25 & 26 September 2025 - Bar and Podgarica

After some days of being constantly on the move, we feel the need for a break, and the chance to restock the food supplies. We also need to prepare for our crossing to Italy, and be ready to leave when the boatyard are ready to receive us. 

In case you need directions, this sign post points to various locations around the world, and gives their distance.


Bar is offering good access to shops and markets, and we spent Thursday morning walking to a large farmers market, with a wonderful choice of locally produced fruit and vegetables.


On Friday we decided to visit the capital of Montenegro, Porgarica. This entailed a one hour train ride in each direction, through the mountains and on a long bridge which spans Lake Shkodra.

After World War II, Podgorica was first designated as the capital of Montenegro in 1946. At that time, it was renamed Titograd in honour of Josip Broz Tito, the leader of Yugoslavia. It served as the capital of the Socialist Republic of Montenegro within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until Montenegro's declaration of independence in 2006, after which it was reaffirmed as the capital of an independent Montenegro. The city's original name, Podgorica, had been restored in 1992 following the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

It seems in many way like a large town rather than a city.  The population is about180k out of a total of 675k in the country as a whole. There are some attractive boulevards and shopping streets, plus various sites of local importance. The city is renown for its parks and green spaces throughout the city.

 

The Stone Bridge

The primary stone bridge in Podgorica is the Old Ribnica River Bridge, also known as Hadži-Paša's Bridge. It's a historical landmark built during the Ottoman period in the 18th century, though its origins are believed to be Roman. This single-arched stone bridge connects the old city with the modern part and is a symbol of the city's rich history and cultural influences.  


There a number of mosques in the city for the Muslim portion of the population 

The Clock Tower is one of the cities most famous sights 

The stations at both Bar and Podgorica had old steam locomotives on display

Distance today -           0 miles

Distance this year - 1432 miles 

Steve (and Tricia) 


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