Bijelo Polje is one of the largest cities in Montenegro. It is also the most ethnically and religiously diverse center of the country, where the followers of the Orthodox Church and Islam live side by side. The city has also entered the Montenegrin culture as the birthplace of several writers and poets, including Risa Ratković.
During the Turkish occupation of the Balkans, Bijelo Polje formed a separate sandjak, i.e. a region that was very much influenced by Turkish influence. Until the wars in the Balkans in the early twentieth century, it also separated Montenegro from Serbia and was a buffer between these countries. Today, its multi-ethnic and multi-religious character is still visible. Mosques and churches stand side by side here, and the atmosphere is saturated with Middle Eastern influences.
Due to its location near the border and on one of the main communication routes in the Balkans, Bijelo Polje is a transit city. Many people pass through it going further inland. Meanwhile, it is a place where you can feel the unique Balkan spirit and see with your own eyes the cultural mix that history has prepared for this region.
It's best to start visiting Bijelo Polje from the market square. From here it is close to the biggest attractions of the city, including the Mosque in Bijelo Polje and the Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul. This temple went down in history as the place where the famous Mirosław's Bible was created in the 12th century, one of the most important literary monuments of the Balkans, entered on the UNESCO Memory of the World list. Currently, its original is kept in the Cathedral of St. Sava in Belgrade. In the city you can also visit the medieval church of St. Nicholas.
The singer and poet Avdo Međedović and the writers Ćamil Sijarić, Miodrag Bulatović, Risto Ratković and Dragomir Brajković were born in Bijelo Polje. For this reason, Bijelo Polje is called the city of poets. The Poets Park is located here and the Rist Ratković House museum works.
