Lifestyle
The old fortress in Niksic, a centuries-old place of struggles, continues to keep the secret of its creation unknown.
While world-renowned archaeologists and historians claimed that the Romans or Goths built the ancient city of Onogost, science did not go along with them and offered concrete proof - during the last survey, a Byzantine coin from the end of the ninth century was found, which may or may not be a confirmation about the age of Bedem, as citizens of Niksic call the fortress.
A coin found earlier which originates from the late ancient times on the west side of Onogost was just a random finding and as such it could not be brought into the context of the age of the walls, experts say.
The town from the Turkish period consisted of the Upper Town (fort) with six towers and the Lower Town which had one tower less. While explorations of the Montenegrin archeologists from 1988 and 2015 have been largely concentrated on the Lower Town, a team of ten experts from the Center for Archeology and Conservation of Montenegro, led by archeologist Mile Bakic, started investigating the Upper Town in March this year, in order to find out whether there are any older remnants beneath the walls that exist today.
But, in researching the fourth century and ancient times, they have encountered a Byzantine coin from the end of the ninth and the beginning of the tenth century. "Unfortunately, we have only deepened the doubts that exist. For now, we have not succeeded in proving or rejecting the claim that Bedem was built in Roman times. We were looking into the fourth century with the old thesis that Anagastum was here. In two places we have found some sort of older wall that, due to the lack of solid evidence, could not be accurately dated. The Byzantine coin we found was from the late ninth to the early tenth century. It is a bronze folis of the Byzantine Emperor Lav VI (ruled from 886 to 912). The coin was not found in the right context, but in the layer of waste from the last phase of the Turks, so it did not clearly show us if there is something from that period, but it pointed out to us that there is a great probability that there is," explains archaeologist Milos Zivanovic.
The coin, as he said, was found on the path to the citadel, so further research will be continued in that area.
"There is a great deal of probability that this coin found itself there because the layers that were underneath were dug up and so it emerged at the top, and not under the Turkish grounds. We are looking for it and we hope to be able to determine its date. The Citadel is the only place where one can expect something older because there are other places on the rock where older material could not be saved. I am completely convinced that these walls are older and we are focusing all our attention to investigating it," said Zivanovic, who found the coin last week.
In addition to the coin, several exhibits from the Turkish period were found interesting from the museum but not the archeological site, which would enrich the setting of the Niksic Museum. These are pipes, coffee cups, a knife handles.
"We saw coffee and tobacco only with the arrival of the Turks. The first finds of these Turkish pipes are from the 17th century, and these pipes found here are from the 19th century and are interesting from the museum side. We also found a small knife-handle, on which there is written the exact date - 8 May 1789," Zivanovic said.
Most of the time during the research, which is funded by the Ministry of Culture, has been taken away by removing the accumulated material.
"After the first removal of waste, we came to original levels from the Turkish period, which are perfectly preserved, which is very important for further ideas on revalorising this site. All the walking paths, a small square, even the original floor in the Dizdar's house, are in very good condition. In these layers, a lot of recent material has been found that speaks enough about the times the Turks were here. At that time, they were very innovative for this whole area, which we can see at the Niksic fortress where we have furnaces with all heating systems, tanks. This fortification was very well designed and served well in the time it was built."
The famous English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, who liberated Niksic in 1877, considered that the Romans built the old town of Onogost in the 3rd or 4th centuries.
Historians Konstantin Jiricek and Milan Suflaj considered that the Goths raised Onogost at the end of the 5th or early 6th centuries and that the city was named after the Gothic Army Commander Anagast.
When it was really built, may be known after the research, or Bedem, which was neither saved by the people nor time, will still keep the secret of its foundation.
Sobajic described the Upper Town in detail
How the Upper Town (Fortress) looked was described in detail by Petar Sobajic in the book "Onogost" from 1938. "The Upper Town was a fortress that still lies on a cliff and stretches about 250 meters in length. The walls of the city are one meter thick, somewhere even two meters and four or more meters high. Everywhere on the walls are loopholes. In the south, there was a pentagonal and three-floored Nebojsa tower, which defended the access to the south side of the city. In the northern part, there is an octagonal tower and behind it, there is a wide platform from which several cannons could operate on all the sides. In the middle of the Upper Town, there are two square-shaped squares, five meters long and wide. In the fort are two buildings, now the walls, and they served as residential apartments of the city’s dizdar and guard. Next to the canons, there is a deep basement buried in the rock and on the vault. Closer to the tower Nebojsa, above Pop, is the second basement where the Turks closed serious prisoners. It was named Petkovaca after the protagonist Petko Kovacevic, who served his sentence there and who the Turks had taken to Mostar and hanged in 1864."
Text by Svetlana Mandic, on May 5th, 2019, read more at Vijesti
May 6, 2019 - Citizens who oppose the militarization of the Sinjajevina Mountain have announced a protest on 19 May at noon. They will gather at the Katun Okrugljak, in front of the Ružica church to require the Ministry of Defense not to build a military training area on the Sava Waters.
Due to increased interest and holidays, the organizing committee of the Seventh Regional Festival of Fantastic Literature "REFESTICON" has decided to extend the deadline for submission of the stories by May 10th. As announced, the deadline will be extended according to the same terms and conditions of the competition, so that interested writers from all over the region will have the opportunity to participate in the competition for the collection titled “Dragon of Vrazji firovi”.
The stories will be anonymously evaluated by an international jury composed of prominent writers and organizers of partner festivals. The organizers added that up to now about one hundred stories were received in the region and for the collection of elementary and high school students.
Terms for the competition:
- It is necessary that the themes relate to the dragon motif, preferably connected to Cave of Vrazji firovi (Djalović's Cave).
- Only unpublished stories (epic or science fiction, fantasy, horror) can be submitted to the competition;
- The action can take place in the past, the present or the future;
- Stories can be written in Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian or Bosnian language, ranging from 3 to 8 pages;
- Text should be sent only by e-mail only to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in Word (font Arial, size 12) with title, author's name and surname, short biography (up to 300 words) and contact information;
- One author may submit only one unpublished story in any form and is liable for its authorship;
- The deadline for sending a story is May 10th, 2019;
- Selected stories are not paid and there are no prizes given to the best one;
- The selection of stories will be conducted by an international jury, while the results will be published before the festival;
- Selected stories will be published in a collection that will premiere at the 7th Regional Festival of Fantastic Literature REFESTICON 2019 held in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro.
Text by radiobijepopolje.me, on May 3rd, 2019, read more at CdM
Montenegro is a heterogeneous, multinational and multicultural country that recognizes the security and the need to respect universal human rights and freedoms in the context of migration, Interior Minister Mevludin Nuhodzic said.
At the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Baku, he pointed out that Montenegro has the principle of "Living together as equals in dignity".
"In Montenegro, we have recognized that our obligation - not only national and political, but also human - is to provide appropriate institutional and legal assistance to the displaced people, and we have launched all the mechanisms to find them a haven without disturbing the stability of the state and region," Nuhodzic said.
As stated, Montenegro has been recognized as a connecting factor and an example of security preservation in the Western Balkans.
Nuhodzic said that Montenegro is respecting security needs, on the one hand, and the need to respect universal human rights and freedoms in the context of migration on the other.
"Montenegro, as a responsible society, shows great sensitivity to the needs of vulnerable persons, striving to legitimize itself in this way as well, as a society of European values and perspectives," Nuhodzic said.
He, as the main speaker in the panel on "Migration, Displacement and Human Security," stated that Montenegro, as a model for European democracy, created its society as an inclusive community in its legislation that understands the reasons and causes for which people are forced to leave their mother countries.
"Montenegro has built an open society that has reduced the level of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance to the smallest possible extent, in the spirit of our multicultural tradition." Montenegro is truly living its diversity," Nuhodzic said.
He stressed that Montenegro was devoted to international efforts to ensure effective management of migration in all dimensions and to support the adoption of a Global Compact for safe, regulated and regular migrations.
Text by MINA News, on May 3rd, 2019, read more at Vijesti
How to be trendy and live up to the present times and respect the principles of faith, whether the determination of the faith of a child from the parents of various religions is a matter of religious or cultural legacy, whether science will continue to provoke religion or science will prevail and become contradictory to religion, are some of the questions of the young people who were in the focus of the panel discussion "Faith in the Youth" at the House of Culture in Bar.
Organized by the NGO "Bar’s Cool Tour ", the questions were answered by Mirceta Sljivancanin, coordinator of the Montenegrin-coastal Metropolitan Katihet’s Committee, the Islamic Community's counselor Reis Hafiz Sulejman Bugari and Don Ivan Vukcevic from the Archdiocese of Bar.
They emphasized that respect, love and dialogue are the essence of faith, for which, as it has been said, "besides the free will that has been given to everyone," the most significant role belongs to the family.
"Be open-minded, but more open-hearted to everyone different from you. Arm yourself with knowledge and love, because the more you get to know each other, the more you become aware of yourself," the panel participants said.
While pointing out that this is "another proof that Bar is a symbol of inter-religious harmony", Ferida Perocevic from the NGO "Bar’s Cool Tour " thanked everyone for the understanding and support of the Montenegrin-coastal Metropolitan, Mejlis of the Islamic Community and the Bishop's Ordinariate.
She pointed out that the initiator of such a dialogue was a pupil from the Gymnasium "Niko Rolovic" Azra Rastoder.
Bar’s religious dignitaries welcomed participants and visitors of the panel.
The archpriest Slobodan Zekovic thanked the youth "as they realized that faith is the cornerstone of the human being and the overall existence".
The main imam of Bar, Muidin ef. Milaimi, said that religious dignitaries from Bar continue the tradition of Bar "and by showing our example to the next generations that we must live together, no matter what our name is and whose confessions we belong to." On behalf of the archbishop of Bar Roko Djonlesaj, don Keljmende Spaci told the youth that faith is "the remedy of souls and bodies" and told them to believe and pray to God "if they want a better and quieter life".
Text by Radomir Petric, on May 4th, 2019, read more at Vijesti
May 5, 2019 - The Chedi Hotel in Lustica Bay is hosting a two-day antique and art fair, bringing together exhibitors from the Balkans. The exhibition presents valuable collections of collectors as well as handicrafts of high artistic value and works by renowned artisans of art and applied art, including the artist from Tivat, Ivica Aranđus.
04 May 2019 - Istanbul painter Renan Ertosun will present her work to the Podgorica public with an exhibition of paintings "Speed, colour and movement". The exhibition will be a showcase for the Turkish artist opening on Monday, May 6 at the exhibition hall of the Cultural and Informational Centre Budo Tomović at 6 pm.
Renan Ertosun paintings put a focus on colours, shapes, and light. She has been painting from a young age, and as she likes to say, her “desire to paint is an unstoppable impulse just like breathing”. Ertosun graduated from the Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy, but she never gave up painting. From 1987, she started working together in the workshops of painters such as Mine Arasan, Bahattin Odabaşı, Yusuf Taktak and Ekrem Kahraman. During the late 90s and early 2000s, she participated in many individuals/joint exhibitions and art fairs both within Turkey and internationally. The artist ensures her works at the studio in Asmalimescit, Beyoglu, Istanbul. Her paintings were exhibited in Autoshow in 2003, in Mercedes-Benz Showroom, Etiler, "Bir İstanbul Masalı" Serial for ATV Television, in various collections both in Turkey and abroad such as TUYAP Art Museum, SAV Automobile Museum, hotels and private collections.
Racing, Formula 1, fast cars, but also yachts and planes are in the focus of her work, and Ertosun focuses on their form, speed, colour, excitement and adrenaline that they symbolize. The motto "speed, colour and movement" become recognizable for her work. Renan developed a contemporary style of painting, featuring a fusion of vibrant colours and light, as well as dynamic brush strokes.
The exhibition at the Cultural Centre Budo Tomović will be open from May 6 to 12.
03 May 2019 - At the end of September 2019, Herceg Novi could host a birthday celebration of the largest carnival family in the world, FECC - Dies Natalis 2019, if the Montenegrin presentation wins over Italy and Macedonia, which also submitted their presentations.
The final decision will be made after the presentation, which will be held at the end of June at the convention of the Federation of European Carnival Cities - FECC, in the Turkish city of Yalova.
The president of the NGO Maškare, Ivan Peulić recently spoke with the members of the International Board of FECC, Budva Municipality President, Marko Bato Carević and representatives of the Tourist Organization of Budva on the topic of following 17th International Travel Carnival Festival.
"Support has certainly come from representatives of the FECC of Montenegro. At the convention in Turkey, we will present Herceg Novi and Montenegro as possible destinations of this event. An official meeting was held today at Hotel Alexander with FECC president Lars Algel. The meeting was also attended by FECC President Montenegro Branko Đurica, Vice President of the International Board of FECC Josip Silov, as well as members of the board Aleksandar Cicimov and Aleksandar Vasović," said Peulić for Radio Jadran.
He is convinced that Herceg Novi could be the host of this event, because there is a great chance for this to happen.
"A good "basis" for this is our jubilee Feast of Mimosa, after which there are plenty of positive impressions, and we must try to design a better programme for this weekend and present Herceg Novi as a desirable destination. The birthday of FECC every year moves to another country. As far as I know now, we have a better impression compared to Italy and Macedonia, and I hope that 25 nations will support the convention." pointed out Peulić.
The Herceg Novi Municipality already accepted the proposal and unofficially supported the candidacy in March during the Mimosa Feast, while the support was provided by the Directorate of the 50th Feast of Mimosa, the President of the Municipality, Stevan Katić and Vice President Miloš Konjević.
"Maškare" are also participating in the 17th International Travel Carnival and 18th Spring Night under Masks.
"The carnival officially began last night, the programme on the streets of Budva, the restaurant and cafes that were full of food. Abrum was led by Carnival Director Marija Pjerotić and a delegation from the International Board of FECC. The carnival atmosphere already staggered last night with numerous masks that continued the party in the old town's streets. "Satiri" is one of 72 carnival groups from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro," concluded Peulić.
At 7.30 PM a large carnival rally from the main Post Office to the Square of the Painter is planned, and at 11.30 PM "The Carnival Show" is scheduled. Programme leaders and hosts will be members of The Books of Books.
Milica Boca from Herceg Novi, with her brother Dragisa and sister Bojana, organized a cleaning action at nine locations in Herceg Novi and its surroundings this winter.
With friends and anyone interested in making the city cleaner, they collected waste in Ratisevina, cleaned Mojdeš road, the beach and park under Tito's villa, the viewpoint on Podi, the road to Zvinjama and more.
It all began in February when Milica saw dumped plastic bags around the local road Suscepan - Ratisevina where she walked on her way to work. The three of them organized and purchased bags, gloves, dressed accordingly and started the action.
"We were surprised by the amount of garbage. Because of the overgrown vegetation we could not see the extent of the waste that had formed along the way for years. Most of it consisted of baby diapers, but also plastic furniture, car parts, tires, refrigerators," says Milica.
They were joined by other fellow citizens later on.
"One guy came by bike from Zelenika to clean the area around Suscepan," says Milica.
In a few days, they acquired a waste truck that the Workers of Cleaning Service drove to the dump.
"When this area was cleaned, somehow it forced us to clean up some of the other sites in our municipality, places where the workers from the Cleaning service “do not reach”. In addition to our friends, the following actions were attended by people of different ages and various professions, including the students of the Faculty of Management, senior members of the Dance Club “Diano”. We all share the same opinion that civic activism can contribute to better living conditions," says Milica, and points out that they are apolitical and do not want to be put on any "side".
They are not even discouraged that in some places they have cleaned, disrespectful citizens throw away garbage again.
"I do not think penalties would solve the problem of waste disposal. Raising ecological awareness, fostering civic activism and education, especially in schools and among young people, are a better way," says Milica.
She thinks that there is a general lack of civic initiatives and non-political actions.
An eternal lover of nature, optimist, Milica will soon organize the jubilee tenth action. During the summer she will take a break, and in the autumn she will again get engaged in cleaning the environment.
She is also convinced that with the actions, a circle of positive energy is being spread, and she is ready to "clean all of Montenegro".
Milica graduated at the Faculty of Management and works in the family firm “Sky Clock” as an assistant in the administration. She has a wide circle of interests, and the love for nature and the need to contribute to its preservation she inherited from her parents.
"I watched my mother always ready to clean the space around the house and take part in similar actions," points out Milica.
Text by Slavica Kosic, on May 2nd 2019, read more at Vijesti
Activists and nature lovers, led by Zeljko Starcevic, continued to arrange the Kotobilj spring, which is located on an ancient pedestrian route connecting Herceg Novi with the hinterland.
In the storm that occurred in Herceg Novi in early December last year, this area was also damaged - it was covered with large amounts of mud that were deposited from the floods and the vegetation was destroyed.
"We have now set up semi-pipes for draining rainwater with the support of “Water supply and sewage system”, and at the end of winter, the “Utility housing service” cleaned the floods from the basin, after which the volunteers built a stone wall around the plateau as a protection from the torrents”, said Starcevic adding that the plateau was expanded with the furniture and re-planted rosemary.
This site is located near the place where Kotobilj Battle took place, and although there is still no memorial, Starcevic hopes it will be placed exactly on the resort area which is being restored.
The spring was arranged in 1884, at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, when the stone benches and water troughs were installed.
It was seriously damaged one century later when it was buried with waste material from the then local quarry. Then in 2002, it was again restored by volunteers, specifically by the members of PK "Subra", so that in 2006, when breaking a new route to Trebinje, it was cut off from this communication and the old pedestrian road to Kameno. Through the large water drain under a new road, a walkway has been made, and the stairs are completed in the extension. The space was completed in 2016 through the project "Developing Low Carbonic Tourism in Montenegro" and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Kotobilj Battle – On September 15th, 1687, commenced the liberation of Herceg Novi from the long-lasting power of the Ottoman Empire.
The army made up of Herzegovinians, Montenegrins, Venetians, Kotor police and local insurgents, surprised and defeated the Army of Hussein Topal Pasa, thus preventing it from gaining strength in the Turkish army in Herceg Novi.
Fifteen days later, Herceg Novi was liberated.
Kotobilj is a place of special importance for citizens of Herceg Novi, and it is also found in Njegos's piece "Mountain Wreath".
Text by Slavica Kosic, on May 3rd 2019, read more at Vijesti
The Old Town and Citadela in Budva became part of a new tourist route that promotes the Balkan Fortress as some of the most important cultural and historical attractions in the region.
This, so far underrepresented and modernized fort, is becoming more visible for all tourists who are interested in the historical and cultural heritage of the Balkans thanks to the project "Creative History Balkans Tour" (CHBT).
The project, launched by EXIT Foundation with the support of the European Union and the Council for Regional Cooperation, aims to brand and promote four historic fortresses in four Balkan countries, relying on the creative industries and cultural heritage: the Old Town of Budva in Montenegro; Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia; Fortress Kastel in Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and the Fortress Rozafa in Skadar, Albania.
In Budva, the first one in a series of events, was the launch of this initiative, and at the same time, a unique internet platform was presented, which will present cultural pearls of the Balkans' cultural heritage to the tourists around the world in a creative and contemporary way.
At the presentation of the project today in Budva, President of the UO Exit Foundation Ivan Petrovic emphasized that the Balkans possesses an extremely rich cultural heritage, which needs branding and contemporary promotion through the creative industries, as well as preservation and sustainability through the development of cultural tourism.
"The EXIT team believes and works to make the Balkans one of the most attractive regions of the world in the field of tourism and creative industries. With this project we want to present to millions of tourists around the world that this region is a cradle and a meeting place for numerous civilizations that have existed in this area in the past," said Petrovic.
The project "Creative History Balkans Tour" leads to the creation, promotion, and development of a regional tourist product innovatively, using a specialized internet platform that will attract new generations. Presenting the most beautiful legends and myths, discovering the history of these everlasting fortresses and developing their tourism potential through attractive internet contents will contribute to the Balkan’s tourism and economic growth.
Dr. Predrag Zenovic in front of the Municipality Budva believes that this project will open bridges between societies and states and their once, it seemed, irreconcilable past.
"Citadela in Budva is, for example, is the site of the ancient acropolis, once the seat of Zeta metropolis, and later the Austro-Hungarian military fort. Fortresses represent testimonies of past times, but their relation to the present space represents the creators of the creative and the place of art exchange," Zenovic said and added that the Budva Municipality's Management Service as one of its priorities aims to valorize the fortification architecture in Budva and its surroundings, and that the project "Creative History Balkan Tour" is an excellent guide.
For the academic sculptor Jelena Papovic from Budva, the Old Town is a special place because it is precisely where she creates artworks and believes that staying in old fortresses gives the privilege of living in a time-machine and every stone represents a portal into a new world.
"Enhanced sensitivity of the artist can summon the energy of such a place and transform the timelessness of artwork into eternity. That's why we may seem to be romantic and emotionally carried away to those who know that we are going through the same streets many times and we are thrilled all over again with the balconies, the drawings of time in the stone, the rooftops’ games and the blue sky," Papovic said.
At the promotion of the project "Creative History Balkans Tour" the audience was presented a new approach of affirming the Old Town of Budva, one of the most important and most remarkable fortifications in the Balkans.
Text by Vijesti online, on May 3rd 2019, read more at Vijesti
Remax Property of the Week
Editorial
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07 Mar 2018, 08:08 AMWelcome to Total Montenegro News!
Interview of the week
- 09 Nov 2020, 20:21 PM
Ranka Vukasovic Botica on Montenegro as a Maritime Country
