The Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church submitted to the Secretariat for Urban Planning and Sustainable Development of the Municipality of Budva a request for the issuance of urban and technical conditions (UTU) for the construction of the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Mark on the property of the Church of Saint Petka on the city bypass in Budva.
The request, which "Vijesti" had access to, is signed by the Diocesan Board of Directors of the MCP, and the Municipality is asked to provide them with what the detailed urban plan "Podkošljun" envisages for the land complex within urban plot 4, block 18 of that planning document.
Two weeks ago, the mayor Nikola Jovanovic held a working meeting with the Metropolitan Ioannici, at which, as it was announced at the time, key issues related to "the dynamics of project implementation, institutional cooperation and coordination of all activities, with a special focus on preserving the spiritual, cultural and historical values of the city" were discussed.
"The importance of this temple for believers was highlighted, but also for Budva as a space of rich tradition and recognizable cultural identity. Through open and constructive dialogue, the willingness of all participants to implement the project responsibly and in a spirit of togetherness, for the benefit of the local community and future generations, was confirmed," Jovanović said at the time.
The Municipality of Budva and the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral concluded an agreement on the construction of the Church of St. Mark on November 11th last year.
The agreement was signed in the Cetinje Monastery by Joanikije and Jovanović.
"This event represents a historic act and one of the first agreements of this kind in Montenegro, confirming the essential cooperation between the local government and the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral. By signing this document, the Municipality of Budva once again confirms its commitment to supporting projects that connect tradition, culture and spirituality, as fundamental values that shape the identity of our city and the entire community," the local government announced at the time.
The construction of the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Mark, as they said, is planned in accordance with the Urban Planning Project for the Cathedral Complex, "and will be realized as a religious, cultural and architectural facility of special importance for Budva and its citizens."
The Municipality of Budva has committed to financing the development of complete project and technical documentation, the municipal equipment of the location, as well as to award a donation of one million euros to the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, which is planned in the Municipality's budget for 2026.
Also, the local government will participate in the financing and construction of underground garages within the complex of the future temple.
The Budva Municipality kept its promise, and included a million-dollar donation to the Serbian Orthodox Church in this year's budget, but the money, as "Vijesti" was told, has not yet been transferred to the church's account.
The construction of the Orthodox cathedral is planned on the site where the city chapel is currently located, the relocation of which is a prerequisite for the start of work.
Obtaining a UTU is the first document in the permit obtaining procedure, because based on this document, a conceptual design is prepared, which must be approved by the Chief State Architect, and then the main design is prepared.
The preparation of the documentation will be financed from the city treasury, and during that time the Municipality will have to relocate the chapel about a hundred meters further, to the city cemetery.
The planning document envisages the relocation of the existing city chapel, located on the property of the Church of St. Petka on the city bypass from block 18 to the neighboring block 29.
A temple with an accompanying building, a bell tower and a plateau are planned in block 18. A parking area with around 170 spaces, conservation of the Main cemetery and preservation of the St. Petka church complex are also planned in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Protection Study.
In Block 29, the construction of a new city chapel with a plateau is planned in accordance with the project of the existing city chapel, access service road, expansion and arrangement of the existing cemetery.
The planning basis for the development of the UP "Orthodox Cathedral Complex" is given in the Detailed Urban Plan "Podkošljun", which also defines the expansion of the cemetery.
"The ambient and functional connection, as well as the urban layout, indicate the necessity of considering blocks 18 and 29 as a single unit of approximately 3,3 hectares," the Government announced after the adoption of the draft.
One of the key objections accepted at the public hearing was that when relocating the chapel from block 18 to block 29, work should be done based on the design of the existing condition of the chapel.
"The existing chapel is a valuable work of authorship by the architect Slobodan Mitrovic from Budva. It is necessary to conduct an architectural survey in order to develop a project of the existing condition. The main design of the new facility should be done entirely in accordance with the same, with the possibility of adapting to the modern needs of users and the requirements of the new location," the document states.
“Vijesti” previously reported that the existing chapel is the work of architect Slobodan Mitrović from Budva. The Municipality announced a competition for the chapel in 1986, when Mitrović won the award. The jury decided this Tupa Vukotic, Kana Radovic i Stevan LuketićThe main project was done by RZUP and in 1987 the structure was roughly designed, when the chapel was completed in 2005.
Four years ago, architect Mitrović wrote to Metropolitan Joanikije and the then chief state architect. Vladan Stevović, warning them that the construction of a temple on the site of the current chapel would represent a continuation of Budva's urbanization, which, as he stated, the church has now also entered.
The construction of the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark was announced for "Vijesti" six years ago by the now deceased Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral. Amphilochius, stating that it will be the decoration of the city.
"God willing, we will build the temple of the Apostle Mark, and now it depends on the people of Budva. And it needs to be built, because it is the oldest temple that ever existed. It is time to restore that temple. The Apostle Mark is above that lion (Saint Mark is usually depicted in paintings with a winged lion, because he emphasizes the power of resurrection and overcoming death - ed.), and the lion is in the coat of arms of Montenegro. If we want to sanctify the coat of arms of Montenegro in the right way, then we need to build the temple of the Holy Apostle Mark," Amfilohije said at the time.
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