Town Halls and Public Buildings to visit Montenegro

Built in 1900, the former Russian legation is a living relic of the Tsarist imperial era and offers a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding mountains. Following the Berlin Treaty of 1878, Russia re-established a representation in the region, this time in Cetinje. The embassy was built in the purest Petersburg tradition, both visually and spiritually. Visually, because the building is like a displaced element of the beautiful Baltic city. From the walls, the ornaments to the details of the interior, we have a real embassy of the tsarist culture in Cetinje. Spiritually, because the architect Corradini designed the architecture. Like many buildings in St. Petersburg, Italian architects were welcome to cooperate. Enjoy the building as a witness of the Russian imperial city.

Today, the Russian Legation has become a museum that houses a collection of art objects, antique furniture and objects of everyday life of Russian diplomats. Visitors can walk through the richly decorated rooms and admire the paintings, sculptures and tapestries that adorn the walls. The antique furniture, including carved wooden cabinets, chairs and tables, give an authentic impression of the atmosphere that prevailed in the house in the ^19th century. The place is also famous for its library, which houses over 2,000 books in Russian and French, among others.

The former French Embassy is located in the center of Cetinje. It was founded in 1883 and closed in 1918. This former French diplomatic residence, located in the historical capital of Montenegro, is a historical and architectural jewel worth exploring. The mission of the French Legation in Cetinje was to represent the French Empire in the region and to maintain diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. It was headed by a career diplomat, a military attaché and a secretary. In addition, the French legation strengthened the ties between the two countries, especially by helping to modernize Montenegrin institutions. France also provided financial assistance and technical advice to Montenegro to help it establish diplomatic relations with other countries.

This building was built in 1908 as a result of a move. It was necessary to be more downtown. The building was entirely designed by French people. The architect was André Saffrey and the company Perret Frères. Today, the building is unfortunately inaccessible. It is a local library and you will be refused entry. After consultation, the French diplomacy has other priorities than the conservation of the memory of this building which represents, with the embassy in Belgrade, the friendship France-Balkans.

You will find this sign in Serbian at the entrance: Француско посланство 1879-1916. Fransusko poslanstvo. A consul is said to be "an envoy" in Serbian: poslat: to send.

If you are a lover of art and history, you can not miss the building of the "lega di Cettigne" built in 1905. This magnificent diplomatic residence is in neoclassical style, one of the centers of Italian diplomatic life in the Balkans.

Today, the Italian Legation has been restored and transformed into a museum to allow visitors to discover its rich cultural heritage. The building houses a collection of art objects and furniture that testify to the history of Italy and its relations with Montenegro. When visiting the Italian Legation, you will immediately be struck by the beauty and refinement of the architecture. Visitors will admire the large marble columns and balconies decorated with wrought iron motifs.

The rooms are furnished with antique furniture, tapestries, paintings and sculptures that reflect the art and taste of the time. Visitors will also be able to see objects of daily life, such as Sèvres porcelain, silver tea sets and Murano crystal chandeliers. Like all diplomatic representations, the embassy is surrounded by a grandiose garden where tennis and even golf were played. This embassy was of great importance to the Italian colonial ambitions. The Italians' goal was to trace a line from Milan to Mogadishu. Backed by the Adriatic Sea, the Balkans were to form the shores of an "Italian lake". Let us understand, a "trampoline lake" towards Tripolitania.

Montenegro became independent following the Berlin Treaty of 1878. The city of Cetinje has hosted eleven diplomatic representations. Today, one can admire the Art Nouveau architecture and its bright colors. The game is to get lost between the embassies and to guess the country to which they refer. You will appreciate the work of the architect Corradini who designed the Italian embassy, but also the Russian, Austro-Hungarian and English embassies.

Built in the 17th century by an influential Muslim family, this imposing building served as both a public building and a defence tower. Its architecture is that of the Ottoman houses of the Balkans. Two old mosques from the city's Ottoman period stand a short distance away. Recognizable by their minaret and their wooden entrance. The larger one, located right next to the Post Office and known as the Imperial Mosque(careva džamija), dates from the 18th century.