The Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro is making progress towards its objective: constructing the largest temple on the Adriatic coast dedicated to the holy apostle and evangelist Mark, which is planned to be established in Budva, on the site of the Church of St. Petka.

The Council for the Review of the Urban Planning Project for the Orthodox Cathedral Complex in Budva has provided a favorable assessment on the report regarding the public discussion of this planning document, setting the stage for the continuation of the process, including the formulation of a proposal for said planning document.

“In the upcoming steps of compiling the Urban Planning Project proposal for the Orthodox Cathedral Complex in Budva, it is essential to adhere to the feedback, suggestions, and proposals that have been accepted,” states the opinion from the seven-member Council, established by the Ministry of Spatial Planning in October 2022.

The Council’s findings were signed, according to documents released by the department led by Minister Slaven Radunović, on January 15th.

A public hearing concerning the Draft Urban Project took place in Budva in March, organized by the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property. Nevertheless, the Audit Council issued a negative assessment of the public hearing report in July. Subsequently, a revised Public Hearing Report was submitted to the appropriate ministry in September of the previous year, addressing the Council’s remarks.

The Government approved the draft Urban Planning Project for the Orthodox Cathedral Complex in Budva during a session led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajic at the beginning of December 2023.

The planning document includes the relocation of the existing city chapel, currently situated on the property of the Church of St. Petka on the city bypass from block 18 to the adjacent block 29.

In block 18, plans include a temple with an additional building, a bell tower, and a terrace. There are also provisions for a parking area with approximately 170 spaces, conservation of the Main cemetery, and the preservation of the Church of Saint Petka complex in line with the Cultural Heritage Protection Study.

In Block 29, a new city chapel with a terrace is proposed, following the design of the current city chapel, along with an access service road, and enhancements to the existing cemetery.

The foundation for developing the Urban Planning “Orthodox Cathedral Complex” is outlined in the Detailed Urban Plan “Podkošljun,” which also encompasses the expansion of the cemetery.

“The environmental and functional synergy, as well as the urban framework, demonstrate the necessity of considering blocks 18 and 29 as a singular entity of approximately 3.3 hectares,” the Government stated following the draft’s adoption.

One of the principal concerns acknowledged during the public hearing, as reported in the corrected document, was the requirement for any work conducted during the chapel’s transition from block 18 to block 29 to be based on the design of the existing chapel created by architect Slobodan Mitrovic.

“The existing chapel is a significant work by architect Slobodan Mitrović from Budva. An architectural survey is necessary to develop a project for the current state. The primary design of the new structure should align seamlessly with this, while accommodating the contemporary needs of users and the specifications of the new site,” reads the document.

The municipality initiated a competition for the chapel in 1986, which was won by Mitrović, as determined by the jury comprised of Tupa Vukotic, Kana Radovic, and Stevan Luketić. The main project was executed by RZUP, and construction of the structure was largely completed by 1987, with the decision to finalize the chapel made in 2005…

Three years ago, architect Mitrović reached out to Metropolitan Joaniki and then Chief State Architect Vladan Stevović, cautioning that the construction of a temple on the site of the current chapel would signify a continuation of Budva’s urban expansion, which he noted the church has now also embraced.

The temple’s construction was previously reported by the late Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Amphilochius, to “Vijesti” five years ago, indicating it would beautify the city.

In the summer of 2020, the Metropolis submitted a request to the then Acting Chief City Architect Mladen Ivanovic for approval of the conceptual design of the future temple. Ivanović pointed out that, per the existing DUP “Podkošljun,” an urban plan for the church complex would need to be developed, a task that then fell to the Ministry of Sustainable Development.

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