Today, let’s discover a city which is not known for tourism. Since, after lockdown you want your travel destination to be free from crowd, Podgorica could be a nice addition in your bucket list.
Podgorica
Podgorica is the capital city of Montenegro. Its rivers and bridges include the modern Millennium Bridge over the Morača River, and the stone bridge spanning the Ribnica River. The centuries-old Clock Tower, built by the Turks, dominates the old town. In the Zeta-Skadar valley south of the city, Lake Skadar National Park is home to medieval monasteries, beaches, and birds like the Dalmatian pelican.
History Of Podgorica
In this part of the Balkans, Podgorica is one of the old settlements. The name Podgorica appeared in 1326 in the archives of Kotor, a coastal town of Montenegro. Podgorica was a busy city with a very strong economy. In 1474, the Turkish occupied the city which stopped the development of the city in many aspects. The Turks built fortresses as a protection against rebellious tribes. In 1864, Podgorica officially earned the township title. It was given many titles, such as Bogurtlen and Burgurice. In 1878, through the Berlin Congress, the town of Podgorica was integrated to Montenegro. From there, without Turkish occupation, the town developed quickly. However in World War I, the town was occupied by Austria-Hungary. After the war, Montenegro merged with Serbia and became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During the World War II, it was bombed seventy times. On December 19, 1944, it was liberated. It was named Titograd and became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Montenegro in 1946. In 1992, the name Podgorica was reinstated. By then, the economy began to recover and by May 2006, it gained its independence and was made the official capital of Montenegro.
Things To Do In Podgorica
In Podgorica you can find a subtle mix of history and culture with the transformed minds of the current generation. Travel destinations include the National Theater, the Natural History Museum, the Republic Square, and some churches . But from the city, there are great places to visit which were untouched during the war. In Kotor, for instance, there is an old settlement Medun, an antique Roman area named Duklja, the monastery Dajbabe, Nemanjin Grad and Vranjina, a fisherman lodgment along the Skadar Lake.
Here are 9 places worth considering.
- Old Turkish town: with its mosques and old clock tower. A typical old Turkish “kasaba” (town), with narrow and curvy streets.
- Skaline (the stairs). on the outfall of the Ribnica river to Morača, with its old Turkish bridge over the Ribnica, and the ruins of old Nemanja’s town.
- Monument to King Nikola (Spomenik Kralju Nikoli), Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog (in the park across the street from the Montenegro’s parliament).
- Hercegovačka pedestrian street, Hercegovačka street (in the city centre.).
- Trg Republike, Slobode (next to Hercegovačka street). the central square of the city, a lot of crowd at the end of the day, when people finish to work. Lot of cheap restaurants and friendly people, a pleasant place to spend the first part of the evening.
- St. George’s church built in 10th century, on the slopes of the Gorica hill (hill after which the city was named.).
- Catholic Church, Mojkovačka, Konik district.
- Millennium bridge. the impressive new bridge over the Morača river.
- King Nikola’s castle. turned into a museum, also fine the surrounding park.
Getting To Podgorica
Podgorica can be reached through its main international airport Podgorica Airport. If you are traveling by rail you can travel with a Eurail Select Pass. One can travel direct from Belgrade in Serbia.
