Cetinje is the honorary capital of Montenegro. It lies at the foot of the Lovcen Mountains, about 30 km from the coast. The city is very much associated with the beginnings of Montenegrin statehood, and in its buildings you can find many historic buildings from both the 15th and 19th century.
Although the capital of Montenegro is Podgorica, Cetinje occupies a very important place on the historical and political map of the country. It was here in the fifteenth century that the capital was moved, which quickly became a thriving center not only political but also cultural. During the Turkish occupation, it was the seat of the ruler of Montenegro, and after regaining independence in 1878, the first capital of the new state. Although in 1918 the seat of the authorities was moved to Podgorica, Cetinje was still a city of great importance. Currently, the official residence of the president of the country is located here.
The most important monuments of Cetinje come from before the Turkish occupation. The monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God comes from the 15th century, which was rebuilt several times after damage caused by invasions. The beginnings in the mid-15th century also have the Wallachian Church, which in its present shape was rebuilt in the 19th century. A similar fate was met by the medieval Orthodox church on Ćipura surrounded by the remains of a colonnade.
Monuments from the nineteenth century are primarily government buildings and former embassies. The most important of them is Billiards, i.e. the palace of Peter II Niegosz, an Orthodox saint, ruler of independent Montenegro, thinker and philosopher. His mausoleum is located in the Lovcen mountains several kilometers from Cetinje. You can also see the Blue Palace, the Palace of King Nicholas, the Government House, which now houses the Historical Museum, as well as the Mausoleum of Lord Daniel I.
