The culture of Montenegro developed under the influence of various civilizations, so that on this small territory are noticeable the impacts of Mediterranean, Medieval, Central-European and Oriental culture. Numerous cultural and historical monuments as well as rich museums, archive and library funds characterize Montenegrin cultural treasury. The first cultural contents originate from paleolithic period and they can be traced in archeological localities of which the most important one is Crvena Stijena (Red Cliff).

The best witness of Illyrian and Roman influence on these parts are remains of the constructions located in Duklja, Risan, Ulcinj, Budva and location Municipium S. in nearby of Pljevlja. The greatest concentration of artistic values of Montenegrin coast is evidently in Boka Bay, but it is also obvious in the architecture of Pre-romantic, Romantic, Gothic and Baroque style. Sacral monuments in whole Boka represent the culmination of artistic creation of which the most imposing ones are Cathedral of St. Trifun in Kotor, Church of Our Lady of Rocks located on the island of the same name and the Monastery Savina in nearby Herceg-Novi. Monastery complexes and fortresses that surround Lake Skadar are also important in historical and cultural sense.

Within the inland of Montenegro, there is great number of monasteries wherein is evident Byzantium influence in the architecture and fresco paintings. The most representative ones are the Monastery of Moraca, church of St. Trojice (Holy Trinity), Đurđevi Stupovi, Piva and the Monastry of Ostroge, the greatest shrine on the Balkans, very specific due to its position and ambiance as well. On these parts Islamic legacy also, remained throughout centuries, is presented in sacral and residential architecture. Its representative objects are Husein-pasha’s mosque in Pljevlja and Tower of the Redzepagics in Plav.

Tradition of writing is deeply rooted in Montenegro and it originates from the 12th century. Monuments of extreme value from this time are the Chronicle of Priest Dukljanin and The Miroslav’s Gospel, which is distinguished by its illumination and orthography, and in the 19th century was created the Divos’s Gospel of exceptional beauty and importance. The history of written works continued in transcribing, and then in an independent work that led to establishing the first state printing shop in the southeast Europe, at the end of the 15th century by Djuradj Crnojevic. Thanks to monk Makarije, in this printing shop the first Cyrillic incabula was printed in the countries of the South Slavs (Oktoih prvogasnik).

Although binded to Venice, the printing tradition continued through the work of Bozidar Vukovic and his son Vicence (the 16th c.), which confirmed the impact of Venice on Montenegrin culture. Cultural and literal heritage of the 17th century is significantly expressed in Boka, and the most important person of that time was a Baroque poet Andrija Zmajevic. Literature in these parts culminates in the work of Petar II Petrovic Njegos, and the other members of the dynasty had their contribution as well. The representatives of the written word of that time are also Marko Miljanov and Stefan Mitrov Ljubisa. The 19th century is characterized by great progress in culture, in both literal and architectonic sense.

In this century the religious capital Cetinje became a cultural center and it gained the appearance today defined as a town-museum. Among numerous constructions and museums of great importance are: an eternal Montenegrin center the Monastery of Cetinje with rich cultural treasury, Njegos’s residence Biljarda, and the 19th century Palace of King Nikola, the embassies of various countries, Blue Palace, theatre Zeta’s House, Government House. Huge contribution to cultural development also had the painters of whom the most important ones are Petar Lubarda, Milo Milunovic, Dado Djuric i Branko Filipovic Filo.

After WW II several theaters and film houses were founded which marked the intensive development of these arts on the Montenegro area. These arts gave several important creators. Besides the theaters, museums and libraries, Montenegrin culture is best presented with numerous galleries and traditional festivals.