Podgorica: The Capital City of Montenegro That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Overview: Podgorica is a peculiar blend of old and new, a city where skyscrapers stand tall next to Ottoman-era buildings, where the weather is hot and dry in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter, and where the Montenegrin language (which sounds like a mix of Russian and Italian) is spoken alongside English and Serbian. But despite being the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica is often overlooked by tourists in favor of more well-known destinations like Dubrovnik or Kotor. Poor Podgorica, always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
Etymology: The name “Podgorica” means “under the small hill” in Montenegrin, which is both an accurate description of the city’s topography and a polite way of saying “we couldn’t come up with anything better”.
History: Unlike many European cities that can trace their roots back to ancient Rome or Greece, Podgorica’s history is relatively recent. The city was founded in the 11th century as a small settlement near the confluence of two rivers, but it didn’t become an important center of trade and culture until the 20th century. Podgorica has been fought over and ruled by various powers over the years, including the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, but it has also been the site of many peaceful protests and demonstrations for democracy and human rights.
Culture: Podgorica is known for its vibrant nightlife, which includes plenty of bars, restaurants, and clubs. The city also hosts several annual festivals, such as the Podgorica International Book Fair (which is hilariously underattended), the Montenegro Film Festival (which is a great opportunity to see obscure arthouse films that you’ll never be able to watch again), and the Beer Fest (which is a chance to try Montenegrin beer, which is surprisingly good). The local cuisine features lots of meat, cheese, and bread, so if you’re a vegetarian or gluten-free, you’ll probably have a tough time finding something to eat.
Landmarks: Podgorica has a few notable landmarks, such as the Millennium Bridge (which is a pedestrian bridge that lights up at night and looks like a UFO), the Clock Tower (which is one of the oldest buildings in the city and has been renovated so many times that it’s now just a replica of itself), and the Museum of Natural History (which has a stuffed bear that kids love to climb on). There’s also a large park called Gorica that’s popular with joggers and picnickers, and a shopping mall called Delta City that’s popular with… well, nobody really.
Fun Facts: - Podgorica is one of the few capital cities in Europe that doesn’t have a McDonald’s (although it does have a KFC, which is arguably worse). - The Montenegrin national football team has never qualified for the World Cup, which means that Podgorica has never hosted a World Cup match. (Yet.) - Podgorica is not pronounced “pahd-goh-REE-kah”, as you might think. It’s actually pronounced “POH-doh-REE-tsa”. Good luck with that.
Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for a city that’s off the beaten path and full of surprises (both good and bad), then Podgorica is the place for you. Sure, it may not have the glamour or fame of other European capitals, but sometimes it’s the underdogs that are the most interesting. Plus, where else can you take a selfie with a bear and a UFO in the same day?