Podgorica (Montenegro) – detailed information about the city with photos. Podgorica main attractions with descriptions, travel guides and maps.
Podgorica (Montenegro)
Podgorica is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. It is located in the central part of the country between the Dinaric Alps and Lake Skadar. Podgorica has a long and rich history, as well as an interesting combination of Slavic and Ottoman traditions with a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Unfortunately, the historical appearance of Montenegro’s capital was severely damaged during World War II. After that, the city was rebuilt in the spirit of typical Soviet architecture. Therefore, Podgorica lost some of its charm and lost some of its cultural and historical monuments.
Geography and climate
Podgorica is located on the Skadar Plain, 30 km from the Adriatic Sea on the Moraca River. The capital of Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cool winters.
Practical information
- The population is over 150 thousand people.
- Area – 225 km².
- The currency is euro.
- The language is Montenegrin.
- No visa is required if the stay does not exceed 90 days.
- Car traffic is right-handed.
- Time – UTC + 1.
Hotels in Podgorica
History
The neighborhood of Podgorica was settled in ancient times. In the pre-Roman period, Illyrian tribes lived here. Then these territories were subjugated by the Romans, who founded the city of Birziminium. In the immediate vicinity of Podgorica are the ruins of another Roman city, Diocleia, where the Roman emperor Diocletian was probably from.
In the 5th century, the Slavs came to these lands and built the town of Rybnytsia. The first mention of a settlement called Podgorica dates back to the 14th century.
In the 15th century, Podgorica was captured by the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans turned the city into a powerful fortress with towers. In 1878, Montenegro declared its independence, and Podgorica became the capital of this state. During the Second World War, the city was subjected to powerful artillery bombardments that destroyed it to the ground.
Getting there
Podgorica has an international airport that serves many major European destinations. The only way to get from the airport to the city is by taxi. The cost must be agreed upon in advance. The nearest railway station is located 1 km from the terminal near the abandoned airfield. Trains run every hour.
Podgorica has a railway connection with Belgrade і Budapest. The capital of Montenegro can also be reached from some cities in neighboring countries.
Attractions
Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ — The cathedral was completed in 2013. The church building combines features of different styles and historical eras. The cathedral has an area of, 1270 m² and a height of 41.5 m. The bell tower includes 17 bells. One of them weighs 11 tons and is the largest on the Balkan Peninsula.
Сlock tower – A 19-meter-high Ottoman tower from the 17th century. It is one of the few monuments of the Ottoman period that survived the artillery bombardment of World War II.
Rybnitsa Bridge — is one of the oldest places in Podgorica. The bridge was built here by the Romans. Then it was repaired in the Ottoman period, so it is also known as the Adzi-Pasha Bridge.
Stara Varoš — The old town of Podgorica, built in a typical Ottoman style with winding streets that are now full of jewelry stores, restaurants, and boutiques.
Dioclea — is a ruined Roman city that is being considered by UNESCO as a potential World Heritage Site. The ruins are located just 5 km from the capital of Montenegro. Most of the significant artifacts are exhibited in the museum of Podgorica. Interestingly, archaeologists have also discovered about 300 tombs dating back to the 1st century AD.
Starodoganjska Mosque — is the only active mosque in Podgorica, founded in the 15th century.
St. George’s Churchя — is the oldest and most beautiful church in the capital of Montenegro, located at the foot of the Gorica Hill. This religious building was built between the 9th and 11th centuries. Inside, the church is decorated with icons and frescoes of the 19th century by an unknown artist.
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