Cetinje Monastery

Cetinje, Montenegro

The Serbian Orthodox Cetinje Monastery was founded between 1701 and 1704 by Prince-Bishop Danilo I on the site of the former court of Ivan Crnojević (founded 1485).

Cetinje was attacked by Ottomans on 25 September 1692. Instead of fighting, Venetians entered negotiations, and reached an agreement to abandon the monastery under honorable terms. However, they mined a monastery with a time bomb, which set of in the evening hours, right after Venetians retreated and as the Ottomans were victoriosly entering the monastery, killing many of them in the process.

Vladika Danilo re-established the monastery in 1701 or 1704 and added a tablet with the coat of arms of the Crnojević family, and a dedication to Ivan Crnojević. Before 1714, it was burnt, and then it was reconstructed yet again around 1743 by Metropolitan Sava Petrović Njegoš. Cetinje became again the center of spiritual, cultural and political life of the Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro.

The last time monastery was devastated was in 1785, when Mahmud Pasha Bushati sacked Cetinje. Ultimately defeated at Battle of Krusi, his decapitated head is since then kept as a relic in the monastery. It has been built on several times, the current appearance dates to 1927. The original site of the monastery, known as Ćipur was used in 1886 by Prince Nicholas of Montenegro for his Court church. The position of the newly built church follows the lineup of the original one from inside the monastery complex. Today its ruin along with couple of pillars can be seen.

There are several relics in the monastery: remains of St. Peter of Cetinje, right hand of John the Baptist, particles of the True Cross, icon of the Philermos Mother of God, royal crown of Serbian king Stephen Uroš III Dečanski, among others.

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Founded: 1701-1704
Category: Religious sites in Montenegro

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Alex Shpuling (4 months ago)
Cetinje Monastery is a fascinating and historically rich site, and I highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area. The monastery holds significant cultural and religious importance in Montenegro, and walking through its grounds offers a glimpse into the country’s deep-rooted heritage. The architecture is beautiful and well-preserved, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it a great place for reflection. Inside, you can find sacred relics and valuable artifacts that speak to the monastery’s long history. While the site itself is not very large, it’s still worth a visit, especially for those interested in history and spirituality. The surrounding town of Cetinje also has a charming, old-world feel, making it a great place to explore before or after your visit to the monastery. Overall, Cetinje Monastery is a must-see if you’re nearby, and it’s a great stop to understand more about Montenegro’s cultural and religious past.
TheGeorg278 (5 months ago)
Beautiful monastery, although I didn't really dare to go in because of my short trousers. So, even though it says 'beauty comes from the inside', here it's also clearly visible from the outside.
Festina Lente (5 months ago)
Nice Monastery. Free entry but you should cover your shoulders and knees. Atmospheric park nearby. You are not allowed to take photos inside the Monastery.
Mohamed Aslam (6 months ago)
This monastery is a very beautiful and serene place, definitely worth a visit. Please note that it's a religious site, so you'll be asked to dress modestly, avoid carrying cameras, and refrain from smoking. Inside, there's a souvenir shop where you can purchase mementos.
Bojan Benko (6 months ago)
I didn't know much about this monastery, it was a random visit and then it blew my mind. This place keeps the right hand of the St. John the Baptist ( Sv. Jovan krstitelj) and they have the second largest parts of the cross on which one the Jesus was crucified. Monastery is old and looks very nice. Definitely the place to visit.
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