| Kolašin | |
| Native Name: | Колашин |
| Settlement Type: | Town and municipality |
| Pushpin Map: | Montenegro |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Kolašin in Montenegro |
| Latd: | 42.823800 |
| Longd: | 19.52374--> |
| Coordinates: | 42.8236°N 19.5225°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Montenegro |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Northern |
| Subdivision Type2: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kolašin |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 17th century |
| Parts Type: | Settlements |
| Parts: | 70 |
| Government Type: | Mayor-Assembly |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Miloslav Bato Bulatović (DPS) |
| Area Total Km2: | 897 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 census |
| Population Density Km2: | 11 |
| Population Urban: | 2,725 |
| Population Rural: | 5,655 |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Municipality |
| Population Blank1: | 8,380 |
| Timezone: | CET |
| Utc Offset: | +1 |
| Timezone Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 81210 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | +382 20 |
| Iso Code: | ME-09 |
| Registration Plate: | KL |
| Website: | http://www.opstinakolasin.me/ |
| Shield Alt: | Coat of arms |
Kolašin (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Колашин, pronounced as /sh/) 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.
Rebecca West wrote that the district was originally named Kol I Shen, which is Albanian for 'St. Nicholas', which was inhabited by Catholic Albanians who converted to Islam and who were expelled in 1858 by local tribes[1]
Rebecca Wests visited the town of Kolasin in the 1930s where she learned that in the 18th century, Catholic Albanians and Orthodox Montenegrins lived in peace. In 1858, however, several Montenegrin tribes attacked the town and destroyed all the inhabitants who had kept their Albanian identity or who were Muslim.[2]
During this period, Kolašin was home to a significant Albanian community. They were largely expelled in different waves during the late 19th century expulsion of the Albanians fleeing to Turkey, Kosovo (Pristina)[3] and Macedonia.[4] The Montenegrin forces also robbed the Albanians before the expulsion.[5]
The Bulgarian foreign ministry compiled a report about the five kazas (districs) of the sanjak of the Novi Pazar in 1901-02. According to the Bulgarian report, the kaza of Kolašin was almost entirely populated by Albanians. According to it, the kaza of Kolašin had 27 Albanian villages with 732 households and 5 Serb villages with 75 households.
The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is Dfb. (Warm Summer Continental Climate).[6]
The local football team is former third tier club FK Gorštak, who play their home games at the Stadion u Lugu. The town's basketball team is KK Gorštak.
Kolašin is one of the centres of Montenegro's mountain tourism. Although Žabljak is considered more attractive destination, Kolašin has the advantage of being easily accessible by road and rail.
Kolašin is located on the foot of Bjelasica and Sinjajevina mountains, which offer great conditions for skiing. Because of Kolašin's altitude (954 m), the town is considered an air spa.
Biogradska Gora national park is in the town's vicinity, and is considered a premium tourist attraction.The development of Kolašin as a tourist destination is bolstered by opening of Bianca Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in town's center.
Kolašin is connected with rest of Montenegro by two-laned motorways. It is situated on the main road connecting Montenegro's coast and Podgorica with northern Montenegro and Serbia (E65, E80).
Kolašin is also a station on Belgrade–Bar railway.
Podgorica Airport is 80km (50miles) away, and has regular flights to major European destinations.