Turkish presence in Podgorica

 

The city has a diverse range of architectural influence, and this is partly due to the turbulent history of the capital. As one regime rose and was subsequently toppled, the remnants of the old rule were eradicated by the new rulers, who also set about erecting new buildings in their own style in order to try and wipe all traces of previous rulers from the city landscape. There is a large amount of Turkish architecture in Podgorica, as the area was part of Ottoman rule right up until 1878, and visitors to the old parts of the city will see evidence of this with typical Turkish winding streets, two mosques and a Turkish clock tower in the old parts of Podgorica. The city took a battering during World War II, when the region was bombed a massive 70 times; however, tourism has not been affected by this, as many of the region’s important buildings were tirelessly rebuilt time and time again.

  

The Ribnica River was chosen for its special importance in the cultural memory of Podgorica and its significance in creating the city’s cultural identity. In its past, Podgorica relied on the Ribnica geographically and culturally to a much greater extent than it does today. Although this settlement became known as Podgorica in the 14th century, it came to be known during the following centuries as “the town on the Ribnica,” including during the long period when Podgorica was under Ottoman control (1474 – 1878). During that time, the city was strongly influenced by Islam, an imprint still visible in the town’s contemporary culture today. The Ribnica River represents the very core of old Podgorica’s identity, as a motif and “the town’s heart,” and appears in oral tradition, numerous anecdotes and traditional Podgorican songs that have a distinctive oriental influence.  

Islamic influence was reflected in all cultural manifestations of this territory. Medieval art, embodied only in architecture and painting of smaller churches was the only equivalent to the Turkish wave, which left little, characteristic, important material, culturally – historical, and architectonic monuments. From the 5 century domination of the Turks we have Vezirov most (VIZIRE’S BRIDGE) on Moraca, which was ruined in 1944 when the Germans were leaving the town, and mosques of Glavatovici and Osmanagici. The greatest part of the manuscript literature is of a religious character with ornament details, in Turkish and Arabic language. The greatest part of the churches were ruined by the Tursk, and the people renewed them starting from the XVIII century. During the Turkish reign in Podgorica there was a school for Muslim children, and the Christian citizenship only in the last decade of the XVIII got the permit for the opening of the primary school. From this period with its significance and beauty stands out the Turkish bath – Banja (SPA), on the banks of Ribnica, which currently is the meeting place of the intellectuals and artists, and devotees of the book