| | History of Montenegro |
The history of Montenegro is as colourful as its nature. Every part of the land will tell the curious traveller many interesting stories from the days of the Roman Empire to modern times. Although its territory is small, this proud country has a lot to say when it comes to history.
"Crna Gora" (Montenegro) is mentioned for the first time in the Charter of King Milutin, in 1276. It is believed that the name derives from the dense forests that covered Mount Lovcen and its environs. The woods were so dark that the mountain looked black.
During the Roman Empire, the territory of Montenegro was known as Duklja (Doclea). With the arrival of the Slavs in the 7th century, Christianity quickly gained primacy in this region.
The first Prince of Duklja, which in that period incorporated the area of Skadar Lake and nearby mountains, was Vladimir. The principality became independent in 1040, and was proclaimed kingdom in 1077, thus becoming one of the first independent states in the Balkans. It was named Zeta, which in old Slavic meant “harvesters”.
 Unrest and political upheaval following the death of the rulers from the Vladimir and Vojisavljevic families led to Byzantium achieving dominance over Zeta. The great ruler Nemanja, who gained ascendancy in this region in 1185, did not change the independent status of Zeta. In the 14th century, under the leadership of the Balsic and Crnojevic dynasties, it became an independent feudal state and slowly expanded, tirelessly fighting foreign armies: Albanians, and later Turks and Venetians.
A determined Turkish attack forced Ivan Crnojevic to lead his people inland towards Mount Lovcen. He built a castle and a monastery in Cetinje after choosing it as his base. Cetinje thus became the synonym of Montenegrin spiritual freedom and state independence. The rule of Djuradj Crnojevic, Ivan’s son, may have been short, but it left an invaluable legacy: in 1494, the first printing shop in the Balkans, which had opened the previous year, printed its first book - "Oktoih" (Octoechos).
 The Ottoman Empire assumed control over Montenegro in 1496, joining it to its Skadar province. However, Montenegro retained a high level of autonomy and in 1645 regained full independence.
The bishops of Montenegro then become both the spiritual and secular rulers of the country. At that time, Montenegro was governed by the All-Montenegrin Assembly and the Assembly of Chiefs. In 1697, the Montenegrin Assembly elevated Danilo I Petrovic to the position of bishop. The rise of the Petrovic dynasty had begun.
Petar I Petrovic (1784 - 1830) is one of the most renowned figures in Montenegrin history. Led by him, Montenegro strengthened its independence, and after great victories over the more numerous Turkish armies, freed itself from Turkish domination. Petar I unified the Montenegrin clans and brought them closer to the population of the coast which at that time was under the influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His successor was Petar II Petrovic Njegos, an extraordinary statesman, philosopher and writer. He established institutions of the state and administrative authorities. During the rule of his successor, Danilo, the sovereignty of Montenegro was strengthened further.
 King Nikola I Petrovic’s talents as diplomat and negotiator enabled Montenegro to achieve significant political objectives. At the Berlin Congress, Montenegro received full international recognition. It became a kingdom in 1910. However, following World War I, in 1918 Montenegro became a part of Serbia and for a period of time disappeared from the political map of Europe.
After World War II Montenegro improved its legal and state status and became one of the six equal republics of the Yugoslav federation.
After the turbulent years at the end of the 20th century, and after the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, Montenegro remained in a state union with Serbia.
In a referendum on 21 May 2006, Montenegrins voted for independence, which was officially proclaimed on 13 July 2006.
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