Morača

Morača (Морача)
River
Morača valley north of Podgorica.
Country  Montenegro
Tributaries
 - left Zeta
Source Rzača mountains
Mouth Lake Skadar
Length 113 km (70 mi)

Morača (Cyrillic: Морача, pronounced [mɔ̌ratʃa]) is a river in Montenegro. It originates in northern Montenegro, under Rzača mountain. It generally flows southwards for some 113 km (70 mi), before emptying into Lake Skadar.

In its northern part, the Morača is a fast mountain river, and has cut a canyon north of Podgorica. After merging with its largest tributary, Zeta, just north of Podgorica, the Morača enters the Zeta plain. It flows through this flat area of Montenegro until it empties into Lake Skadar.

The Morača is a relatively small river, rarely more than 100 m (330 ft) wide and mostly shallow, so it is generally not navigable. Its canyon is currently a corridor for the main road leading from Montenegro's coast and Podgorica to northern Montenegro and Serbia. This road is considered very dangerous, and will likely be bypassed in future by a motorway which is currently being planned.

The Morača River is considered one of the symbols of Podgorica, and is the biggest river that flows through the city. It is featured on some flags and country symbols.

The famous Morača monastery, founded in 1252 by Stefan, son of Vukan Nemanjić, king of Zeta, is situated to the north part of the river's canyon.

References