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The video presents the summary of the our tour guided by a local guide through Cetinje, the historical capital of Montenegro. We are acquainted with the history, spirituality and culture of Montenegrins by reviewing the main historical buildings and the personalities that inhabited them. The tour, like a time machine, opens a legendary world, ended a century ago.
At the end of the 15th century, under pressure from Turkish and Venetian invaders, Ivan Crnojević, religious and political leader, moved the country's capital to Cetinje, a natural fortified place at the foot of the Lovćen Mountains (Black, hence the name of the country). The princes court was built in 1482, and in 1484 the Crnojević fortified monastery was completed, in which his son, Đurađ Crnojević, will set up the first printing house of the southern Slavs. The court and the monastery will be completely destroyed by the Turks in 1692. Cetinje will begin to shine again under the leadership of bishop Danilo Petrović Njegoš, founder of the Petrović dynasty (with 7 rulers from 1697-1918, 5 of them being "Vladika" = bishop) but also builder (1701-1704) of the imposing Cetinje Monastery. Despite being devastated by the Turks several times, the monastic complex has been rebuilt and expanded each time, becoming the center of Montenegro's cultural, spiritual and political life. The church of the monastery houses the relics of Saint Peter of Cetinje, of the bishop-ruler Danilo Petrović Njegoš (the founder of the monastery) and of the Grand Duke Mirko, the father of King Nikola I Petrovic. Also, in the monastery museum is the hand of St. John the Baptist and a part of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. After Danilo Petrović Njegoš followed Sava Petrović Njegoš, Vasilije Petrović Njegoš, Petar I Petrović Njegoš, Petar II Petrović Njegoš, Danilo I Petrović Njegoš (he separates the ecclesiastical function from the political one, becoming Prince of Montenegro Petrov) and finally Nikola I Petrović Njegoš. Under Petar II Petrovic Njegoš (1813-1851; ruler, bishop, poet, philosopher) Cetinje, but also Montenegro know important modernizations and also from him remained the Biljard Palace (Museum), bringing the first billiard table in Cetinje. The last of the dynasty's list, but perhaps most important, is Nikola I Mirkov Petrović Njegoš (1841 - 1921), who reigned as sovereign prince (1860-1910) and then as king (1910-1918). Not only did Nikola I show great political skills, playing an important role on the European political scene, but he was also a profound reformer (administration, culture) of the country. Montenegro was recognized as an independent state at the Berlin Congress in 1878. Nikola I practically rebuilt (urbanized) Cetinje in the form we see today (the historical city), the former palaces and embassies now becoming cultural institutions. Nikola I also closes a historical cycle by building in 1886 the Ćipur Church (with the role of princes chapel) exactly on the ruins of the former monastery built in 1484 by Ivan Crnojević, the founder of the city. Exiled after the First World War, his and his wife's remains will be re-buried with all honors in 1989 in this church (Ćipur). In 1942, Josip Broz Tito, the communist leader of Yugoslavia, moved the capital of Montenegro from Cetinje to Titograd (today Podgorica).
Our quick tour through the historical part of Cetinje city points to the following objectives: Ćipur Church, Cetinje Monastery, Biljard Palace (Museum) of Petar II Petrovic Njegoš, Palace (Museum) of King Nikola I Petrović Njegoš, Ethnographic Museum (former Serbian Embassy), the former Girls' School, the Music Academy (the former embassy of Great Britain) and the Blue Palace (residence of the Crown Prince Danilo I, now the seat of the Montenegro presidency). Unfortunately, we did not see the Vlaska Church (Vlach's Church), which we, the Romanians, would be interested in, the church being built at 1450 by the Vlachs ("Romanians") shepherds, now disappeared population.

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