Bridges, Place Where Sides Merge is an original educational and artistic project. Through showcasing bridges of Montenegro, sharing their stories, sounds and photographs, this project speaks about diversity of population and culture in Montenegro and Balkan countries.

Bridges, are symbols of connection; connection between two near coasts or link between two cultures and two periods through the time. In Montenegro, there are many bridges that are old and are monuments of culture. These bridges, as the history of this country, are result of different cultures mixed with ours, in time of piece or war. These bridges, witnesses of these old times and carriers of history, tell stories that live until today as historically confirmed facts. Some of those stories and facts outgrew into the legends and are transferred from knee to knee through many generations. Area of Montenegro generally remembers several big influences on its culture and consequently it was reflected on the infrastructure: Roman, Ottoman, Austrian and Russian. All of them left something that Montenegrin people could be proud of, even though these great empires and cultures came across the resistance in this area. The result of this turbulent mixture today is seen in Montenegrin diversity and richness. One aspect of this mix is visible through bridges built in this area. Nearby Podgorica, capital of Montenegro, lay the remains of Roman city Doclea (Duklja). Doclea is positioned on the estuary of two significant rivers: Moraca and Zeta, and was a trading center on the way between two parts of Roman Empire, East and West. Local residents claim that there are visible remains of an accent bridge that used to connect two sides of river Moraca. Besides the remains of Doclea that refer to cultural and architectural influence of Rome, there are several others; for example, bridge on the river Mostanica near Niksic, second largest city in Montenegro. By some testimonies this bridge is built in 3rd century AD; restored in 1957, based on a photograph made in 1904. This photograph show completely preserved accent stone bridge, before great wars. One of most significant bridges from era of Ottoman Empire is the Vizier Bridge (Vezirov most). This bridge is one of the symbols of the capital city. In that period this was the only bridge across Moraca River. The bridge is built by The Great Vizier Mehmed Pasa Sokolovic in 16th century. Same Vizier was a patron of famous bridge on Drina River in Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge caries his name and the only Nobel Prize winner from Balkan countries Ivo Andric used it as a motive for his book Na Drini Cuprija. The bridge in Podgorica is reconstructed. It did lose a lot of its original look. It used to be arch stone bridge, with guard towers on both sides. Guards protected the city from the attacks of Montenegrin tribes. Besides this bridge, there are many more that are built during the rule of Ottoman Empire; for example beautiful Adzija’s Bridge (Hadzija is a pilgrim) in Bjelopavlici region. Also, at downtown Podgorica, there is a bridge, just where Ribnica river goes into Moraca. Romans, in their province Prevalis and city Birziminium build this bridge, and it survived the earthquake in 612. AD. Adzi Pasa Osmanagic later renews the bridge, and he names it. There is a ritual, still present in our country, where bride and groom meet at this bridge just before the wedding, as a symbol of binding and joining together into holy matrimony. Also, this bridge is a place of meeting and social activities for young people of Podgorica. Period of rule of Austrian Empire left its traces in the area of Boka Kotorska. One of the bridges that they built in this area is Matkovica Bridge. Matkovica Bridge is position at 450 meters above see level, and lies above Ljuti Potok stream. The bridge got the form that it has today in 19th century. Besides being used for transportation of goods and people, and the only connection of city of Herceg Novi and the rest of Montenegro, this bridge also had a cultural significance. Carev most (Tsar’s Bridge) iz located nearby Niksic. This bridge is built by order of Prince Nikola Petrovic in 1884, and with a help of Russian Emperor Aleksandar III. Other bridges that are important are Danilo’s Bridge at Rijeka Crnojevica, Velji Most in Virpazar and Bridge of Jelena Anzujska. There is a legend that some French prince, when passing by near, today’s city Danilovgrad, saw Jelena and took her for his wife. Years later Jelena built this bridge. Many of these stories and legends about bridges of Montenegro are transferred from knee to knee between generations, and as such, are hidden from general public and tourists whom are visiting Montenegro. Presented bridges are just some of many equally important, interesting and beautiful ones, known just to the locals in their area. Some of these bridges are still in use, in original state, some are renewed, and some of them remained just as scars on the riversides they connected.

Montenegro is an old country, positioned in South-East Europe. It is Mediterranean country where mountains dive directly into the sea; where rivers are so clean and they are called tears; where people believe in legends stronger than what they see with their own eyes. Its geographical location and wild beauty was always interesting to others, whether they came as tourists, explorers, or conquerors. When in Montenegro, they would realize they are not the only one interested in this small, just on first glance, insignificant area. In any case, all of them brought piece of their culture and built it in Montenegro. The process of construction lasts for centuries, and today this country reveals as a beautiful and colorful bridge between all of them. As Montenegro is symbolically a bridge between East and West, in the same way we could follow the history of this country through real bridges made by locals and newcomers. All of theses bridges have something unique; their real stories, needs, and legends. Today we admire these bridges. After so many years, many of them are still here. Their look or significance might be changed, but the rocks, ornaments, shapes of the arcs, sound of the water, winds, or steps connects us with the stories of their glory days. They are telling it to everyone, even to accidental passerby, we just need to be careful and observant enough to hear it. Once this story is heard, the bridge, any bridge, gets a new dimension; it becomes our symbolical bridge to the past. While exploring their past we explore and learn about all the influences and cultures of Europe.