The purpose of the present study is a comparative analysis of the characteristics of traditional rural constructions constituted by temporary settlements for animal corrals, employed for vertical transhumance or nomadic pastoralism, spread over the mountain regions of three different Countries of the Adriatic-Ionian area, i.e., Greece, Italy and Montenegro. The main methods applied in this research were the detection and typological survey of some examples of these rural constructions located in Southern Italy, whose typical dimensions, building material and constructive technologies were detected and analysed. Major findings of the research have been the identification of some similarities connecting architecture and building material of these constructions, which revealed common technologies applied by people from different countries that, despite different socio-economical and cultural traditions, have employed similar techniques, implementing simple but very effective constructive building principles. Main conclusions are connected to the possible restoration of these constructions that, designed over the centuries in order to fulfil their primary agricultural role, now constitute a widespread cultural heritage with a significant architectural value, influencing the agricultural environment and the visual perception of its landscape that, within the current re-discover of the agricultural heritage, may play a central role, even though new activities related to rural tourism.

The study gives an insight into the domain of seasonal mountain settlements for summer cattle grazing (katuns), characteristic for the mountainous areas in the Mediterranean basin. The area of the Kuči Mountain in Montenegro was chosen for the case study. The area contains numerous characteristics exemplary for the topic—193 katuns with more than 2900 belonging housing and subsidiary objects. The presented results originate from the 3-year-long investigations, where the data obtained from archival documents were combined with those acquired through intensive field work and visits to each and every katun determined and documented within the area. The density of these settlements, as well as their architectural and constructional characteristics, show the high level of importance they had for the local population up until the last third of 20th century. Currently, changed sociodemographic trends rendered their intensive traditional use obsolete, but used building techniques, their internal organization and organic connection to the surrounding mountain landscape, have nominated them for important part of region’s historical heritage.

On the base of the documents of Yugoslav and US origins, this paper treats the beginning of reorientation of Yugoslav military policy towards the cooperation with USSR in the second half of 1950s. In the period between 1951 and 1958, Yugoslavia was receiving military aid from the Western countries, particularly the USA. That support provided the source both for maintaining the combat readiness of Yugoslav troops, as well as the modernization of their arsenal. On the other hand, such an aid could easily become a way into closer bonding to NATO, what was the outcome that Tito definitely had not wanted. He used the opportunity emerged after the Stalin’s death to step into process of normalization of relations with USSR, while maintaining the close economical and certain level of military ties with the West.

Traditionally perceived as a mountainous country, Montenegro is facing trends that, having accelerated since the mid-twentieth century, are genuinely changing its character in this regard. Reorientation from extensive agriculture practices, dominantly cattle rearing, to the activities and lifestyle adjusted to the industrialized urban centers determined the gradual but constant depopulation of the mountain areas, leaving there ever fewer and mostly elder households. Such trends have their roots in the development of the Montenegrin urban settlements since the late nineteenth century; however, the balance was drastically broken only after WWII when the new social and economic paradigm pressed on forced industrialization and urbanization as the comprehensive political, social, and economic strategy. Generational experience of living with and in the mountains was quickly replaced by a completely different context, depriving the new generations not only of the intention and reason to live there but also of the knowledge needed to organize and lead a life in the rural parts of the country. Within only half a century, the socio-demographical picture of Montenegro was so thoroughly changed, those mountainous areas, once the cradle of its traditional identity, nowadays often resemble deserted areas with sparsely scattered inhabitants.

Forests are an important natural resource of mountain areas in Montenegro, covering over 60% of the state territory. They provide protection, construction materials, firewood, food, and medicine. Collecting non-wood forest products, such as medicinal herbs, forest fruits, and mushrooms, is a source of income for the local communities and a considerable contribution to the national economy. Although the contemporary developed societies have been paying increasing attention to ecosystem services provided by forests and non-wood forest products, exploitation of forest goods here is still intensive, threatening important resources such as soil, water, and biodiversity. This paper points out the importance of Montenegrin forests and non-wood forest products, discussing also the negligence of relevant stakeholders toward these resources. Finally, it shows the results of a pilot survey conducted with citizens, teachers, and students on the issues related to forests, non-wood forest products, and forest-provided ecosystem services. Information on people’s perception, attitudes, and behavior should serve as an important input to policymaking, management of forest resources, and strengthening public awareness on the matter.