The most beautiful churches cathedrals basilicas and chapels Montenegro

Completed in 1166, on the remains of a ^9th century church, the Cathedral of St. Thyphon (Sveti Trifun) is one of the representative monuments of Romanesque art in the Adriatic despite the reconstructions it has undergone. Its facade, recognizable by its two towers connected by a portal forming a porch, dates from the ^17th century.

Of the frescoes that once covered the entire interior of the building, only a few traces remain today, recently uncovered, especially in the apse and the treasure upstairs. These date back to the ^14th century. The sarcophagus of Andrea Saracenis and his wife, Maria, can be seen there. To the left of the entrance, stairs lead to a small ^14th century chapel where the relics of St. Tryphon are kept. This chapel is decorated with a finely carved white marble frieze, the work of a certain Francesco Cabianca, an ^eighteenth century Venetian artist. Finally, there is a large wooden cross of unknown origin on which the features of the crucified Jesus can be seen. The canopy over the altar (ciborium) is a magnificent example of Gothic art. The monumental baldachin is made up of four red marble columns supporting an octagonal construction on three levels and is decorated with sculptures illustrating the life of Saint Tryphon. The cathedral's treasury on the left-hand floor displays liturgical objects such as ciboria and other relics. The balcony between the two towers is also accessible.

Dating from the ^10th century, this beautiful church was erected on the hillside that gave its name to the city, Gorica. It is the oldest religious building in the country. Small Greek-Orthodox chapel dedicated to St. George, covered with frescoes of more than seven hundred years covering the vault and the holy of holies, it is worth the trip. This small church, placed in its green setting, has a certain charm, at the doors of a very beautiful park to visit as well.

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, more commonly called Hram by locals, is a Serbian Orthodox cathedral, the largest in the capital. It is located in the Momišići district, not far from the city centre, in the "new" district. Built between 1993 and 2013, based on the plans of Serbian architect Predrag Ristić, the building is one of the main monuments of modern Podgorica. Several different styles were used: Roman-style architecture and arches, Italian-style frescoes and stained glass windows, but also typical Byzantine bas-reliefs and decorum. After 20 years of construction, the long-awaited opening ceremony on October 4, 2013, the date chosen to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan (an important religious text for both Catholics and Orthodox), was celebrated in the presence of many prestigious Orthodox priests, such as the Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus and Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem. The central dome, almost 42 meters high at its peak, is decorated inside with golden and very colorful paintings and frescoes. The most important of these is the one visible at the entrance of the building, which tells the story of the Resurrection of Christ, the event from which the cathedral takes its name. The marble floor reflects the richness and importance of the work. The two towers of more than 26 meters protect the bells. One of them is the biggest in the Balkan countries, weighing 11 tons. At the foot of these towers there are two chapels, erected in memory of St Simeon (1114-1200) and St Jovan Vladimir (990-1016).

Moreover, access is relatively easy because, unlike the complicated parking streets in the city centre, the Hram can accommodate hundreds of visitors thanks to its giant car park next to the cathedral; on the sides, a beautiful terrace will save you from the hot summer heat. At Christmas or Easter, it is a real fervour that brings thousands of orthodox Montenegrins to gather by turning several times around the cathedral at the end of the celebration. Now known throughout Europe, the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ has become a real place of pilgrimage for Orthodox from all over the region. With its imposing stature and representing one of the most beautiful testimonies of Serbian Orthodox art, the Hram is one of the most touristic places in the capital.

This small chapel, located next to the monastery, was built in 1886 at the request of King Nikolaus to accommodate the religious ceremonies of the court. It is a simple building, built on the foundations of the central church of the original Cetinje Monastery, erected by the Crnojević family in the 15th century. It was here that the body of King Nicholas and that of his wife, Queen Milena, were laid to rest in 1989 (their remains were previously in the Russian church in San Remo).

Located at the foot of the old town, in the middle of an olive garden, this church was built in 1890 on the site of a 15th-century monastery. Another church in the town centre, also dedicated to St Nicholas, is worth a visit near the Bar-Ulcinj national road and bears witness to the town's Ottoman past. The Turks forbade the construction of buildings higher than the minarets of the mosques, so this church was built on a level slightly lower than the ground.

Located near the Hotel Marija, this 14th-century Franciscan church has a Baroque altar in polychrome marble. Decorated with thirty sculptures depicting angels with St Clare and St Francis of Assisi, the altar is the work of the 18th-century Venetian Francesco Cabianca, who also designed the marbled frieze in the small chapel inside St Triphon's Cathedral. It has a large collection of original books dating from 1450 to 1500.

Overlooking the city, the Orthodox Church of Sveti Vassilije is quite classical in style but beautifully encased in white marble. Inside are the names of the 3,098 Montenegrin and Serbian fighters from Herzegovina. These Montenegrin and Serbian fighters died during the great war of liberation, which took place between 1876 and 1878 under the command of Prince Danilo. At the bottom of the steps on the right side of the monumental staircase, you can see a war memorial from the 1990s.

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Rose is an architectural gem not to be missed by travelers in search of spirituality. Built in the ^17th century, this building is a witness to the history of the region and the Orthodox faith. The white facade and golden domes immediately catch the eye, while the interior houses remarkable frescoes and icons. Take the time to stop by and discover the richness of Montenegrin culture in an idyllic setting.