St. George's Church, Podgorica

Saint George’s Church holds a special place in the city’s history as the oldest active Christian place of worship in Montenegro. Situated at the foot of Gorica Hill-after which the city is named-the church dates back to roughly the 9th through 11th centuries, making it not only Podgorica’s oldest church but also one of its oldest surviving buildings. Over the centuries, it has undergone various repairs and modifications, yet it retains distinctive architectural elements typical of early medieval, pre-Romanesque church construction.

The modest single-nave building has a calm, unpretentious exterior, surrounded by an old cemetery and shaded by fragrant trees at the base of the hill. Inside, visitors will find darkened stone walls hosting a small collection of frescoes and gilded icons introduced in the 19th century, along with parts of a 16th-century nave space. This blend of eras gives insight into the layered religious and artistic heritage preserved within its walls.

For curious tourists, Saint George’s Church offers more than just historical architecture-it is a living monument, still used for worship today. According to tradition, this site witnessed the baptism of Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjic dynasty, a legendary event mentioned in medieval hagiographies. The church symbolizes nearly a millennium of continuous Orthodox faith and liturgical life. As you wander among the graves, you’ll feel the continuity of devotion and the quiet persistence of a place that has watched Podgorica grow from medieval roots into a bustling modern capital.

Visiting Saint George’s Church is best combined with a stroll up Gorica Hill for panoramic views of the city, or included in a peaceful walking path through Podgorica’s central green spaces. Don’t miss the chance to pause in front of the entrance’s simple stone portal-this humble threshold frames centuries of history, devotion, and local legend in one silent, sacred gesture.