Montenegro's history & traditions
Take a tour through our history and traditions by watching parades of individually decorated boats compete in the waters of the Bay of Kotor, or by sampling local wine and common bleak fish at the Virpazar festival. Or maybe you would enjoy attending the royal court in Cetinje or witnessing the traditional kolo dance unique to Montenegro, the Crnogorsko oro!
Montenegro's history & traditions
Quick overview:
Seasons
Best fit
Facts:
Montenegro is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country.
The Illyrian tribes were the first known ethnic groups (between the 5th and 2nd centuries BC)
Following the Illyrians, this area became a part of imperial Rome and its Prevalis province.
Following the fall of the great Roman Empire, the province of Prevalis became a part of Byzantium (6th century occupied by the Slavs)
The first state organization was conceived in the 9th century, and from the end of the 10th century, during the reign of Prince Vladimir, it became known as the Slavic Duklja, which was renamed Zeta in the 11th century.
It became a kingdom during the Vojislavljević dynasty (11th – 12th century).
It was the world's 27th independent state when it gained international recognition as an independent state on July 13, 1878.
From 1910 to 1918, Montenegro was its own kingdom.
Montenegro regained its independence and became an internationally recognized state on May 21, 2006.
Quick tip
Folk costume with gold stitching!
Imagine a small, modest country with unusually luxurious folk costumes! The Montenegrin folk costume is embroidered with gold and silver threads and is modeled after the robes of royalty. It was seen as the most valuable item in a household, and used to be worth a small estate!
Listen to what museums tell you
Do you have an intense desire to travel back to ancient times and witness what life was like back then, without leaving the comfort of the present? We have a local museum in almost every city for you, because, as they say, a city without history is like a man without a memory. And the memory here is incredibly long, dating back to the Stone Age!
If you go to one of the museums, you will be able to see the spirit of the past come to life before your eyes. If you want to have an interactive experience of life from the Middle Ages, we recommend the Museum of Living History in Prčanj! Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro, also includes the "City of Museums" and the "City Museum." Seek out the residences of Montenegro’s rulers in this historic city to best immerse yourself in the history that Montenegrins are rightly proud of!
Folklore evenings
Want to know what it's like to celebrate like a Montenegrin? Nothing can arouse their enthusiasm like dancing and singing. Meet the Crnogorsko Oro, a traditional Montenegrin folk dance in which girls and boys dress in one of the world's most luxurious costumes and dance in a stylistic imitation of an eagle's flight, accompanied by singers and musicians playing love songs. Imagine a "kolo na kolo'' formation in front of you, in which players climb on the shoulders of their dance mates to form a dvospratno kolo (two-story circle)!
You also have a good chance of hearing the gusle, a traditional instrument with only one string, during traditional dances and musical performances. The gusle will tell you haunting stories from the past and tales of battle and victory passed down from generation to generation, in order to capture events of the past and teach them to future generations.
In the spirit of celebration
Come celebrate the many holidays and events that Montenegro has to offer! Enjoy Perast as boats circle the artificial island at dusk and throw stones around it as a reminder of the miraculous icon discovered on a small cliff, which is why they built a sanctuary in the middle of the sea.
Watch the parade of decorated boats competing for the main prize in Kotor, or participate in the carnivals that take place there throughout the year. At the winter carnival, don't forget to burn the carnival doll that symbolizes all the evil that happened in the previous year.
More events & festivals
Find festivals in honor of flowers, plants, fish, and other natural gifts in places all over the country. Some of these festivals serve up delicious delicacies as well as a rich cultural and artistic entertainment program, and have a pretty substantial duration, meaning you have a pretty good chance of attending one if you want to.
Iconic festival examples include the Mimosa Festival in Herceg Novi, the Camellia Festival in Stoliv, the Olive Festival in Bar, the Blueberry Days in Plav, the Mushroom and Medicinal Herbs Days in Rožaje, the Koštanijada in Ostros, the Shiruna Day in Budva, and the Wine and Grove Festival in Virpazar.
Get a taste of country life
What was our society's traditional role division? What are the relationships between the members of the household? What values are nurtured? Find the answers to these questions in the villages where people still live and work. Staying in nature with friendly hosts and having a "cup of conversation” with drinks and local food is an experience for which this country is remembered, and that you will certainly not forget.
Visit the Katuns
In your discovery of Montenegro, stop at the katuns and make the locals happy with your presence, as they joyfully share with you their stories, their destinies, and what they inherited in their cultural patterns.
They will tell you how funerals are a social custom in our country, boast of how hospitality has always been a core value, explain to you what an ethical ideal is to them, and teach you what “chivalry and heroism” means in this country. You will also inevitably hear “God in heaven and godfather on earth,” meaning there is nothing more important than family.
Ask them who the "virdžine" were, what an "amanet" is, or how the blood feud ended, and prepare to hear fascinating tales in response!
Explore more:
City
Fortresses
Conquer what was intended to be unconquerable! Climb high fortresses, get lost in ancient city streets, and explore mighty walls and towers!
More
Accommodation
The most popular museums
Whether you are fascinated by history, culture, ethnography, archeology, flora, and fauna, or something completely different, the offer is not lacking!
More
City
Sacral objects
Set out on an adventure to discover Montenegro's rich spiritual life and religious heritage! Numerous monasteries, cathedrals, and mosques stand showcasing their architectural beauty, ancient works of art, and timeless permanent value to communities throughout the centuries.
More
City
Archaeological sites
Follow the paths of numerous cultures that each took their turn in the spotlight over centuries, and open the doors to the fascinating world of the past! Allow them to reveal the history of ancient civilization through archeological excavations, which now tell fascinating stories previously lost to time!
More
City
Intangible cultural treasures
Montenegro's unusually rare and valuable cultural heritage takes you on an unforgettable journey into the past.
More
