Cetinje

Cetinje, city, Montenegro, historical capital of Montenegro. It lies 2,198 feet (670 metres) above sea level on the Cetinje plateau, surrounded by peaks and at the foot of Mount Lovćen (5,738 feet [1,749 metres]). The city’s name derives from the river, the Cetina (or Cetinja). The monastery at Cetinje became the seat of the prince-bishops, or vladike, theocratic rulers of Montenegro, from 1516 to 1851. The Montenegrins constantly battled the Turks and Albanians, and Cetinje was overrun by Turkish forces in 1692, 1714, and 1785. On the first occasion the defendants of the monastery fired the gunpowder supply, destroying the monastery, themselves, and many Turks.

The monastery, restored in 1701 and after 1785, is well preserved; it contains manuscripts, relics, and the first book printed (1493) in the South Slav countries. Vlaška Church (1450) has a railing made from captured Turkish rifles. The Biljarda Castle (1838, restored 1951) was the residence of the great poet-ruler Peter II (vladika of Montenegro 1830–51), who is entombed atop Mount Lovćen. The Njegoš Museum contains part of his private library and art collection. The National Museum of Montenegro (founded 1890) is in a former palace built in 1867.

From 1878 to 1918 Cetinje was the capital of independent Montenegro, as well as its cultural centre; it passed to Yugoslavia in 1918. In 1946 Cetinje was succeeded as the capital of Montenegro by Titograd (now Podgorica). Local industries produce footwear and process paper and bauxite. Pop. (2011) 16,657.