Cetinje

Cetinje is the historic capital of Montenegro. The modern capital is Podgorica, which is 40 minutes to the east of the town. The National Museum of Montenegro, above, is located in Cetinje.

The area around Cetinje has been inhabited for thousands of years. This gravestone with Mercury on it is from the 2nd or 3rd century A.D.

Centinje was founded in 1482 by a noble Serbian family, and annexed in 1514 by the Ottoman Empire. In 1711, Montenegro became independent all but in writing from the Ottomans after numerous rebellions. Venice maintained influence in the territory by appointing their own governor of Montenegro, as seen from this 1717 parchment.

Prince-Bishop Danilo Petrovic helped lead Montenegrins to autonomy in the 18th century.

Traditional Montenegrin garb

The museum is full of captured Ottoman battle standards. Montenegro was finally recognized as an independent state in 1878 as a kingdom, but was the only allied power to disappear after World War 1.

The Cetinje Monastery is of the Serbian Orthodox faith. The Montenegrin Orthodox Church was abolished when Serbia took over the country after World War 1, but was brought back after the fall of Yugoslavia. Serbian and Montenegrin identity is a controversial issue in the country.

Biljarda, the royal residence from 1838 until 1867.

King Nikola's Palace, the royal residence from 1867 until 1918. King Nicholas 1 was known as the father-in-law of Europe because his daughters married the kings of Germany, Italy, Serbia, and Russia.

A statue of a traditional Montenegrin.

The French Embassy, built just before the outbreak of World War 1.