Podgorica, Capital city in central Montenegro
Podgorica is the capital in central Montenegro, spreading across the valley where two rivers meet and forested hills rise in the background. Streets connect modern building complexes with older quarters, where low houses form narrow lanes.
Foundation as a Roman settlement in the fifth century marked the beginning, before Ottomans ruled the region for centuries and left traces in architecture and city layout. After heavy destruction during World War II, the city was rebuilt as capital of the socialist republic.
The two rivers divide the city into different quarters, each showing its own character and reflecting different ways of living. Cafés along the riverbanks draw locals in the evening, who gather there over coffee or wine to talk and wind down their day.
Wide boulevards make orientation easier in the center, while smaller streets in outlying areas require patience. Summer brings heat to the river valley, so early morning or late afternoon works best for exploring.
Remains of Ottoman bridges sit hidden in parks and along riverbanks, often overlooked by visitors focused on newer structures. These stone arched bridges show the building skills of earlier centuries and offer quiet spots to linger.
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