National Library of Montenegro "Djurdje Crnojevic", National library in Cetinje, Montenegro
The National Library of Montenegro "Djurdje Crnojevic" is the main public library of the country, housed in two former embassy buildings in the old capital Cetinje. Its collections cover books, newspapers, manuscripts, audio recordings, and sheet music.
The library was founded in 1893 by King Nikola I as a tribute to Montenegro's long printing tradition. Over the 20th century it grew into a national institution and moved into its current buildings in Cetinje.
The library takes its name from Đurađ Crnojević, a ruler who set up one of the first printing presses in the Balkans in the late 15th century. Visitors interested in the history of printing can find original materials from that early period among the collections.
The collections are split between two locations in Cetinje, so it is worth checking in advance which one holds the materials you are looking for. Both buildings are in the city center and easy to reach on foot.
The library holds a substantial archive of sheet music and audio recordings, which goes well beyond what most national libraries keep. This makes it one of the few places in the region where sound documents and printed music are preserved together.
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