The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property has accepted almost all requests for planning religious buildings submitted during the public debate on the Draft Spatial and Urban Planning Temple (PUP) of Podgorica by the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (MPC) of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Mešihat of the Islamic Community in Montenegro with a total of nine locations for the construction of churches, temples, parish houses and mosques.
The Metropolitanate wants churches and parish houses in Donja Gorica, Dajbabe, Kuće Rakića and on Pardus Hill, as well as temples in Beglaci and Dajbabe, while Mešihat requested the planning of plots for mosques in the settlements of Velje Brdo, Delta City and in the cadastral municipality of Podgorica III. Mešihat initiated the drawing of a mosque in Stara Varoš, but this was not accepted.
The Ministry of Spatial Planning has accepted the requests in part or in full, with indications that they will finally be elaborated through lower-level plans.
Both religious communities base their demands on the importance of preserving the spiritual, cultural and identity space of the communities they represent, with the explanation that planning new religious facilities would contribute to the development of Podgorica, multicultural harmony and greater accessibility of religious life to citizens.
"Given the planned size of the settlement and the expected diversity of its future residents, we believe it is of crucial importance to plan space in advance for the needs of the religious life of all communities," Mešihat said regarding the initiative for Velje Brdo.
The Metropolitanate, referring to the 2023 census, assessed that "over 140 thousand citizens in Podgorica declared themselves as Orthodox Christians, and if the other two municipalities to which this PUP applies are included, there are about 160 thousand citizens of the Orthodox faith."
The comments of both communities are contained in the report from the public hearing, which was prepared by the Ministry of Spatial Planning, headed by the Minister Slaven Radunović, announced this week.
The amendments to the Podgorica Urban Development Plan, regardless of the requests of Mešihat and MPC, envisage space for the construction of 22 new religious buildings on a total of 231.769 square meters of land, some of which were planned in previous planning documents but were not built, while more than half are buildings that have not been mentioned in planning documents so far. The objection, submitted by the administration of the Capital City, states that “no analysis or research has shown the need to expand the capacity of existing religious buildings”, and that it is not clear why the repurposing of city or state land is being proposed for these facilities. The Capital City requested that this segment be reviewed, but the Ministry did not accept it, explaining that “religious buildings cannot be treated as public buildings in the sense of a public institution, but rather serve citizens and do not endanger the public interest”.
Dajbaba Monastery under pressure from pilgrims
The Ministry of Culture stated that at the existing location 18 in Beglaci, it is necessary to foresee the possibility of building religious buildings as part of the central activities, since the Metropolitanate has an agreement in principle with the Municipality of Zeta (unrealized due to the fact that the Capital and the Municipality of Zeta have not demarcated) for the allocation of land in that area for the construction of the Zeta Cathedral. The Ministry stated that part of location 18 is intended for central facilities within which the construction of a religious building is possible in accordance with the Regulation.
"We are requesting that planning conditions be created for the construction of religious buildings - a church and a parish house, on cadastral plots 4497/3 and 4497/5 KO Donja Gorica, which the Metropolitanate received as a gift. That they be converted from the purpose of SMG (low-density housing) to the purpose of CD (central activities) within which the construction of religious buildings is possible and that the possibility of issuing UT conditions from the PUP itself be envisaged. At this location, we plan to build a temple and a nomoh.nor facility. We are requesting that planning conditions be created for the construction of buildings (temple and guest quarters) on cadastral plots 2659 and 2660 KO Dajbabe. We emphasize that the aforementioned plots are located outside the boundaries of the immovable cultural property of the Dajbabe Monastery. The Dajbabe Monastery is under great pressure from pilgrims and visitors, and the existing temple and accommodation capacities are extremely limited. The construction of a monastery church would contribute to the preservation of the cave monastery temple as an immovable cultural property", the Metropolitanate stated.
The Ministry stated that for Donja Gorica, the plan defines the purpose as MN (mixed use), within which the realization of a religious facility is possible through the development of a lower-level plan, and for the Dajbaba location, the plan defines the purpose as VO (religious facilities), within which the construction of supporting facilities and a temple is possible, based on the development of a lower-level plan.
The MPC also requests that planning conditions be created for the construction of religious buildings - a church and a parish house, on cadastral plots 1378/2, 1380/2 and 1382/2 of the Dajbabe administrative district, which the Metropolitanate recently received as a gift.
All MPC requests are in the interest of citizens
"This is the Kuće Rakića settlement on the border of the Zeta and Tuzi municipalities, where a certain number of Orthodox Christian families live, whose nearest Orthodox place of worship is more than five kilometers away. The family that donated this land made the gift precisely with the intention of building a temple on it. We are asking for planning conditions to be created for the construction of mixed-use facilities on cadastral plots near the temple of the Holy New Martyrs on Pardus Hill. The Metropolitanate will soon acquire ownership of part of the land around that church, and the possibility of building in that area would be of exceptional importance to us. These are cadastral plots 263/l, 263/2, 262/1 and 264 KO Liješnje, specifically parts of those plots that are located in the immediate vicinity of the land on which the temple is located," the MPC states.
The Ministry stated that for the construction of the temple on the border of the Zeta and Tuzi municipalities, "the requested location will be defined", while for the temple of the Holy New Martyrs on Pardus Hill, the area around the temple is designated as a settlement, within which buildings compatible with the temple's contents can be built.
The MPC emphasized that all of its requests are entirely in the interest of the citizens of the Capital City and other surrounding municipalities affected by this PUP, and each of them was initiated by the authentic interest of citizens or the careful consideration of the competent clergy.
“Podgorica is developing and growing every day, and the need for a larger number of religious buildings is completely understandable. According to last year's census, over 140 thousand citizens in Podgorica declared themselves as Orthodox Christians, and if the other two municipalities to which this PUP applies are included, there are about 160 thousand citizens of the Orthodox faith. The number and capacity of the existing Orthodox religious buildings are not able to support the large number of those who come to temples, especially in the urban area. We should not lose sight of the fact that accessibility to religious buildings, in accordance with relevant international documents on human rights and freedoms, is an inseparable part of freedom of religion. Also, the Fundamental Treaty
between Montenegro and the Serbian Orthodox Church, our country has committed itself to accepting proposals from competent hierarchs on locations for the construction of facilities “unless there are contrary objective reasons of public interest” (Article 13, paragraph 3),” the MPC states.
Since it is obvious that there are no such reasons against our requests, and that the proposals are realistic, achievable and are fully in line with the progress of the Capital City and a better life for all its citizens, a large number of whom are very attached to their religious identity, we hope, according to the MPC, that you will consider our requests and include them in the planning document.
There is no marking in the Old Town.
The Islamic Community of Montenegro's Meshihat has submitted an initiative to mark the location of a religious building in Stara Varoš, at the site of the Depedogen fortress, located above the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers.
"This initiative is based on the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage and the need to revitalize an area that has deep-rooted historical and spiritual value. According to relevant historical sources, the Depedogen fortress was built in the 15th century. Inside the fortress was a religious building, which, according to written sources, was built by order of the authorities of the time. The religious building served the local community not only for prayer, but also as a place of gathering, education and cultural and administrative activities," Meršihat said.
As they explained, the religious building was built of wood and stone elements, while its foundations bear witness to the building skills of that period. Unfortunately, due to historical circumstances, the building suffered extensive destruction, and its traces are not visible today.
"The restoration of this facility would contribute to the preservation of the cultural and historical identity of Podgorica, which would further valorize the Old Town site as a space of rich multicultural heritage. Also, this project would play a significant role in preserving tradition, as well as in improving the city's tourist potential. We propose that the spatial plan of the Old Town include a plot for the construction of a religious facility on the site of the Depedogen fortress, with a design solution that would include architectural elements in accordance with the historical character of the space. This facility would not only be a place of prayer, but also a space for cultural and educational activities, open to all citizens and visitors," Mešihat stated, adding that "we are attaching a photograph of the Depedogen fortress from 1888, which clearly shows the mosque and its position.
The Ministry did not accept this objection with the explanation - given the fact that the site is of cultural and historical importance, the requested facility is subject to the law relating to the protection of cultural property, and therefore the renovation and construction of the aforementioned can be carried out in accordance with the defined purpose of the fortress itself, as well as the level of protection of the cultural property.
They are looking for 2000 m2 for a mosque on Velje Brdo.
The Mešihat also submitted an initiative to foresee a plot for the construction of a religious building within the spatial planning solution for the planned Velje brdo residential complex.
“Given the planned size of the settlement and the expected diversity of its future residents, we believe it is crucial to plan in advance the space for the needs of religious life of all communities. The planned residential settlement Velje Brdo represents a significant urban project that will contribute to the expansion and development of Podgorica. It is expected that members of different religious communities, including the Muslim community, will settle in this settlement.
"Given specific religious needs, such as performing prayers and organizing religious and cultural events, we propose that a plot of land for the construction of a religious facility be provided in advance in the spatial plan," Mešihat states.
It was explained that a religious facility at this location would be of crucial importance to the Muslim community, allowing them to perform their religious duties near their homes. In addition, the construction of such a facility would further contribute, according to Meshihat, to the quality of life in the settlement, strengthening the community and multicultural spirit among the residents.
"We propose that the spatial plan of the Velje Brdo complex include a plot of land with an area of at least 2000m2, which would be intended for the construction of a religious building. The proposed building would not only be a place for prayer, but also a center for educational, cultural and social activities," Mešihat states.
Traffic makes religious obligations difficult
The Ministry partially accepted the objection, explaining that the construction of religious buildings is possible within the planned purposes, and that detailed development can define the locations for their implementation.
The Mešihat also submitted an initiative for planning a plot in the Delta City neighborhood with the aim of building a religious facility that will meet the needs of Muslim believers who live and work in this part of the city.
"The Muslim community represents an important part of the social mosaic of Podgorica. In new parts of the city, such as the Delta City settlement, a large number of members of this community live and work, and their numbers are continuously increasing."
The distance from existing religious buildings, along with daily traffic challenges, further complicates the performance of religious obligations. The construction of a religious building in this neighborhood would be a significant contribution to the integration of the religious needs of the Muslim community into the broader social framework of the city, thereby simultaneously preserving harmony among all citizens and improving social cohesion.
"In view of the above, we request that the spatial planning documentation for the Delta City settlement include a provision for a plot of land, approximately 500 m2, for the construction of a religious facility. This proposal not only reflects the real needs of Muslim citizens, but also contributes to the development of a modern urban concept that takes into account various religious and cultural specificities," Mešihat concluded.
The Ministry stated that the objection is partially accepted with the position "that within the framework of the planned purposes, the construction of religious buildings is possible in accordance with the regulations, and the implementation is based on a lower-level plan, in accordance with the prescribed program assignment."
The request of the Mešihat for the conversion of land on cadastral plot 7998/1, 7999 KO Podgorica III from SMG (low-density housing) to the purpose of a religious building was accepted.
The Metropolitanate also plans to build homes for the elderly.
MPC also requests that planning conditions be created for the construction of a nursing home on cadastral plots 3796 and 3800 KO Mataguži by assigning them the purpose of CD, within which, among other things, it is possible to build religious and social welfare facilities, as well as other compatible facilities in accordance with regulations. Our intention, states MPC, is to contribute to better care for those citizens who need special attention and care from the entire society.
"We know that there is a lack of places in nursing homes and we are interested in getting involved in solving this problem," the MPC said, while the Ministry explained that "the plot is within the purpose of the settlement, within which direct guidelines can be issued."
The MPC also stated that in the description of the location VO 12, which concerns the religious building in Zabjelo, the wrong cadastral plot number was entered, although the shape and position of the plot are correctly shown in the graphic. The Draft states that the plot in question is 4058/3 KO Podgorica II, and it should read 4058/4.
"Given that the city administration does not agree with the proposed location, another location within the settlement will be given," is the Ministry's response.
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