Podgorica
Podgorica (
Serbian Cyrillic:
Подгорица) (
IPA ) is the
capital and largest city of
Republic of Montenegro. It is located at , 44 m above sea level.
A census in
2003 put city's population at 136,473; The favorable geographical position of Podgorica, at the confluence of the
Ribnica and
Morača rivers, on the meeting point of fertile
Zeta plain and
Bjelopavlići Valley has made the city an attractive location for settlement. The city is situated only a few tens of kilometers from both winter ski centers in the north and seaside resorts on
Adriatic Sea.
The municipality of Podgorica accounts for 10,4% of Montenegro's territory and 27,3% of its population. Besides being an administrative center of Montenegro, Podgorica is also its economic, cultural and educational focal point.
The name literally means "under the Gorica" in
Serbian; Gorica (meaning "little mountain") is the name of the hill that overlooks center of the city. The city was known as
Doclea in pre-Roman and
Roman times. In the
Middle Ages, the town was known as Ribnica, and between
1945 and
1992 it was called
Titograd.
Podgorica is located at the
crossroads of several important routes that lead down to the city along the valleys of the rivers
Zeta,
Morača,
Cijevna,
Ribnica, and
Sitnica, in the ravine of
Skadar lake and in the vicinity of the
Adriatic Sea, in the fertile lowland with favorable climate conditions. The area has been suitable for human habitation since ancient times, with the earliest human settlements being founded in prehistory. The oldest remains of material culture on this area belong to the late
Stone Age. During the
Illyrian age, the area of
Zeta and
Bjelopavlići ravine was inhabited by members of two Illyrian tribes -
Labeates and
Docleats, that directly influenced the genesis of local settlements.
Labeati inhabited the area from
Skadar to today's Podgorica. They had their own fortress Meteon (now
Medun), and developed organization of life, especially military.
Dokleats also inhabited the valley of the
Zeta River, and thanks to the fertile plain and favorable geographical and road position, experienced fast economic growth. Their biggest settlement was
Doclea. The city was situated about three kilometers northwest from today's Podgorica. From the urban point of view, Doclea was adapted to the terrain configuration. At that time it was a big city, with 8 " 10 thousand inhabitants, in which all core urban issues were resolved. A relatively high population density in an area with a radius of just over ten kilometers was conditioned by geographical position, a favorable climate, positive economic conditions and defensive positions that were of great importance at that time.
Beginning in the
5th century, since the arrival of the first
Slavic and
Avar tribes and the beginning of the break up of the
Roman Empire, the area bore witness to many noteworthy events. Eventually, the existing fortifications ceased their function, and new towns were created. Slavic groups that inhabited the area were in constant fights with Byzantium and tended to establish a new state. The result of the turmoil was establishment of a new settlement that was probably named after the river Ribnica on the banks of which it was erected. The first mention of Ribnica is related to the period of rule of
Nemanjići. Geographical position conditioned route importance of Ribnica, as the crossroads of main road directions enabled connection of these areas with the West. When they finally inhabited these areas, the
Slavs, by creating a new state, started developing their own culture and art. That culture was acceptable to the medieval church and feudal class.
The name of Podgorica is mentioned for the first time in
1326 in one court document of the
Kotor archive. Podgorica was economically strong. Merchant connections between
Dubrovnik and the State of Nemanjici, well developed at that time, were maintained over the road that led through
Trebinje and
Nikšić to Podgorica. As it was sited on the busiest crossroads, Podgorica was the center of very vivid flow of goods, merchants, messengers and other passengers that augmented to its development, economic power, military strength and strategic importance. Turkish occupation of Podgorica in
1474 interrupted economic, cultural and artistic rise of the city. The
Turks built up a huge
fortress in Podgorica and the existing settlement with highly developed merchant connections turned into the main defensive and attacking bastion against the rebellious tribes. The fortified city, with towers, gates and defensive ramparts, enabled the Turks resisted all attacks.
Pursuant to the decision of the
Berlin Congress in
1878, Podgorica was integrated in
Montenegro. That marked the end of four centuries long Turkish occupation and the beginning of new era in the development of Podgorica and Montenegro. The city has developed relatively fast and grew into strong market. First forms of capital concentration started to show up. In
1904 the first significant financial institution was formed " Zetska
savings bank that would soon grow into Podgorička bank. Roads to all neighboring towns were constructed, and in
1902 Podgorica got the first significant commercial company -
tobacco plant.
In the period between the two wars Podgorica counted around 13,000 residents.
In
World War II it was bombarded over 70 times and was devastated to the ground, with the deaths of over 4,100 victims. It was liberated on
December 19,
1944.
Under the name of Titograd, on
July 13,
1946, it becomes the capital of the Republic. That marked the beginning of new life. In the period that followed a general transformation of the town was realized. Material, personnel and scientific " technical potential was increased, education experienced strong growth, many new cultural and health institutions were founded, and by modern roads and air connections the city became connected to the rest of the state and foreign countries. Titograd thus became commercial, social-economic and cultural center of Montenegro.
The name of Podgorica was reinstated on
April 2,
1992.
Albeit being a medium sized city by
European standards, Podgorica is by far the largest city in
Montenegro, with almost one third of
Montenegrins living there. There are around 170,000 people in Podgorica municipality, which includes the small towns of
Tuzi and
Golubovci, and around 140,000 people in the city itself. These is the official data from 2003. census, while estimates go up to 200,000.
Population of PodgoricaEthnicity in 2003| Ethnicity | Number | Percentage | | Montenegrins | 96,343 | 56,96% |
| Serbs | 44,423 | 26,27% |
| Albanians | 9,296 | 5,50% |
| Muslims | 4,399 | 2,60% |
| Bosniaks | 2,307 | 1,36% |
| Roma | 1,389 | 0,82% |
| Others (<1,000) | 2,543 | 1,50% |
| Regional identity | 221 | 0,13% |
| Undeclared | 6,978 | 4,13% |
| Unknown | 1,233 | 0,73% |
| Total | 169,132 | 100% |
Besides being an administrative centre of Montenegro, Podgorica is also its main economic engine. Majority of Montenegro's industiral, financial and commercial base is situated in Podgorica.
Before the
World Wars, majority of Podgorica's economy was based on trade and small-scale manufacture, an economy model established during the long rule of the
Ottoman Empire. After World War 2, Podgorica becomes Montenegro's capital, and focus of the rapid urbanization and industrialization process that took place during
Yugoslav era. Industries such as
aluminium and
tobacco processing,
textile industry, engineering vehicles production, industrialized
wine production, were established in and around Podgorica.
The
Yugoslav wars, and the dissolution of Yugoslavia, left Podgorica's industries without markets, suppliers or funds to invest and modernize the equipment. This led to decline of many factories and finally, to closing some of them down. Those which survived were
privatized, and are today more or less recovered.
In the
2000s, Podgorica witnessed repid expansion of financial and service sector, and its economy transformed into more service oriented. The two
stock markets situated in Podgorica (
Montenegro and
NEX), today have daily turnover bigger than stock exchanges in much larger cities. Increasing number of investors and foreign companies that start their branches in Podgorica add significantly to the boost of Podgorica's economy. This is expected to continue, as Podgorica became capital of a sovereign state in
2006.
Podgorica is home to many Montenegrin cultural institutions and happenings. It is a home to
Montenegrin National Theatre, many museums and galleries and is educational center of Montenegro.
Montenegrin National Theatre is the most famous theatre not only in Podgorica, but Montenegro. Podgorica is also host to
City's Theatre,
Children's Theatre and
Puppet Theatre, as well as many smaller enthusiastic theatre troups.
Although not as rich in museums and galleries as historic royal capital
Cetinje, there are several noteworthy museums, among which are
Podgorica City Museum,
Museum of Marko Miljanov and
Natural History Museum. The best known art galleries of Podgorica are
Dvorac Petrovića (
Castle of Petrović's) and
Perjanički dom (
House of the Honor Guard).
University of Montenegro is situated in Podgorica, making it an educational center of Montenegro. The national library
Radosav Ljumović is considered to be the most comprehensive library in Montenegro.
Urban transport
Public transportation was covered solely by
Gradsko saobraćajno preduzeće, city-owned public transportation company which operated all urban bus lines within Podgorica. After dealing with many problems, it went bankrupt in the early 2000s, and public transportation was entirely covered by two private carriers.
Re-introduction of city-owned public transportation took place recently, but rather with smaller
minibuses than with buses. Public transportation has hard time dealing with competition. Unlicenced taxis mostly threatened the bus service carriers, but today increasingly cheaper
callbox taxi service becomes favourite transportation service of Podgorica citizens.
Intercity transport
RoadPodgorica's location in central Montenegro made it a natural rail and road hub of the state. Roads in Montenegro generally are not up to european standard, especially the road connecting Podgorica with northern Montenegro and
Serbia. Efforts are being made to construct a modern highway, to connect the north with Podgorica, and on to the
Adriatic sea.
The newly built tunnel
Sozina, 4,2 km long and a very modern tunnel, even by European standards, shortens the journey from Podgorica to
Bar, Montenegro's main sea port, to under half an hour.
The main transit connections of Podgorica are:
* north (
E65,
E80), towards
Belgrade, and on to
Central Europe * west (
E762), towards
Nikšić,
Bosnia, and on to
Western Europe* south (
E65,
E80), towards
Adriatic coast* east (
E762), towards
AlbaniaRailPodgorica railway station is located near the city center. The station is obsolete building, that lags both behind Europeans standards and Podgorica's needs. However, the building's owner
Railways of Montenegro, is lacking the funds for reconstruction.
Podgorica's main railway link is
Belgrade - Bar railway, both in passenger and freight traffic. The railway link to
Nikšić is currently being reconstructed and electrificated, and passenger service is expected to start in
2009. Podgorica is also connected by rail with
Shkodër and
Tirana in
Albania, buth the railway has been unused for some time.
Air transportPodgorica Airport is situated 12 km south of the city, and is the main international airport in Montenegro. In on
July 13th,
2006, entirely new passenger terminal was open.
There are regular flights from Podgorica to
Belgrade,
Bari,
Budapest,
Zurich,
Frankfurt,
Ljubljana,
Paris,
Rome,
Skopje, and
Vienna.
In accordance with city's and country's turbulent history, Podgorica is mixiture of various architectural styles. Whenever the rule and regime changed, which in Podgorica occured frequently, the architectural style typical for that regime was applied.
As Podgorica was incorporated into
Ottoman Empire until
1878, there are many reminescents of Turkish architecture. Oldest parts of modern Podgorica,
Stara Varoš (
Old town) and
Drač, are typical representatives of this, with two
mosques, turkish
clock tower and narrow, curvy streets throughout the neighbourhoods.
With Podgorica being incorporated in Montenegro, the urban core shifted to the other bank of
Ribnica River, where the town developed in
European-oriented way, with wider streets intersecting at
right angle.
During the
World War II, over 70 times bombed Podgorica was almost razed to the ground. After the liberation, the rebuilding began in a similar way to other cities in communist-ruled
SFRY. Mass residential blocks were erected, with basic design typical for countries of
Eastern bloc. The entire part of the city on the right bank of
Morača River was built in this way. Even the empty spaces in the city center were filled with near-
brutalist structures, resulting in an unfortunate fusion of old and the new. The residential and bussines blocks erected during the existence of SFRY provided the more-than-neccesary housing for Podgorica citizens after the war, but they are heavily criticized for the uninventive and grey looks they incorporate.
The major advance in architecture of Podgorica began in late
1990s, since when the city's face is changing rapidly. Apartment buildings and bussines blocks are erected rapidly, and they incorporate the modern all-glass-and-steel looks. Public spaces in Podgorica are heavily invested in, so the city got many entirely new squares, parks and monuments. Some of the new landmarks have been emerging, such as
Hristovog Vaskrsenja orthodox temple and the premium feature of Podgorica skyline,
The Millennium Bridge. Podgorica is today in procces of rapid transformation from featureless town to modern Eurpean capital.
Most popular sports in Podgorica are by far
football and
basketball. Basketball became especially popular during extraordinary succeses of
Budućnost basketball club in late 1990s and early 2000s, both in and European competitions.
Football in Podgorica has long tradition, which is associated with
Budućnost football club. World-famous football players
Predrag Mijatović and
Dejan Savićević were born in Podgorica, and made their debut in
FK Budućnost.
Besides
Budućnost,
Zeta footbal club from Podgorica's suburb of
Golubovci also has made its way to former first league of Serbia an Montenegro. These two clubs will probably compete with eachother for leading position in
First League of Montenegro.
Other football clubs situated in Podgorica are
FK Dečić (
Tuzi),
FK Crvena Stijena,
FK Ribnica,
FK Grafičar,
FK Mladost,
FK Bratstvo,
FK Partizan...
Budućnost volleyball and women's
handball teams had also made significant succeses in European competitions.
Budućnost means
Future in Serbian/Montenegrin language.
Annual sporting events, such as
Podgorica Marathon and
Morača River jumps, attract a number of international competitors.
Venues
Podgorica has a number of representative sport venues, some of them under reconstruction and expansion. The main are:
*
Podgorica city stadium, when completed will have capacity of 24,000. Home of
Budućnost footbal club.
*
Morača Sports Center, with large hall capacity of 4,200 seats. It hosted one group of
Eurobasket 2005, while other games were played in
Belgrade,
Vršac and
Novi Sad.
Almost every footbal club in Podgorica has its own stadium. Worth mentioning are
Malih sportova stadium under the
Gorica hill and
sport shooting range under the
Ljubović hill. There are doesens of other sport sport facilities scattered around the city, notably
indoor soccer fields.
*
Belgrade,
Serbia*
Zagreb,
Croatia*
Yerevan,
Armenia*
List of places named after Tito*
Podgorica official website*
Podgorica live cam*
Visit-Montenegro.com*
Photo-Montenegro.com*
National Tourism Organization of Montenegro*
Podgorica - WikiTravel
