Cetinje is the historic capital of Montenegro. The city is of enormous historical and spiritual value to Montenegro. During the siege of the Ottoman empire, Montenegro itself had, at numerous times, been reduced to just Cetinje and its surroundings.
Cetinje is a town of 19,000 located in the small valley under the Lovćen mountain. It was founded 15th century by Ivan Crnojevic. His son founded the first printing house in the South Slavs - about the time the Columbus discovered America! Due to the strategic nature of Montenegro, it being an independent state on the border of the Ottoman Empire, all of the major European powers had an embassy in Cetinje. For this reason the town has a continental style old town located a thousand miles away from any of the continental cities that the architecture is representative of. It is very much the spiritual heart of Montenegro.
- Cetinje Monastery. 8AM-7PM. The most famous Orthodox monastery in Montenegro. Re-built in 1785. Features several relics including the remains of Saint Peter of Cetinje, the right hand of John the baptist, the remains of Peter II Petrovic, and the crown of Steven Uros IV Dusan, midevil emperor of Serbia.
- Vlaška Church. Built in 1450. fence made out of barrels of captured enemy rifles.
- Ethnographic Museum, King Nicholas' Square. 9AM-3PM. Clothing from Montenegro
- State Museum. 9AM-3PM. Former residence of Nikola Petrovic I, king of Montenegro. Looted during World War II. €5.
- Biljarda Hall. 1832 residence of Peter II Petrovic. Now a museum dedicated to him. €3.
- National Museum of Montenegro, Novice Cerovica. 9AM-5PM. History section and art section. €5.
- Grave of Vladika Danilo. If you are willing to take the 10-minute walk up the hill on the path that starts on the left of the Cetinje Monastery, you will not be sorry because you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Cetinje from above
There is a cummulative €10 ticket that allows you to visit all the museums in Cetinje.
Cetinje Monastery. 8AM-7PM. The most famous Orthodox monastery in Montenegro. Re-built in 1785. Features several relics including the remains of Saint Peter of Cetinje, the right hand of John the baptist, the remains of Peter II Petrovic, and the crown of Steven Uros IV Dusan, midevil emperor of Serbia.
Vlaška Church. Built in 1450. fence made out of barrels of captured enemy rifles.
Ethnographic Museum, King Nicholas' Square. 9AM-3PM. Clothing from Montenegro
State Museum. 9AM-3PM. Former residence of Nikola Petrovic I, king of Montenegro. Looted during World War II. €5.
Biljarda Hall. 1832 residence of Peter II Petrovic. Now a museum dedicated to him. €3.
National Museum of Montenegro, Novice Cerovica. 9AM-5PM. History section and art section. €5.
Grave of Vladika Danilo. If you are willing to take the 10-minute walk up the hill on the path that starts on the left of the Cetinje Monastery, you will not be sorry because you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Cetinje from above
Visiting Cetinje is really about understanding Montenegro and it's history.
- Acrobranche (tree climbing) attraction park.
Acrobranche (tree climbing) attraction park.
If you are looking for a genuine Montenegrin souvenir - Cetinje is the town! Other than that, Cetinje is not really a shopping resort, leave that for coastal towns or Podgorica.
Cetinje is the right town to try out traditional Montenegrin cuisine. Despite the name of the country, make sure you try the excellent Adriatic fish and seafood.
- Vinoteka. Excellent fish and seafood
- Konak. As in the rest of former Yugoslavia, you can try njeguški pršut (smoked ham) and njeguški cheese. The main courses are boiled lamb, lamb cooked in milk, cicvara in fresh milk cream (buttered corn porridge), boiled potato with cheese and fresh cream (kajmak).
Vinoteka.
Konak.
Montenegrin quality wine is a must-try. The best known Montenegrin wines are the premium "Vranac", "Pro Corde", "Krstač", "Cabernet", "Chardonnay" and the famous home made Crmničko red wine.
Grape brandy (rakija) "Montenegrin loza", "Prvijenac", "Kruna" or home made grape brandy (lozova rakija, lozovaca) is also great.
- KOLE, NEAR PRESIDENT PALACE.
KOLE, NEAR PRESIDENT PALACE.