Vrulja is one of the largest, most famous and geographically most important villages in the municipality of Pljevlja, located in the southeastern part of the municipality, at the transition between the Pljevlja basin and the Vraneška valley.
Here are the most important and interesting details about this place:
1. Geographical position and junction of roads
A link between two regions: Vrulja is located on an extremely important traffic route (main/regional road Pljevlja-Bijelo Polje), right after the pass and the bridge in Mijakovići. The roads leading from Pljevlje, Matarug, Bijelo Polje (via Pavino Polje and Tomasevo) and Žabljak (via Đurđević Tara) meet here.
Nature and relief: The village is located in a picturesque, flat and undulating valley surrounded by forested hills and meadows, at an average altitude of about 900 to 1,000 meters.
2. The beginning of the name and the abundance of water
Abundance of springs: The name Vrulja comes from the word vrulja or vrelina, which means a strong, strong spring of water that "boils" or erupts from the ground.
The Otnica river (a tributary of the Ćehotina) and several smaller streams and springs flow through the village and its surroundings, which
from the earliest times made this area extremely fertile and suitable for life.
3. Historical and archaeological heritage
There are archaeological traces in the area of Vrulje and neighboring Brez and Matarug that testify to the centuries-old continuity of life in this area, since the Illyrian and Roman times (tumuli, old cemeteries and churches).
During the Ottoman rule and the subsequent wars of liberation in the north of Montenegro, Vrulja had an important strategic role as a transit point and resting place for caravans and armies passing between Pljevlja and Polimlje.
4. Agriculture and Pljeval cheese
Thanks to its spacious and fertile meadows, Vrulja has always been known for advanced animal husbandry (breeding of large cattle) and agriculture.
The locals of Vrulje are known for the production of top-quality, full-fat Pljeval cheese and cream, which are considered one of the most sought-after dairy brands in Montenegro.
5. It's hot today
Unlike many purely Katunian or extremely remote villages, Vrulja functions as a local center for the surrounding smaller settlements.
In the village there is a primary school, a local office, shops and catering establishments by the roadside. Due to good traffic connections with Pljevalje and Bijeli Polje, the village managed to preserve a significant part of the population and active agricultural households.
