Podgorica
From Freepedia
| Podgorica | |||||
| |||||
| Mayor | Dr. Miomir Mugosa | ||||
| Area - city - municipality | km² 1,399 km² | ||||
| Population - city - municipality | 136,473 169,132 | ||||
| Time zone | CET (UTC +1) | ||||
| Founded | 14th Century | ||||
| Latitude Longitude | 42°47' N 19°28' E | ||||
| Area code | +381 81 | ||||
| Car plates | PG | ||||
| Official Website | |||||
Podgorica (Подгорица) (formerly Titograd and Ribnica) is the capital of Montenegro and the judicial capital of Serbia and Montenegro, located
at 42.47° N 19.28° E, 44 m above sea level. A census in 2003 put the population at 136,473. The favourable geographical position of Podgorica, at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers, has made the city an attractive location for settlement. The city is situated only a few kilometers from winter ski centers in the north, while to the south the Adriatic sea is also close at hand. The city's location significantly influenced its rapid development.
The name literally means "under the Gorica" in Serbian; Gorica (meaning "little mount") is the name of one the hills that overlooks the town. The city was known as Doclean in pre-Roman and Roman times. In the Middle ages, the town was known as Ribnica, and between 1945 and 1992 it was called Titograd. Podgorica is home to several theatres, libraries and a university.
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History
Podgorica is located at the crossroads of several important route directions that lead down here just along valleys of the rivers Zeta, Moraca and Cijevna, in the ravine of Skadar lake and in the vicinity of the Adriatic Sea, in the fertile lowland with favorable climate conditions. Since ancient times this area was very suitable for establishment of human settlements. As the result, settlements existed here even in the prehistoric age. The oldest remains of material culture on this area belong to the late Stone Age. Further development enabled the growth of organized human settlement that would outlive many events. During the Illyrian age the area of Zeta and Bjelopavlici ravine was inhabited by members of two Illyrian tribes - Labeati and Dokleati, that directly influenced the genesis of local settlements.
Labeati inhabited the area from Skadar to nowadays Podgorica. They had their own fortress Meteon, today Medun, and developed organization of life, especially military one.
Dokleats as well inhabited the valley of the river Zeta and thanks to the fertile plain and favorable geographical and road position, experienced fast economic growth. Their biggest settlement was Duklja. The city was situated about three kilometers northwest from today’s Podgorica. From the urban point of view, Duklja was adapted to the terrain configuration. At that time it was a big city, with 8 – 10 thousand inhabitants, in which all core urban issues were resolved. Relatively high density of population, on the area that had barely over ten kilometers in radius, was conditioned by geographical position, favorable climate, economic conditions and defense positions that were of great importance at that time.
Starting from the V century, since the arrival of the first Slavic and Avar tribes and the beginning of the break up of the Roman Empire, many substantial events happened on this area. The existing fortifications ceased to function, and new towns were created. Duklja was tore down. Slavic groups that inhabited the area were in constant fights with Byzantium and tended to establish a new state. The result of the turmoil was establishment of a new settlement – Ribnica, that was probably named after the river Ribnica on the banks of which it was erected. The first mention of Ribnica is related to the period of rule of Nemanjici. Geographical position conditioned route importance of Ribnica, as the crossroads of main road directions enabled connection of these areas with the West. When they finally inhabited these areas, the Slavs, by creating a new state, started developing their own culture and art. That culture was acceptable to the medieval church and feudal class.
The name of Podgorica is mentioned for the first time in 1326 in one court document of the Kotor archive. Podgorica, i.e. earlier Ribnica, was economically strong. Merchant connections between Dubrovnik and the State of Nemanjici, well developed at that time, were maintained over the road that led through Trebinje and Niksic to Podgorica. As it was sited on the busiest crossroads, Podgorica was the center of very vivid flow of goods, merchants, messengers and other passengers that augmented to its development, economic power, military strength and strategic importance. Turkish occupation of Podgorica in 1474 interrupted economic, cultural and artistic rise of the city. The Turks built up a huge fortress in Podgorica and the existing settlement with highly developed merchant connections turned into the main defensive and attacking bastion against the rebellious tribes. The fortified city, with towers, gates and defensive ramparts, enabled the Turks resisted all attacks.
Pursuant to the decision of the Berlin Congress in 1878, Podgorica was integrated in Montenegro. That marked the end of four centuries long Turkish occupation and the beginning of new era in the development of Podgorica and Montenegro. The city has developed relatively fast and grew into strong market. First forms of capital concentration started to show up. In 1904 the first significant financial institution was formed – Zetska savings bank that would soon grow into Podgoricka bank. Roads to all neighboring towns were constructed, and in 1902 Podgorica got the first significant commercial company - tobacco plant.
In the period between the two wars Podgorica counted around 13,000 residents.
In the World War 2 it was bombarded over 70 times and was devastated to the grounds. It paid tribute of about 4,100 victims, and was liberated on December 19, 1944.
Under the name of Titograd, on July 13, 1946, it becomes the capital of the Republic. That marked the beginning of new life. In the period that followed a general transformation of the town was realized. Material, personnel and scientific – technical potential was increased, education experienced strong growth, many new cultural and health institutions were founded, and by modern roads and air connections the city became connected to the rest of the state and foreign countries. Titograd thus became commercial, social-economic and cultural center of Montenegro.
The name of Podgorica was reinstated on April 2, 1992.
Population
Podgorica is by far the largest city in Montenegro, with almost one third of Montenegrins living there. There are around 170,000 people in Podgorica municipality, which includes the small towns of Tuzi and Golubovci, and around 140,000 people in the city itself.
The majority of the citizens are ethnically Montenegrins, comprising 56.64% of the population in 2003. The second largest ethnic group, at 26.27% are Serbs, followed by Albanians at 5.5% and Muslims at 2,6%. No other ethnic group, including Bosniaks, Roma and others, reaches 2%.
Population of Podgorica:
Economy
Besides being the political center of Montenegro, Podgorica is also its main economic engine. Much of Montenegro's industrial base is situated in and around Podgorica, including aluminium and tobacco processing, textile industry and many more. Much of the economic activities of Podgorica are small-scale.
The Montenegro Stock Exchange, founded in 1993, substantially contributed to the privatization of state-owned companies.
Transport
The main transit road connections are:
- north (E 65, E 80), towards Belgrade, and on to Central Europe
- west (E 762), towards Niksic, Bosnia, and on to Western Europe
- south (E 65, E 80), towards Adriatic coast
- east (E 762), towards Albania
All the main roads in Montenegro are two-laned only, and often not very well maintained; efforts are been made to begin construction of a modern highway, to connect the north part of the Montenegro with Podgorica, and on to the Adriatic sea. The present road which connects Podgorica with the north of the country, and with Serbia, is considered very dangerous, especially during the winter.
The newly built tunnel Sozina, 4 km long and a very modern tunnel, even by European standards, shortens the journey from Podgorica to Bar, Montenegro's main sea port, to under half an hour.
- International Airport: TGD / Golubovci
The airport is situated 12 km south of the city, and a new terminal building is currently under construction. There are regular flights from Podgorica to Belgrade, Budapest, Zurich, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, Paris, Rome and Vienna.
Public transportation is covered by buses, but they are unreliable and often late, so very well organized taxi service is major choice of Podgorica citizens.
Sights
St. George's church (10th century), on the slopes of the Gorica hill is a place to visit. Old turkish town called "Stara varos", along with it's mosques and old clock tower, is also authentic Podgorica's piece of [architecture, and a place worth seeing.
Because Podgorica was almost completely destroyed during World War 2 bombardment, lot of it's old architecture is gone also, but in recent years some new landmarks are emerging, such as 34 m tall "Hristovog vaskrsenja" orthodox temple, and recently completed Millennium Bridge, which already became a symbol of the city.
Great park surrounding King Nikola's castle, hill Gorica, "Skaline"(the stairs) on the outfall of the Ribnica river to Moraca, Mareza resort - are all great places to relax and take a pleasent walk.
Architecture
Architecture in Podgorica is wildly varying. Old parts of town, "Stara Varos"(meaning literally "Old town") and "Drac" are perfect examples of Turkish architecture, with narrow curvy streets. After World war 2, devastated Podgorica(Titograd back then) was troughtly rebuilt. New blocks of buildings were erected, which were built in soc-realistic style. These blocks, uninventive and gray, are known as "commieblocks", as they were built during the reign of communist regime.
In last decade, Podgorica's face has changed dramatically. New blocks of modern buildings have arose, giving Podgorica a more contemporary and european look. Newly completed Millennium Bridge added much to the Podgorica skyline, with its 57 m high pylon.
Sport
Podgorica is home to many sport clubs. Most recognizable are Buducnost football and Buducnost basketball clubs. There are also karate, volleyball, handball, boxing, and other clubs named "Buducnost", so "Buducnost" is first association with a sport club in Podgorica. Other football clubs situated in Podgorica are FC Decic (Tuzi), FC Zeta (Golubovci), FC Crvena stijena, FC Ribnica, FC Graficar, FC Mladost...
- Sport venues:
- "FC Buducnost" stadium, when completed will have capacity of 24,000
- "Moraca" sports centre, with large hall capacity of 5,000. It hosted one group of EuroBasket 2005, while other games were played in Belgrade, Vrsac and Novi Sad.
Other sport venues includes "Malih sportova" stadium and tennis courts, both under the Gorica hill, sport shooting range under the Ljubovic hill, and many more smaller stadiums and fields...
