Budva Architecture

aka Castle of St. Mary (Citadela)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval with Renaissance and Venetian influences; Austro-Hungarian additions
• Built: Before 1425 (first mentioned in 1425), expanded over centuries; reached final form under Austro-Hungarian rule
• Address: 7RGQ+V66, Budva, Montenegro

The Citadel is located in the southern part of the city. It is one of the rare examples of a historically layered building on the Montenegrin coast. It was the main stronghold of the town, and in ancient times it probably functioned as an acropolis. The first written mention of the Citadel dates back to 1425.

Medieval Towers on the Citadel

The Citadel has distinctive construction styles from the Middle Ages and the time of Austro-Hungarian rule. The Citadel had two towers. The latest research has confirmed that material remains from the Middle Ages are found in its core. It was built in several phases and was once an important strategic structure.

Bedemi Starog Grada

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval defensive fortifications typical of Adriatic walled towns
• Built: 9th–17th century
• Address: Encircling Budva’s Old Town peninsula

The Bedemi Starog Grada, or Old Town Walls, surround the entire Old Town of Budva. Dating back to ancient times, the walls served as a protective barrier, shielding the town from invasions and ensuring its safety.

Kula Gradenigo

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Venetian medieval military tower
• Built: 15th century
• Address: Northwest side of Old Town Walls

The Budva ramparts got their present appearance at the end of the Middle Ages. The walls surround the entire city center and are connected to the Citadel and defensive towers at the corners of the city. The main tower, Gradenigo, is on the northwest side of the Old Town. A second tower, called Repeno, is on the northeast side.

Venetian Coat of Arms

There is a winged lion with a scroll in its hands on the Gradenigo Tower from the 15th century. The winged lion is the symbol of the evangelist St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice, who ruled the city of Budva from the 15th to the end of the 18th century.

Brijeg od Budva

aka Great Gate (Velja vrata aka Puerta de Terra Ferita aka Porta di Terra Ferma)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval defensive gate with observation post
• Built: Medieval period; updated over centuries
• Address: 7RHP+9M6, Trg Slikara, Budva, Montenegro

The main city gate is located on the west side of the Old Town. Above the gate is a military observation post, from which the security of the city was guarded.

Coats of Arms Above the Main City Gate

Above the Old Town’s main western entrance are stone sculptures originating from the Middle Ages. With three eight-pointed stars and the representation of a winged lion, the symbol of the Republic of Venice, they represent the authentic coat of arms of the medieval city of Budva.

Mosaic Icon on the Inside of the Main City Gate

The mosaic icon on the inside of the main city gate is a reminder of the icon of the Virgin and Christ. For centuries, the icon was in a niche with a lamp always lit.

aka the Gate of Pizano (Vrata od Pizane)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Venetian medieval gate
• Built: Medieval era
• Address: North side of Old Town

The Pizana Gate is the central entrance on the city’s north side. The gate and the entire Budva waterfront were named after a Venetian governor of the same name.

aka Pisanela Gate (Vrata Pizanela)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval city gate
• Built: Medieval era
• Address: 7RHQ+9FW, Budva, Montenegro

The Pizanella Gate, one of the oldest city portals, is on the eastern side of the Old Town.

The gate is also called the “Garbage Hole Gate” because, at one time, garbage was thrown out through it when the city was under siege.

Gvozdena vrata

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval—only iron gate in Old Town Walls
• Built: Unspecified medieval period
• Address: North side, near Gradenigo Tower

The entrance to the Old Town with a characteristic iron gate is located on the north side of town, near the Gradenigo Tower. It’s known as the Iron Gate Entrance because it’s the only city gate cast from iron.

aka St. John’s Church aka Church of Sveti Ivan (Crkva Sv. Ivana)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Blend of Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic elements; three-transept basilica form
• Built: Originally 7th century; current structure largely end-17th century; bell tower added in 1867 (Tyrolean architect Luccini)
• Address: 7RGQ+X7P, Budva, Montenegro

The building consists of three attached yet separate structures: the belfry on the left, the church in the middle, and the bishop’s palace on the right.

The Church

According to tradition, the Church dedicated to the birth of St. John the Baptist was originally built in the form of a rotunda during the 7th century. It underwent significant changes during the 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Today’s building originates from the end of the 17th century. It is a three-story basilica with Gothic details on the façade. Until 1828, it served as a cathedral.

The altar area of ​​the church of St. Ivan is covered with a monumental mosaic made by the famous Dubrovnik painter Ivo Dulčić in the 1960s. The unusually vivid color mosaic depicts St. John the Baptist giving a sermon to the people of Budva.

Many valuable things, such as the icon of the Holy Mother of God with Christ, better known as Budvanska Bogorodica (Holy Mother of God of Budva), are kept in the church. According to a legend, the author of this icon is considered to be Sveti Luka (St. Luke), while according to expert opinions, this icon dates from the 13th or 14th century. From the other valuable things, we should, by all means, mention the painting of Sveti Petar and Pavle (St. Peter and Paul), a piece of work of Venetian school, icons of Greek origins, and the painting of Sveti Luka, the work of Anastas Bocaric.

The Belfry

The Bell Tower of the Church of St. Ivan dominates the Old Town. It’s located on the north side of the church. The text MDCCCL (1850) in its square base indicates the year construction began. The work was completed in 1867.

Previously, there was a smaller Baroque bell tower with a rougher shape. It is assumed that it was demolished in the 1667 earthquake.

The Bishop’s Palace

To the south of the church stands a building that served as the Bishop’s Palace until 1828, when the church ceased to be the seat of the diocese.

The palace was built in a rough, almost rustic neo-Gothic technique with Gothic windows.

Church of St. Trinity aka Holy Trinity Church (Crvka Sveti Trojica aka Crvka Sv. Trojice aka Crvka Sveto Trojstvo)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Orthodox with Byzantine murals and Baroque-influenced iconostasis
• Built: From 1804
• Address: 7RGQ+X48, Budva 85310, Montenegro

The church was built in 1804. The architectural design resembles the Church of the Assumption (Podostrog monastery). It was constructed with whitish and red hewn stone arranged in belts.

Iconostasis of the Church of the Holy Trinity

The Holy Trinity adorns the high iconostasis, which was painted in 1833 by Naum Zetiri, a painter from the island of Milos.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the famous painter Marko Gregović made icons for the same iconostasis, which, until the earthquake in 1979, covered older icons.

Icons in the Church of the Holy Trinity

The Greek icon painter Nikola Aspioti made the side throne icons on the iconostasis of the Church of the Holy Trinity. They presented St. John the Baptist on the left and the Holy Trinity on the right. The silver-encrusted throne icons with representations of Christ on the right and the Virgin and Child on the left of the imperial doors were a gift from Georgij Madžarević in 1852.

Crkva Santa Maria in Punta

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Pre-Romanesque
• Built: From 840 AD (with subsequent modifications)
• Address: 7RGP+WWW, Budva, Montenegro

It is one of the oldest pre-Romanesque churches on the Adriatic Coast. Founded in 840, it was originally part of the Benedictine monastery. It was later taken over by the Franciscans and, at the beginning of the 19th century, by the French.

There is a square-shaped belfry from the Romanesque period next to the apse on the eastern side of the church. The ground floor of the bell tower could serve as a sacristy. On the eastern side, there are authentic examples of stone sculptures from the Romanesque period.

Coat of Arms of the Catholic Order of Friars Minor

The coat of arms of this Catholic Franciscan order is located on the eastern side of the square tower bell tower of the Church of Santa Maria in Punta. In the circle of the coat of arms, two crossed hands are represented as symbols of the monks of the Franciscan order, who took over the church from the Benedictines at the end of the 13th century.

Tablets with Inscriptions

There are inscriptions in Latin on four stone slabs on the inner side of the north wall. The oldest is from the year 840, when the church was built; others refer to the periods of reconstruction and originate from 1219; and the youngest is from 1765.

aka Church of St. Sava the Anointed aka Church of St. Sava the Saint aka Crkva Sv. Save Osvecenog (St. Sabba Abas)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Romanesque one-nave church
• Built: 12th century (inscription “1141”)
• Address: 7RGP+VXV, Budva, Montenegro

The Church of Saint Sabbas was built in the 12th century. It’s a Romanesque one-nave building with a semicircular apse facing east, without a bell tower. During Venetian rule, prayer rites of both Catholic and Orthodox traditions were performed in the church. A stone tablet with the inscription 1141 (the year the church was built) was discovered after the earthquake in 1979.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Early Christian three-nave basilica
• Built: End of 5th – early 6th century AD
• Address: Within Old Town

The Budva Basilica dates back to the end of the 5th or the beginning of the 6th century. It is a three-nave monumental building with a semicircular apse. Its artistic and historical features are evidence that Budva was an important cultural, religious, and economic center on the southern Adriatic.

Bells Near the Early Christian Basilica

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval church integrated into fortress
• Built: 12th–14th century
• Address: Inside the Citadel

As the name indicates, the church was located inside the Citadel. The church’s construction dates back to the 12th to 14th century, during “the reign of Nemanjić and Balšić.” The church’s original appearance is difficult to recognize due to its integration into the walls of the Austrian fortification.

Remains of fresco paintings were discovered on its northern wall.

• City Museum of Budva
• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Adapted traditional stone building
• Built: Original structure date unknown; museum established in 2003
• Address: Old Town, Budva, Montenegro

The City Museum of Budva preserves, protects, and presents the cultural heritage of Budva from ancient times until the 20th century. The exhibitions in the Museum are organized in archaeological and ethnographic collections.

Coat of Arms Above the Entrance

Above the entrance is a carved coat of arms, which is believed to have belonged to the Budva Mikula family. The central representation of a dog is surrounded by stylized floral decoration. The initials M and C are legible in the upper part, and the year 1825 in the lower part.

Remains of an Ancient Street

There remains of a Roman road are preserved in the lapidary of the Museum of the City of Budva. These monolithic stone slabs of a reddish color are arranged in regular rows.

• Architect: Roman engineers
• Style: Roman road construction (stone paving in opus lapidum technique)
• Built: 1st–2nd century AD
• Address: Museum lapidary, Budva, Montenegro

Red stone slabs arranged in regular rows, preserved in the museum courtyard.

• Architect: Roman engineers
• Style: Roman bath complex
• Built: 2nd–1st century BC
• Address: Old Town, Budva, Montenegro

Foundations and hypocaust elements remain from a public bathhouse.

• Architect: Roman artisans
• Style: Classical Roman votive altar
• Built: 1st–2nd century AD
• Address: Old Town, Budva, Montenegro

A square stone altar with the inscription of Vinicius Pavlin was discovered and located in its original place after the earthquake in 1979. The altar was used for offerings, usually in liquid form (wine), to a Roman deity. It dates to the 1st to 2nd centuries.

• Architect: Illyrian and Roman burial builders
• Style: Funerary architecture
• Built: 5th century BC
• Address: 7RHP+CFR, Budva, Montenegro

Near the hotel Avala there are the remains of a Roman necropolis from the 5th century B.C. In addition to the authentic walls, in the center stands out the stone tombstone (1 m high) decorated with carved wreaths of leaves and flowers resting on the heads of rams.

• Architect: Roman artisans
• Style: Opus vermiculatum mosaic technique
• Built: 2nd century AD
• Address: Near necropolis, Budva, Montenegro

Remains of a mosaic floor from the 2nd century were discovered near the ancient necropolis. It’s considered one of the oldest mosaic floors in the Balkans. The entire mosaic was completed in the opus vermiculatum technique (i.e., by the compact arrangement of small cubes). In addition to decorative elements, the mosaic features a dragon, snakes, and sea creatures.

• Architect: Roman architects
• Style: Roman urban villa design
• Built: 1st–2nd century AD
• Address: Old Town, Budva, Montenegro

The remains of a Roman villa from the 1st to 2nd centuries are part of the ancient heritage of Budva. The rare remains of this building include decorated capitals, columns, and part of the architrave beam.

• Architect: Roman engineers
• Style: Roman floor-heating system
• Built: 1st century AD
• Address: Eastern side of former Hotel Avala site

After the 1979 earthquake, on the eastern side of the former hotel Avala, the remains of a hypocaust were discovered. It was used to heat part of the space of the Roman public building Villa Urbana.

aka Ancient City Gate Remains

• Architect: Illyrian-Greek builders
• Style: Early fortification gateway
• Built: 6th century BC
• Address: Old Town entrance

The pylons, the remains of the ancient city gate, bear witness to Budva from the 6th century BC. The stone “gate” led to the ancient Illyrian Greek urban settlement, which Sophocles wrote about in his historical writings.

• Architect: Roman engineers
• Style: Classical Roman utilitarian structure
• Built: 1st–2nd century AD
• Address: Outside northern Old Town walls

The Roman stone fountain was discovered outside the walls of the northern part of the Old Town after the 1979 earthquake. It’s square in shape with an outlet channel on one of the four sides. It originates from the 1st to 2nd centuries A.D.

• Architect: Roman artisans
• Style: Classical timekeeping instrument
• Built: 1st–2nd century AD
• Address: Preserved in Budva City Museum

The Roman sundial was found near the main town square. It resembles the broad base of a stone pillar with carved grooves in the center. The shadow from the central iron bar determined the time. It originates from the 1st to 2nd centuries. Today, the sundial is preserved in the Museum of the City of Budva.

The narrow streets of Budva’s Old Town are like a labyrinth waiting to be explored. With their charming cobblestone pathways and ancient stone buildings, they offer a glimpse into the rich history and architectural beauty of this coastal gem.

As you wander through these winding alleys, you’ll notice the unique blend of styles that make up Budva’s architecture. From the medieval Venetian influence to the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian touches, each building tells its own story.

Address: 7, Primorskog bataljona, Budva, Montenegro

The Square of Poets is a charming and vibrant spot in Budva, Montenegro. Situated in the heart of the city, this square is a haven for culture and creativity.

The square gets its name from the numerous poets who have found inspiration in its enchanting surroundings. It serves as a gathering place for local writers and literature enthusiasts, hosting poetry readings and book fairs throughout the year.

Piazetta at the House of Cekrdekovic is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Budva’s Old Town. The historic House of Cekrdekovic surrounds this quaint little square, an exquisite example of traditional architecture.

The House of Cekrdekovic is a testament to Budva’s architectural richness and historical significance. Built in the 17th century, this well-preserved house showcases the traditional Montenegrin style with its stone walls, wooden shutters, and intricate carvings. Every detail of its façade tells a story, giving visitors a glimpse into Budva’s vibrant past.

Address: 7RHQ+J36, Budva, Montenegro

The Bell and Anchor is near the walls of the Old Town. It consists of a large church bell of golden color, decorated with Orthodox crosses and paintings, and a huge, old ship anchor.

The Memorial House celebrates the writer and politician Stefan Mitrov Ljubisa. The house in which he lived was converted into a museum dedicated to the life and work of Budva’s most famous citizen.

The grave of the famous writer and politician Stefan Mitrov Ljubiša, born in Budva in 1824, is located in front of the Church of the Holy Trinity. He died in Vienna in 1878. His remains were transferred and buried in his hometown in 1934.

aka “Dancer from Budva” aka “Gymnast from Budva”

Address: 43 Primorskog bataljona, Budva, Montenegro

Although the statute is commonly referred to as the “The Ballerina from Budva,” this is not an accurate description because the girl does not have the main attribute of a ballerina – a skirt called a “pack.” In fact, the dancer does not have clothes at all!

The sculpture of the dancer is one of the most famous and photographed attractions in Budva. The beautiful and graceful bronze gymnast, located on a rock among the rocks near Mogren Beach, is a symbol of fidelity and has recently become an unofficial symbol of the city of Budva.

Despite its popularity, very little is known about the history of this sculpture. Many different legends explain the origin of the statue, but the true story has been lost.

Ricardova Glava Beach is a 100-yard-long pebbly beach that extends from the Old Town Walls to the promenade leading to Mogren Beach.

Pizana Beach is a popular 100-yard-long stretch of sand and pebbles by the walls on the northern side of the Old Town.

Mogren Beach is the most famous beach on the Budva Riviera.

City tours in Budva provide an organized way to understand the town’s coastal setting, historic core, and the architectural changes introduced from the medieval period through modern tourism development. Many tours focus on the Old Town, its fortifications, and the surrounding waterfront areas.

Montenegro architecture is a true fusion of Eastern and Western influences from Roman, Venetian, and Ottoman. For instance, the Montenegrin coastal region is also known as Venetian Montenegro because it is filled with Venetian architecture.

Budva Old Town is a fortified city located on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. It is believed to have been founded by the Illyrians in the 5th century BC and later inhabited by the Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. The current layout of the town dates back to the medieval period when it was fortified with walls and towers to protect against invading forces. Over time, various rulers and empires have left their mark on Budva Old Town, including the Ottoman Turks, Austro-Hungarians, and Yugoslavs.

Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro that is known for its beautiful beaches, historic old town, and vibrant nightlife. The town is located on the Adriatic Sea and features a long coastline with sandy and pebbly beaches that are popular among tourists. Budva’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features ancient walls, narrow streets, and historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. The town also has a lively nightlife scene, with many bars, clubs, and restaurants serving up local cuisine and drinks. Overall, Budva is known for its combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern entertainment options.