The King Nicholas Museum, aka The National Museum of Montenegro was established in 1926 in the residency of the last ruler of Montenegro, King Nikola I Petrović. The construction of the building lasted between 1863 and 1867. Its original function was to be the residency of the widow and daughter to Knjaz Danilo, Darinka.
Darinka left Montenegro, and it was then that the building became what it is today. Once the residency of the King, today this landmark serves as a safe keeping place of Montenegrin past. Montenegrins from Cetinje used to call the building “Novi Palac“ at the time when the Biljarda no longer housed all of the members of the royal family.
The building has 19 rooms, which are: the King’s study, a large room with a fireplace, a library, the Indonesian Parlor, the Venetian Parlor, the ceremonial dining room, the family dining room, the King’s guest parlor, the diplomatic parlor, the Queen’s guest parlor, the King’s bedroom, the Queen’s bedroom, the tea parlor, the room of Princess Ksenija, the room of Princess Vjera, as well as a music parlor.
When you visit this museum, you will see what the royal family lived like. The family’s clothing, uniforms, weapons, medals, bedrooms and portraits are also displayed. King Nikola had 9 daughters and 3 sons, and almost all of his daughters married into royal families of Europe, which is why he was called the European father-in-law. His most notable daughter, Jelena Savojska, married Emanuel II, and was a Montenegrin princess and second-to-last Queen of Italy.
The King’s other daughters were married into royal families of Europe, such as the Serbian Karađorđević family and the Russian Romanov family. Even the King’s son married European princesses. A large part of the family’s history and life is displayed in the museum, a testament to their truly royal lifestyle. King Nikola ruled over Montenegro for over 50 years, which is the longest time anyone has ruled over the country. Of those more than 50 years, Montenegro was only a kingdom for 9 years.
Ticket price for the museum of King Nicholas
The regular ticket price is: 5 €
Children and students 2.5 €
Working hours of King Nicholas' museum
The museum of King Nicholas is open from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 21:00
The museum is closed on Sundays
Author of the text:
Marijana Niković licensed tourist guide for Montenegro.
If you are interested in guided tours in English, please contact me at:
(Viber) 00382 68 230 241
