Cetinje tour guide

In the heart of Cetinje, on King Nikola Square, stands Zeta Hall – the oldest theater in Montenegro. Its construction began in 1884 and was completed in 1892, based on the design by Dr. Josip Slade Šiljanović, a renowned architect from Trogir. Originally, the building was planned as a cultural complex housing a theater, reading room, library, and museum. The first performance, The Balkan Empress – a play written by Prince Nikola himself – was staged even before the building was fully completed. Over time, Zeta Hall became a symbol of Montenegro’s modernization and European orientation. Although damaged during World War I, the theater was restored in 1931. Today, Zeta Hall remains a cornerstone of Cetinje’s cultural heritage.