Leaning on the southern ridge, the Citadel proudly dominates the Old Town of Budva.
According to the historian Goran Bubanja, this medieval fortification, also known as the Fortress of St. Mary, was first mentioned in 1425.
Don Krsto Ivanović also mentions the Citadel in his annals of Budva, who says that the Citadel was created in ancient times and belonged to ancient peoples, most likely it belonged to the ancient people, that it was created in the Illyrian period and it was probably an acropolis, a sanctuary It got its present form only in 1826, for the first time in written sources, according to Miro Luketić, it was mentioned in 1425 as the Castle of St. Mary, why because the church of St. Mary was located within the Citadel. Unfortunately, it does not exist today, because it will be demolished In 1826, when the Citadel was being expanded to take its current shape during the Austro-Hungarian period, it was demolished to the ground, even as Miro Luketić says, the remains of icons were also found on the outline of the church," said historian Goran Bubanja.
The citadel played a key role in the protection of Budva from enemies, Bubanja says, so the fenced area, the Barbican, is also located there.
"The population from the Old Town would be housed in the Barbican, and on it, the Barbican, there were towers, on which there were loopholes and as Don Krsto describes, there were also three cannons that defended the Citadel from the south side."
Bridging the past and the future, the Citadel enchants everyone who sets foot on its stony ground.
"I come from Alaska, it's my first time here and I really like it. I especially like the panorama, and this old part."
On the second floor of the Citadel there is a library with a considerable number of antiquarian books and records, which is considered one of the most recognized libraries of its kind in the Balkans.
A witness of changes throughout history, the Citadel is open for visits every day from nine o'clock, and the entrance fee is three euros.
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