The village of Dubočica is located in the municipality of Pljevlja, in the immediate vicinity of the reservoir Otilović lake and the Dubočica monastery, which is named after it.
A few key details about this village:
1. Geographical location and natural environment
Location: It is located in a hilly-mountainous area south of Pljevlja (about 10-12 km away), on the road leading to Bijelo Polje.
Landscape: The village is located above the valley of the river Ćehotina (today Otilović lake). The landscape is characterized by coniferous and deciduous forests, spacious pastures and high-altitude glades.
2. Connection with the monastery and the sinking of the valley
Historical entity: Throughout the centuries, the village was inextricably linked to the Dubočica monastery, which was originally located at the very bottom of the Ćehotina river valley, on land that belonged to this area.
Changing the landscape: With the creation of an artificial reservoir (Otilović Lake) in the 1980s for the needs of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant, the most fertile, lowest parts of the valley and the old settlement were submerged, and the monastery was moved to a higher floor in neighboring Otilovići. This significantly changed the appearance of the village itself and the way of life of the remaining population.
3. Population and economy
Agriculture: Locals are traditionally engaged in animal husbandry (breeding of cattle and sheep), beekeeping and fruit growing. They are known for the production of traditional dairy products from the Pljeval region.
Demographic trends: Like most villages in Pljevlja, Dubočica is faced with an outflow of population to the city or larger centers, so today the village is mostly inhabited by older people, while younger people come on weekends and during the summer to maintain the estates.
4. Ambience and tourist potential
Due to its close proximity to Lake Otilovići, untouched nature and the cultural and historical significance of the nearby monastery, Dubočica offers excellent conditions for fishing, nature walks and rural tourism.
