| Podgorica became the capital of
Montenegro in 1945. Not only are the Government and Parliament
located here, but the town is also an economic, cultural,
social and educational center with important faculties
of the university and theaters. Many companies have located
their headquarters in Podgorica. To fulfill all these
demands it was necessary to rebuild the town, which was
completely destroyed in World War II, and very quickly.
For many it happened too quickly. Almost nothing reminds
one of the old Podgorica.
Podgorica was founded more than 2000 years ago. Even
today one can still follow the footsteps of the Romans,
who built the town of Doclea here. While Doclea served
as the headquarters for the Emperor of the Prevalis
province, Byrziminium, just a few kilometers south,
had more the character of a trading post.
During the 9th century immigrant slavs came into power
in the region. They founded the town and state of Duklja
in the area of Byrziminiums. In their Golden Age they
were ruling over the Zeta and Moraca valleys, the region
around Lake Skadar and parts of the coast. The Turks
turned Podgorica, which was its name since 1474, into
a real fortress. They stayed until 1879. In 1946, after
the creation of Yugoslavia, the town was named Titograd.
In 1992 it got its old name back, Podgorica.
|
