Podgorica (see on Montenegro map) - no matter how strange it may sound, is the second capital of Montenegro. The main capital is Cetinje, however, the second most important city is Podgorica, because it is here that administrative buildings, many embassies and even the parliament are concentrated (and there are much more shops here than in any other city in Montenegro!)
Podgorica is located in the fertile Zeta Valley and is surrounded by small hills, which is why it has such a name, because. it is under the mountains.
A bit of history
These fertile lands were first inhabited by ancient tribes (human remains dating back to the Stone Age were found!), the Illyrians, then the Romans, who founded the first large city here called Birziminium. Not far from Podgorica are the ruins of another Roman city - Dioklei, founded by the Roman emperor Diocletian. Later, the Slavs who came here simplified the name of the city and it became known as "Dukla", the same name was given to their first state. And the city of Birziminium was given the simpler name "Ribnitsa" in honor of the river flowing nearby.
In the 15th century, this city, like many others, was conquered by the Turks. They built a large fortress here to defend themselves from the raids of the Montenegrin troops, and the city was again renamed Burgurica, which means blueberry. Only after 400 years of the Ottoman yoke, in 1878, the lands of Montenegro were liberated, according to the decision of the Berlin Congress. Podgorica was returned to its rightful name, and it began to develop at a rapid pace. At the very beginning of the 20th century, a large tobacco plantation was founded and the first bank, the Zeta Savings Bank, was opened. However, during the Second World War, almost the entire city was destroyed, but rebuilt again during the prosperity of Yugoslavia. At the same time, the long-suffering city was again given a new name - Titograd. But Podgorica still won back its historical name in 1992.
Now it is a large, financial and industrial center of Montenegro. The largest winery is located in Podgorica "Plantage", which produces everyone's favorite Vranac (red wine) and Krstač (white wine). Several times the wines of this plant won international competitions. Be sure to try them! Podgorica is the administrative and diplomatic center of Montenegro, where over 20 embassies and visa centers of foreign countries (consider the scale of the country!), including Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, etc. Podgorica is the best place for quality shopping in Montenegro: in addition to many small shops throughout the city where you can find inexpensive Italian imports, Podgorica has two modern shopping and entertainment centers: Mall of Montenegro and Delta City. Compared to Moscow and many other European shopping centers, their size may not seem so impressive, but from the excellent new collections of world brands, which are cheaper here than in Moscow, there will definitely be something to choose from (in Podgorica you will find Max Mara, Armani, Cavalli, Levi's, Benetton, Geox, Guess, Formarina, Tommy Hilfiger and others).
Sights of Podgorica
There is an opinion that there is nothing to do in Podgorica except go shopping. However, it is not. Here is an incomplete list of interesting places in Podgorica:
– Older parts of the city, such as Stara Varoš and Drach. Despite the destruction of World War II, medieval buildings, Turkish streets, mosques, and 19th-century structures remain.
– The Daibabe Monastery for men with a whole network of underground rooms.
– "Vizirov Bridge", built during the Ottoman Empire.
– Palace of Nikola Petrović Njegošev, ruler of Montenegro (now it houses an art gallery).
– Church of St. George, built in the 11th century.
– Ruins of the city of Doclea (on the way out of Podgorica).
– Ruins of the entire fortified city of Medun from the 3rd century (13 km from the city).
– Niagara Falls in the canyon of the Tsevna River.
– And there are also numerous museums where you can see evidence of the presence of the Illyrians and Romans on this land.
– The Millennium Bridge over the Morača River is noteworthy, having quickly become a symbol of modern Podgorica.
– Besides this, Podgorica is just a stone's throw away Skadar Lake.
