Kolašin

Kolašin (Montenegrin: Kolašin/Колашин pronounced [kɔlǎʃin]), is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 (2003 census). Kolašin is the centre of Kolašin Municipality (population 9,949) and an unofficial centre of Morača region, named after Morača River.

Etymology

The origin and the meaning of the word Kolašin is unknown. One hypothesis connects it to a vojvoda ("duke") named Kolašin who founded the settlement. Possibly the village of Kolašin from Sultan's Decree was the same Kolašin found in oral tradition and the settlement of vojvoda Kolašin. Another theory mentions an Shen Kole, Albanian version saint Nikole.

History

Ottoman period

Kolašin, fortress-settlement, was raised by the Turks in the middle of the 17th century in the namesake village in Nikšić district (nahiye). The village of Kolašin was first mentioned in the Sultan's Decree in 1565, by which the deceased Grand Duke Miloš was replaced by his son Todor. The Turkish town was named after the former village of Kolašin.