Budva — history, culture, and an ancient fortress

Онa зародилась более 2,5 тысяч лет назад на побережье Адриатического моря. Родина людей -угров народа, иллирийских Энхиллейцев. Внук Посейдона и сын финикийского царя Агенора и Телефаси, Кадмо, и его жена, прекрасная Гармония, дочь Афродиты и Ареса, прибыли на повозке, запряженной волами, и основали здесь город, и обрели здесь свой дом. Первоначальное название города было Бутуа, поскольку по-гречески «боус» — бык. Это записано в истории с начала времен. Об этом писал Гекатей Милетский, а затем Геродот и многие другие. Это был один из старейших городских центров в этой части Адриатики. Жители этой части побережья жили в основном за счет торговли, и оливки, которых им привезли Греки со своих плантаций, вскоре начали давать богатый урожай и являлись еще одним важным продуктом, который мог обеспечить им большой доход. А откуда Греки взялись на иллирийской земле? Ну, иллирийцы позволяли им жить в торговых центрах — Эмпориумах, и Бутуа был одним из них. Небольшое островок, окружённ циклопическими стенами, остатки которых мы и сегодня можем видеть в старом городе.

As Sophocles said back in the 5th century BC, and as it was explained at the time — from there to Durrës it took a day and night by sea, or three days by land.

In the 2nd century BC, it was conquered by the Romans, who brought with them their culture, customs, and luxurious way of life. They built monumental villas, baths, markets, opened numerous artisan workshops, carved artworks into Budva’s stones, and expanded the city. They surrounded it with massive walls, paved its streets, and gave it a new shape. Oppida Civium Romanorum. From a small island, a peninsula emerged, whose borders stretched deep into the mainland. And Budva was known far beyond, across distant seas and mountains. It belonged to the Roman province of Dalmatia. Many wished to see this ancient beauty. Many chose to make Budva their home. And Budva, then as now, could and wanted to welcome everyone with open arms. Illyrians, Greeks, and Romans lived there together.

The Byzantines conquered it in 518 and ruled for several centuries. In the 9th century, Slavs settled here. The city survived several earthquakes, withstood attacks from the Avars and Saracens, and each time rose again — like a phoenix from the ashes.

In the year 809, Budva received its holy protector — Our Lady of Budva. According to legend, in a time of great hardship, two white-bearded old men brought her in a golden boat to the Budva rock, where they placed her and lit candles, waiting to see if any Christians lived there. As plague, Saracens, and famine ravaged the land, the people of this small town were overjoyed, interpreting the gift as a blessing from God Himself. And by all accounts, so it was. From then until today, Our Lady, prayed to by both Orthodox and Catholics, has protected the people of this small yet magical town.

The 12th century brought freedom from Byzantine rule to the people of Budva. In the centuries that followed, under the Nemanjić dynasty, Budva took on a new appearance and, after a long period of wars, disease, and earthquakes in the Middle Ages, it flourished. During the reign of Emperor Dušan, Budva received its Statute, along with many churches and monasteries that have been preserved to this day, bearing witness to its rich heritage. Budva was later ruled by the Balšić, Crnojević, and Serbian Despotate dynasties. Everyone wanted a piece of this paradise for themselves.

In 1442, a new era began in the history of this city. For a long time, on one side the Ottoman conquests and on the other Venice fought for many regions of our lands and across the Balkans. When the Serbian Despotate fell under Ottoman rule, Venice took control of the entire coastline, including Budva. Until 1797, Budva was governed by Venetian rectors. Civitas Antiqua, because even then it was known as one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic coast. Still, it remained in the shadow of Kotor, which had a much higher status at the time. And of course — a hidden port on the trade route from Venice to Constantinople, with skilled sailors who knew how to earn privileges from the Venetians. Budva was left with only a small shipyard, where smaller vessels for short journeys were built. But its role was far from insignificant. This entire region was a defensive bastion from which Venetian territories and the whole Bay of Kotor were protected from Turkish invasions. The Paštrovići, a local tribe from the Budva area that preserved many of its customs and traditions to this day, were known as fierce warriors. However, her beautiful face was scarred in 1571 by Turkish attacks. Barely standing behind thick walls, nature struck again. The year 1667 is remembered for a devastating earthquake that, like a house of cards, destroyed all the coastal towns of this part of the Adriatic. The Venetians rebuilt the walls — the same ones we see today.

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The year 1797 marked the end of Venetian rule. The new ruler became the mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire — until 1806. Then, very briefly for just one year, the Montenegrins (highlanders), with Russian support, took control. But soon after, this Adriatic jewel was conquered by the powerful Napoleon Bonaparte, though again only briefly — until 1813. For more than a century thereafter, Budva and the Bay of Kotor came once again under Austro-Hungarian rule. The empire restored old and built new military fortifications. Under their administration, Budva lived through the First World War, and in 1918, was finally liberated from a government under which it had greatly regressed. It became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, and later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

During the Second World War, Italian occupiers arrived here, but as some longtime residents say, they were not excessively harsh toward the people or the city itself. Still, occupation is occupation, and November 22, 1944, is commemorated as the day of liberation from Nazi rule.

After the Second World War, Budva and Montenegro became part of Yugoslavia. The country, heavily damaged by the war, began its reconstruction. Roads and infrastructure were built, and tourist centers were renovated. Even then, Budva was already a city designed for that very purpose.

The first tourists were here even before the war — the Avala Hotel was built in 1932. And right after the war, everything returned to its place. Old hotels were renovated, new ones were built, and locals eagerly began learning foreign languages. In the meantime, they worked to make the stay of tourists from all over Yugoslavia more enjoyable. Even Hollywood actors had heard of the Sveti Stefan Hotel, and some visited multiple times to relax their souls at this uniquely charming resort.

And so, on April 15th, 1979, the life of this place changed completely. A devastating earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale struck our coastline early in the morning, around 7 a.m. The coastal towns were heavily damaged, and the Old Town of Budva… … and Kotor disappeared for a moment in a cloud of dust and fallen stones. But thanks to persistent effort, within just eight years, every stone was returned to its place, and life resumed right where it had stopped.

The 1980s were marked by the expansion of tourism. Montenegro became a favorite vacation spot for former occupiers. German tourists flocked to our coast, and the charming men of Budva won the hearts of beautiful German women. Many marriages were formed at that time, but adapting to the strict patriarchal traditions of Montenegro was not easy.

The economic crisis, sanctions, the breakup of Yugoslavia, and the NATO bombings left a deep mark on the development of tourism and the country as a whole. In the referendum held on May 21, 2006, the last two republics of the former Yugoslavia separated. Montenegro gained independence, and Budva became the capital of Montenegrin tourism. A new language began to be studied, and today, most people working in tourism speak Russian fluently. Of course, English is also essential, as it is mandatory in schools — so no matter where the guest comes from, there is always someone to talk to.

Today, this is a city with 27,445 residents, according to the 2023 census. Nearly as many people reside temporarily in the country. During the summer months, several hundred thousand tourists from all over the world visit Budva. The fairytale-like beaches along the coast are loved by both our neighbors and visitors from distant countries. The turquoise color of the Adriatic Sea remains a vivid memory in photos from summer holidays in Budva. Delicious food, a pleasant atmosphere, and the locals' natural friendliness make every guest feel truly welcome. The hidden gems of this city can make your stay in Budva truly unforgettable.

And for all of this — and much more left unsaid — I am at your service. I am Ljiljana Martić, a licensed tour guide in English, Russian, French, and Italian.