The Church of Saint John the Baptist (also known as the Church of Saint John) in the Old Town of Budva is one of the oldest, most recognizable and most significant religious buildings on the Montenegrin coast.
Here are the key details and interesting facts about her:
Location and symbol of the city: It is located on the central square in the Old Town of Budva. Its high bell tower, built in the second half of the 19th century (1867), is the main visual dominant and the most recognizable motif of Budva.
History and age: According to tradition and historical sources, the original church in this place dates back to the 7th century. Over the centuries, it has been demolished several times (especially in devastating earthquakes) and rebuilt again. Until 1828, it served as the cathedral church of the Budva Diocese.
Icon of the Virgin of Budva (Santa Maria de Punta): This church houses a great shrine - a miraculous icon of the Virgin with Christ (known as the Budva Gospa), which is considered the protector of the city of Budva and dates from the early Middle Ages.
Architecture and interior: The church is a three-nave basilica built of stone. Its interior contains a rich inventory, including a valuable altar, glass mosaics, old paintings by Venetian masters and a rich archive/library within the rectory.
Significance and culture: Today, this is the main Catholic church in Budva, which, apart from its spiritual role, also has an exceptional cultural significance - during the summer months, numerous classical music concerts and programs are held in its surroundings and on the square in front of it as part of the "City Theater" festival.
