Zdravo! Welcome to Podgorica!

Literally, Podgorica means 'under the Gorica' (Gorica means a 'little mountain' in the Serbian language). This quaint name derives from the fact that a hill overlooks the city.

In the pre-Roman and Roman regime, there was a town called Doclea lying about three kilometres northwest of Podgorica. The Emperor of Rome, Diocletian, is supposed to have hailed from this area. Later, the Romans 'hyper-corrected' the name Doclea to Dioclea. They assumed (quite wrongly) that an 'I' had been lost over the years to varying speech patterns.

'Duklja' is a later Slavic variant of this word. When Podgorica was first established before the 11th century, it was named Birziminium. During the Middle Ages, before 1326, it came to be known as Ribnica. Later, from 1946 to 1992, it was called Titograd.

Podgorica has emerged as the administrative centre of Montenegro. Located along the banks of six rivers - Moraca, Zeta, Ribnica, Sitnica, Cijevna and Mareza - today, Podgorica has all the makings of a well-developed European city. Tourists pour into Podgorica, especially during the summer months when Podgorica becomes a launching pad to explore the hightlights of Montenegro or to take a tour of Podgorica.

Since large portions of the city were completely ruined during the Second World War, it had to be rebuilt. So, Podgorica is a comparatively new city. Modern Podgorica hotels and buildings, parks and green spaces blend to give the town a prosperous and progressive air.

However, in spite of this apparent modernity, the seal of tradition lingers imperceptibly. Walk through Hercegovacka Street, and you cannot help but admire this harmonious blend of the old and the new.

Almost two thousand years back, the Roman and Illyrian town of Birziminium was situated near the mouth of the Moraca and Ribnica rivers. The remains of the ancient town of Duklja are found at the confluence of the Zeta and Moraca rivers.

In 1326, Podgorica was christened after the hill ‘Gorica', found in the north. Then, from 1946 to 1992, it went by the official title of Titograd. To see Podgorica in all its ancient glory, visit the Varos settlement. The clock tower of Sat-kula, resembling a lighthouse, is a prominent landmark in the city and just one of the many highlights you can see and explore on a Podgorica tour .

Just like so many other capitals, Podgorica too is a friendly place. With a population of just over 169,100 people, a tourist quickly senses the warmth and hospitality of this pro-European city; in the friendly smiles on the faces of the Podgorica hotel staff, locals in the market place and children passing by.

From 5 pm onwards, cars are banned from commuting between Slobode (the Freedom Street) and Marka Miljanova and this area is transformed into a pedestrian zone for shoppers.

If you decide to take a stroll around Podgorica, you are bound to make some exciting discoveries. You will love experiencing the bustle around the National Theatre and Parliament. Yet another sight you'll treasure is that of Lenin Boulevard, transformed into a sports area for children and teenagers. If you get lost finding your way again, will be easy as transport in Podgorica is readily available.

Home to numerous cultural events and institutions, Podgorica houses many museums and galleries. It also plays host to the famous Montenegrin National Theatre, the Puppet Theatre, the Children's Theatre and the City Theatre. There are many smaller theatre troupes as well.

Other prime historical and cultural monuments include the ruins of Nemanjica Grad, the Sahat-kula Adzi-pasa Osmanagica, Vezirov, Stara Varos and the remains of Doclea. Podgorica is also well connected to other important centres.

Though Podgorica's museums can hardly compete with those of Cetinje, Montenegro's ‘historic royal capital', its galleries and museums are still worth visiting. Marko Miljanov's Musuem, the Podgorica City Museum, and the Natural History Museum are notable. Art lovers will certainly cherish the art galleries of Perjanički dom (the Honour Guard's House) and the Dvorac Petrovića (Castle of Petrović).

Podgorica is only 44 meters above the sea level. About one hundred kilometres away lie various coastal resorts as well as the charming winter resort of Bjelasica. So, a mere two-hour drive can replace water skiing with skiing on snow!

The Scadar Lake is also quite close by. Along with the sun drenched Zetska valley, the sight certainly inspires you into thinking that you've just stepped into the Garden of Eden!

The climate favours the production of premium wines like the Procorden and Vranac. Podgorica is also renowned for its grape brandy or rakija, which is often called the "water of life" by enthusiastic admirers.

Finding accommodation is rather easy. There are a number of private hotels in Podgorica and comfortable, inexpensive accommodations, either in or near the town.

If you're a shopping enthusiast, you'll be delighted to know that Podgorica is an open trade centre and therefore stocks a large range of high-end designer wear, usually imported from Italy.

While you're busy shopping, you can drop into some of the local restaurants and relish typical traditional meals. You may also want to visit some of the reputed art galleries, museums, theatres and archives.

As the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica is not just the country's cultural centre, but also its administrative centre. Most of the country's important locations and sights are just a thought away - pelicans, mountaintops, canyons and the beaches of the Adriatic Sea can be reached quickly due to the comparatively smaller size of the city. However, in spite of its lack of geographical area, Montenegro is rich in the variety of options that it offers the tourist.