Things to see and do Cetinje (Цетиње)

This monastery is characteristic of Montenegrin religious architecture. It was built at the very beginning of the ^18th century by order of Prince-Bishop Danilo ^I, on the site of the former palace of Ivan Crnojević, the founder of the city. The original monastery (built by Ivan Crnojević in the ^15th century) was located nearby, but completely destroyed by the Turks in 1692. Several fragments of this older monastery were used in the construction of the new church building. We refer to the six capitals in the gallery on the first floor of the lodge and a parapet plate on the apse of the monastic church.

In the center of the monastic complex,the small chapel dedicated to the birth of the Virgin contains two major relics: the right hand of St. John the Baptist and a fragment of the cross of Christ. The building, decorated with an iconostasis painted by Greek artists, also houses the tombs of Prince Danilo and the great voivode Mirko Petrović. In the church courtyard lie Darinka and Olga, respectively the wife and daughter of Prince Danilo ^I. In the residence of the metropolitan, two treasures of Orthodox religious art: the seal of Ivan Crnojević, founder of the city, crosses, mitres adorned with jewels, numerous icons, very old chasubles, as well as a remarkable collection of old books.

These riches of Orthodox art explain the popularity of pilgrims from all over the region, and even from Russia.

Installed in the former embassy of Serbia, just in front of the palace of King Nicolas. A small museum of two floors which is worth a visit for its objects of the daily life of Montenegrins in the ^19th century. The best is in the collection of traditional costumes, Montenegrin or Bosnian. The latter, superbly decorated and well highlighted by the lighting, are alone worth a visit to this museum. Legends are rather brief and only in English.

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.

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).

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.

This palace is modest. It is known as the Blue Palace because of the color of its facades. It was built in 1896 when Cetinje was the capital of Montenegro. It was then the residence of Crown Prince Danilo, the eldest son of King Nikola. The building is since 2010 the residence of the President of the Republic. Of modest proportion and with its facade balanced by a succession of Corinthian columns, it is very nice to see.

Opened in 2012, this large, modern-looking gallery covers 1,600 square meters and four levels. The gallery is part of the National Museum of Montenegro. It was designed to develop graphic and plastic arts, but also more modern branches such as digital art, conceptual art or sound art. The aim here is to promote young Montenegrin artists. There are many concerts, literary evenings and seminars on modern art.

Located in the former premises of the French legation in Cetinje, the French Corner Frederic Rossif pays tribute to the famous French filmmaker born in the city in 1922. Since 2013, this French-speaking club offers a variety of activities to promote the French language and culture. The French library and media library offer literary evenings, exhibitions and conferences. Don't miss the French film screenings every Thursday night.

Money is very symbolic and spiritual. It was in 2012 that the Central Bank of Montenegro opened this museum in a modern art building. Here you will see the various currencies since the very first Montenegrin currency called Perper, used between 1906 and 1916.

Present is also the Dinar used at certain times in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, during and after the Second World War. You will also learn that the Deutsche Mark was used in 1999.

The Museum of Arts contains the studio of Dado Djurić (1933-2010). The studio is located in an old house on Dvorski Trg square. Dado is a painter and sculptor born in Cetinje and settled in France. The studio of this distinguished artist is now dedicated to the promotion of other artists from the country and more broadly of the arts as a whole. There are many exhibitions of works by regional artists. The themes revolve around contemporary art.

It is the most visited attraction of the city of Cetinje. Dominating the city, this steep rock houses the mausoleum of Prince-Bishop Danilo ^I (1826-1860). The first of the dynasty of Petrović Njegoš, but also a stone sarcophagus decorated with engravings where he rests under a dome. It was erected in 1896 to celebrate the bicentennial of the dynasty. This was based on sketches made by Princess Jelena (one of the daughters of King Nikola ^I, his nephew and successor) and on plans by the French architect Frouchet. The prince-bishop is a very important historical figure for all Montenegrins: thanks to him the country gained its independence in 1858, after having won a resounding victory against the Ottoman Empire. Declared cultural heritage in 1957, this monument is part of the collection of the National Museum since 2012, as well as fragments of ancient pottery found at the top in the 1980s. The walk through the nature, following a path that the locals consider equal to a pilgrimage route and allowing access to the site, is very pleasant. Once you reach the top, the rock offers a very nice view of Cetinje and its surroundings: on one side unfolds the sea of rocks of the Lovćen massif and on the other side stretches a breathtaking panorama of the city. You will not escape this beautiful walk through the Montenegrin hills from which you will bring back strong and unforgettable memories.

Housed in the same building as the Museum of Montenegrin Arts, this museum offers an insight into the political, military and cultural heritage of Montenegro. The artifacts are displayed in chronological order, from the pre-Slavic period to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The collection includes weapons seized from the Turks during the wars of liberation of Montenegro in the ^19th century. Coins, flags from the victories of Grahovo (1858) and Vučji Do (1876) against the Turks. There are costumes and weapons of Prince Danilo (the nephew of Petar II Petrović Njegoš), as well as personal effects of Princess Jelena, the fifth daughter of King Nicholas. Among other things, the museum has theOktoih Prvoglasnik, a particularly valuable incunabulum from the ^15th century. The original icon of the Virgin of Philerma, patroness of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, is also on display.

The museum's permanent exhibition is divided into several segments. In the first section are exhibited objects from the archaeological period found all over the territory of Montenegro. In the second section are copies of frescoes from the most famous monasteries in Montenegro, as well as manuscripts and printed books from the medieval period. Part of the exhibition is devoted to the Petrović dynasty, at the time of the creation of the Montenegrin state (1796-1878) and that of the modern Montenegrin state (1878-1918). The exhibition ends with the events of the ^20th century.

This building is intended to house the headquarters of the National Assembly. Of a baroque style, the building was completed in 1910. This museum houses a rich collection of paintings made in the ^19th and ^20th centuries. Were present the greatest painters of Montenegro or the former Yugoslavia (Petar Lubarda, Pero Poček, Filipović). The museum also presents about ten icons, among which the famous icon of Our Lady of Philerma, exhibited in a separate room, the Blue Chapel.

In the former fortified residence of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, "The Billiard Room" is an ode to the glory of the Montenegrin poet and prince-bishop. The museum houses many personal books printed between 1594 and 1851, but also the billiard table he was so fond of, as well as his custom-made prince's chair (Njegoš was a 2m giant). In the adjacent garden, don't miss a huge relief map of the country, with cities, canyons and mountain ranges in detail.

Located in a wooden hut at the edge of the chapel's parking lot, the employees will kindly explain to you where a particular monument or museum is located. They also have the right addresses to find an apartment. The office can tell you about the rare rooms in private homes in Cetinje and sells a map of the city, very well done to easily find all the museums and monuments to see. Classic services as well: sale of souvenirs, postcards and books. The icing on the cake, the reception is also French-speaking!

This small church would have been built in 1482 by cattle breeders, the Wallachians. Just before the foundation of the city. It was rebuilt several times, and acquired its final appearance in 1864. The fence that encircles the building was made from the barrels of guns that were seized from the Turks during the battle of Grahovo. In front of it, the statue of a woman symbolizes the Montenegrin volunteers of the American army in the year 1914.

The Balkans is a mountain range rich in legends, stories and places to discover. There is a profusion of caves as breathtaking as each other from Trieste in Italy to the lake of Skadar. The Lipa cave is one of the last caves in this 600 km long area. Open from April to November, you can enjoy guided tours in English. Last tour at 4pm. Tours are given when the group reaches about fifteen people. Contact us directly for private tours.