A Brief History of Budva - Montenegro

22.08.2023

Nestled along the Adriatic Sea in the heart of the Balkans, Budva stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of history that has shaped the region for centuries. With its charming Old Town, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture, Budva is a jewel in Montenegro's crown. The city's history is a fascinating journey through time, marked by conquests, civilizations, and cultural exchanges.

Ancient Beginnings
Budva's history dates back to ancient times, with evidence suggesting that the area was settled as far back as the 5th century BC by the Illyrians, an ancient Indo-European people. The Illyrians established a fortified settlement on the rocky peninsula where Budva's Old Town now stands. This strategic location allowed them to control trade routes and protect against potential invaders.

Roman Influence
In 168 BC, the Roman Republic conquered the Illyrian territories, including Budva. The city, became an essential part of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Under Roman rule, Budva flourished as a bustling trading hub, benefiting from its access to the Adriatic Sea. The remains of Roman villas, walls, and fortifications are still visible today, a testament to the city's significance during this era.

Byzantine and Middle Ages
As the Roman Empire declined, Budva came under the influence of the Byzantine Empire. The city witnessed a series of power shifts, with Slavic tribes and various medieval states vying for control. Throughout this period, Budva remained a strategic maritime outpost and an important center for trade, cultural exchange, and religious development. The city's eclectic architectural styles and religious monuments reflect this mix of influences.

Venetian Dominion
One of the most impactful chapters in Budva's history came with the arrival of the Venetian Republic in the 15th century, who ended up ruling for around 400 years. The Venetians recognized the city's strategic significance and under Venetian rule, the city's fortifications were significantly expanded, with iconic walls encircling the Old Town. The Venetians also left an indelible mark on Budva's architecture, evident in the elegant palaces, churches, and squares that define the cityscape.

Ottoman and Habsburg Rule
Budva's fate briefly shifted between 1572 and 1573 when it fell under the dominion of the Ottoman Empire, but, it was returned to Venetian rule in 1573 under the Treaty of Constantinople. The city then came under the influence of the Habsburg Monarchy with the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797. This period of alternating control left its mark on the city's cultural fabric, leading to an intriguing blend of architectural styles, traditions, and influences.

Austria-Hungary & World War 2
In 1807 the City of Budva was relinquished to the French who ruled until 1813 when it was ceded to the Austrian Empire who remained in control for the next 100 years. After the First World War, it was then abandoned, and it came under the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. World War Two saw it then annexed by Italy, before finally being liberated by the Allies in 1944.

Contemporary Budva
Since becoming independent in 2006, Budva's transformation into a renowned tourist destination has really accelerated. The city's breathtaking beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural heritage has drawn visitors from around the world. The Old Town, with its labyrinthine streets and well-preserved architecture, remains a focal point for tourists and locals alike.

Today, Budva continues to evolve as a modern European city while preserving its historical legacy. The city's ability to blend its ancient past with contemporary aspirations showcases the resilience of its people and their commitment to honoring their heritage. Efforts to preserve Budva's historical heritage have been ongoing for years. Conservation initiatives, restoration projects, and UNESCO recognition for the Old Town's cultural significance have all played a crucial role in safeguarding the city's past for future generations to enjoy.

A Living Testament
The history of Budva is not confined to the pages of a textbook; it's a living testament to the countless civilizations, cultures, and people who have left their mark on this coastal gem. As visitors stroll through the cobbled streets, gaze at ancient fortresses, and listen to tales of days gone by, they become a part of Budva's intricate tapestry of time—a tapestry woven from the threads of history, resilience, and human connection.

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Reviews

• In period May-August 2022 we sold our flats in St-Petersburg Russia and  have bought two  ones here in Montenegro, Becici. We decided to move here and make new home and business with my husband. Our agent Milica Zugic  is really became our angel - provider here in Montenegro. She is very reliable, responsible , professional  employee of CMM Budva department. She has developed intuition and found very fast necessary properties which we needed. Also she helped us to speed up the process of registration documents in MUP.( list nepokretnosti, etc). She was our real provider here. Very appreciated her and all staff of Budva department for there assistance. Separately to lawyer Ivan and his legal team. Very recommended choose Milica Zugic as real estate manager when you search for assistant in this complicated and important field as buying property in Montenegro.

  Liudmila Nosova St-Petersburg Russia , 13.09.2022 09:20:09

• At the beginning of April 2022, our family living in Prague bought a house in Sutomore with the assistance of your company.
  Let me express my gratitude to the management of your company for the service provided, and especially to your employees - Anastasia Zeyak, Alexei Grachev and Elena Bozhovich for their attention, patience and even care for the whole time of buying real estate and the services provided after the purchase.
  I would really like all companies to work with the same quality of service. After coming into contact with this kind of attitude towards the client, all our environment, if necessary, will refer to your company only.
  With gratitude on behalf of our family.

  A.V. Ter-Gazaryan, 12.07.2022 10:32:19

• Based on my experience with CMM in Budva, Montenegro, I can say that they are reliable, fast, and they deliver what they promise. They take really good care of their clients. For instance, I was offered a lift from the airport, and they would take me back and forth from Tivat to Budva and Becici to see various properties. They would answer all of my questions and respond promptly. They have an excellent team: Katarina, Alexander, Natasha, Martin and some other guys whose names I don’t remember. Katarina, my wonderful agent, went to every length to help me find a perfect home. Unfortunately, my situation changed and I had to postpone my relocation to Montenegro.
  I would strongly recommend this company to anyone who is looking for a property in Montenegro.
  

  Val , 13.05.2022 02:18:13

• We were introduced to CMM by friends who had already done research on Montenegro and CMM. We purchased our apartment in Dobrota, just outside Kotor, all remotely from South Africa, during the lockdown. Everything was seamless without any problems at all. All the CMM departments work together well from the sales team, head office, legal, interior design and rental department. Every detail was well communicated with an abundance of zoom meetings, videos, emails etc
  We are thrilled with the outcome and enjoyed working with the CMM team. They were incredibly professional.
  After sales service is also excellent as we move into the rental phase of the apartment and over all management of the apartment including maintenance.
  We have been directly and indirectly involved with many houses/apartments all over the world and this was the up there with the best service we have received.
  Thanks to everyone we dealt with at CMM it has been an absolute pleasure dealing with you all. We look forward too many happy years working with you on our rental.
  

  Mandy and Antoine, 06.10.2021 08:56:22

• Biz Montenegroda CMM komandayla  tanish olmushug. Snejana ve Milan bize cox  yaxshi destek olublar. Artig bizim burada evimiz de var. Bize gosterdiler cox yuksek service, ve artig butun bizim senedler de gaydasindadir. Boyuk hormetle onlara Cox sagol bildiririk!

  Dilara, 01.10.2019 06:17:27

• Last year we decided to find a new home close to the sea. It was quite difficult in the beginning to make the right choice. Once we found CMM Company was a great luck! We immediately received detailed consultation on the country and purchase opportunities. Being attracted by Kotor - one of the most amazing parts of the coast, we decided to take a family trip and maybe make our dream of new home come true. As just discoverers of Montenegro, we were accepted like at home which was a one more pleasant surprise. The most important, we received all detailed information about country regions and procedure of buying property during the first few days. And how beautiful the car journeys were! Difficult choice, but when you find the home you want you can't refuse it. CMM did best to help us with this finding! All the purchase procedure passed well with CMM professional work! Now we are happy owners of a wonderful house with a Kotor bay view, being perfectly served by CMM Management company (of course, we've chosen CMM as professional house manager). Hope our friends and relatives would also move to Montenegro with the CMM help soon !!!

  Kate, 22.03.2019 11:06:21