc Offset: | +1 |
Timezone Dst: | CEST |
Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
Population As Of: | 2023 census |
Šavnik | |
Native Name: | Шавник |
Leader Title: | Mayor |
Leader Name: | Jugoslav Jakić (DPS) |
Area Total Km2: | 553 |
Population Blank1: | 1,588 |
Population Blank1 Title: | Municipality |
Population Density Km2: | 5.3 |
Population Urban: | 364 |
Population Rural: | 1,224 |
Parts: | 27 |
Parts Type: | Settlements |
Established Date: | 1861 |
Coordinates: | 42.95°N 19.1°W |
Area Code Type: | Area code |
Area Code: | +382 40 |
Blank1 Info Sec1: | ŠN |
Blank1 Name Sec1: | Car plates |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 81450 |
Blank Info Sec1: | ME-18 |
Blank Name Sec1: | ISO 3166-2 code |
Blank Name Sec2: | Climate |
Blank Info Sec2: | Cfb |
Šavnik (Шавник, pronounced as /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.
Unlike 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.
Šavnik 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:
Ethnic groups (2003 census):
Šavnik 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.