Stara Varoš, Ottoman quarter in Podgorica, Montenegro.
Stara Varoš is an Ottoman-era quarter in Podgorica featuring narrow streets with stone houses, jewelry shops, and local restaurants connected by pedestrian pathways. The district forms a distinct enclave where buildings reflect Turkish architectural influences from centuries past.
The quarter developed during Ottoman rule in the 15th century around a fortress and took shape through its stone structures. Many buildings suffered damage in World War II, yet the core of the old quarter remained intact.
Two Ottoman mosques and the Sahat Kula clock tower stand in the quarter, showing how Turkish settlers shaped the local architecture. Visitors walking these streets encounter the religious and craft traditions that still define the neighborhood today.
Visitors can access the quarter through several entry points, with parking available near the Ribnica River and the Natural History Museum. The narrow streets are easy to explore on foot but offer little shade on hot days.
The Old Ribnica Bridge, built during Ottoman times, connects both sides of the historic quarter and shows the engineering skill of that era. Many visitors overlook this bridge, despite it being one of the city's oldest stone crossings.
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