Montenegro holds stories carved in stone – Venetian palaces, Orthodox monasteries, Islamic ornaments, and Austro-Hungarian fortresses. But how can a blind or visually impaired person experience the grandeur of Ostrog Monastery, the walls of Kotor, or the Emperor’s Bridge in Nikšić? Architecture is not just what we see – it is what we touch, hear, and feel.

As Goethe said: “Architecture is silent music.” Every structure has its own rhythm and story – from the echo of footsteps on Kotor’s cobbled streets to the harmony of nature and the monastery carved into the cliffs of Ostrog. This lexicon allows everyone to experience architecture in a new way – through sound, touch, and narration.

Soundscapes bring spaces to life through storytelling and ambient sounds, Tactile maps allow architecture to be “seen” through touch, Accessible digital guides connect history with modern technology.

Montenegro’s architecture is part of Europe’s cultural heritage, shaped by Venetian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian influences. This lexicon not only preserves history but makes it accessible to all – because heritage belongs to everyone, regardless of barriers.

Montenegro is a country where the past and present are carved in stone. Fortresses, palaces, monasteries, and bridges tell stories of centuries of trade, art, and cultural exchange. From the Venetian squares of Kotor and Ottoman mosques in Pljevlja to Austro-Hungarian fortresses in Herceg Novi, every structure bears the mark of time.

But what happens when someone cannot see these stories? How can a blind or visually impaired person experience the grandeur of Ostrog Monastery, the majesty of Kotor’s walls, or the architectural precision of the Emperor’s Bridge in Nikšić? Architecture is not just what we see – it is what we feel, touch, and hear.

From this idea, the Accessible Lexicon of Montenegro’s Architectural Heritage was created, designed to allow everyone to explore cultural landmarks in a new way – through sound, touch, and digital tools.

“Architecture is silent music,” said Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. And indeed, every building has its own melody, rhythm, and story.

The sound of footsteps on the cobbled streets of the Old Town of Bar, the creaking of wooden doors at the Cetinje Monastery, the echo of bells ringing from Kotor’s churches – all of these shape an invisible but deeply felt world of architecture, a world that can be experienced through the senses, not just through sight.

This idea led to the creation of the Accessible Lexicon of Montenegro’s Architectural Heritage, an initiative that uses innovative methods to allow blind and visually impaired individuals to experience architecture through touch, sound, and spatial awareness.

Audio guides immerse users in the soundscapes of architectural landmarks. Listening to the description of the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, one can hear waves crashing against Kotor’s ancient walls, church bells echoing, and a narrator describing the cathedral’s columns, mosaics, and intricate facade.

Tactile maps allow users to “see” architecture through their fingertips. Someone who has never seen Perast can now feel the layout of its stone palaces, tracing their structure through raised reliefs.

Accessible digital guides adapted for screen readers provide information on architectural styles, historical periods, and the significance of each building, enabling users to explore architectural heritage through interactive tools.

This accessible lexicon is not just a guide – it changes how people experience architecture.

During a workshop dedicated to exploring architecture through touch and sound, a blind girl carefully traces her fingers over a tactile map of the Old Town of Bar. Until now, she had only heard about it, but now she can feel the layout of its towers, squares, and walls, building her own mental image of the city.

Another participant, who once had sight but lost it over time, listens to an audio description of the Đurđevića Tara Bridge. The soundscape takes him on a journey, as he hears the roar of the river below, the wind rushing through the canyon, and the silence of the great height.

“This is not just architecture,” he says. “This is a story I can now understand.”

This lexicon not only preserves the past but opens it to everyone, regardless of physical barriers. Heritage does not belong only to those who can see it – it belongs to those who can touch it, hear it, and experience it through space and sound.

Architecture is not just form – it is an experience that belongs to everyone!

The European dimension of this initiative relates to the broader challenge across Europe to preserve cultural heritage and architectural treasures while also ensuring access for diverse populations. As Europe is home to rich heritage, there is an increasing drive to create inclusive cultural experiences. The idea behind the Accessible Lexicon fits within the European Union's commitment to preserving cultural heritage while ensuring accessibility for all citizens, especially vulnerable groups, such as people with visual impairments. 

Across Europe, museums, historical sites, and cultural treasures are adopting innovative methods to enable people with disabilities to engage with and enjoy the experiences these places offer. The Accessible Lexicon of Montenegro represents a significant step in this direction. It fits into a wider European trend of removing physical, sensory, and digital barriers to heritage. For example, initiatives like tactile tours of the Colosseum in Rome or audio guides in various European museums represent a growing push to incorporate all senses in the appreciation of historical monuments.

At the European level, this project aligns with the goals of inclusivity and shared heritage across the continent. The idea of using audio and tactile methods to explore architecture deeply connects with the European spirit of solidarity and shared history. The European Union's focus on preserving heritage aligns well with the goal of this initiative to break down barriers between people and their cultural heritage, regardless of physical limitations. This focus on accessibility and inclusivity ensures that people with disabilities are not excluded from the collective European narrative, fostering a sense of belonging and participation in the European cultural landscape.

The Accessible Lexicon of Montenegro's Architectural Heritage represents a step toward a more inclusive future, where architecture is not just a visual experience, but a multi-sensory one in which everyone can participate. It invites people to connect with the physical and emotional dimensions of cultural heritage, allowing them to experience buildings not just through sight, but through sound, touch, and interaction with the environment. This initiative creates a model that other European countries can follow, showing how innovation can bridge the gap between disability and cultural appreciation.

As Europe continues to celebrate its cultural heritage, the Accessible Lexicon of Montenegro's Architectural Heritage highlights the importance of promoting inclusivity. It serves as a beacon of what is possible when accessibility is prioritized in the preservation of cultural heritage. By embracing diversity and enabling all individuals, regardless of their ability to see, to connect with history, Europe is moving closer to the ideal of an inclusive society in which cultural heritage is shared by all. Through sound, touch, and innovative digital tools, Montenegro is making its rich architectural heritage accessible to everyone – an initiative that speaks to Europe's values of unity, diversity, and inclusion.

Ultimately, the Accessible Lexicon of Montenegro's Architectural Heritage is not just a national initiative, but part of a broader European effort to create accessible cultural experiences. It enables individuals to experience Montenegro’s extraordinary architectural landmarks in ways that were previously unimaginable, fostering a deeper connection to the past. From a European perspective, this is a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about accessibility and inclusion in cultural heritage across the continent, ensuring that the stories told by Europe's historic buildings are accessible to all.