Berane

Berane (Cyrillic: Беране) is a town in the northern part of Montenegro. It was once the administrative center of the Ivangrad district and is situated on the Lim River. Between 1949 and 1992, it was named Ivangrad in honor of the national hero Ivan Milutinović. The town boasts a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, when the area was known as Budimlja—a significant political and economic hub in medieval Serbia. In 1219, one of the first Serbian eparchies was established in Budimlja, and the Đurđevi Stupovi monastery was built there at the end of the 12th century. Berane was the site of numerous battles against the Ottomans and was finally liberated in 1912. In the 20th century, following World War II, it grew into one of Yugoslavia’s major industrial centers. However, after the breakup of the country in the 1990s, the town experienced significant economic decline. Today, Berane is one of the poorest municipalities in Montenegro, and its residents face considerable economic challenges. Despite this, it remains an important educational, medical, religious, and sports center, home to several cultural institutions such as the Polim Museum and the Cultural Center. The town has a strong sports infrastructure, with notable achievements in handball and table tennis. It is connected to the rest of the country by dual-carriage roads, and there are plans to revive the regional airport. In 2012, Berane marked the 150th anniversary of its founding and the 100th anniversary of its incorporation into Montenegro. Among the notable figures originating from Berane are artists, athletes, and historical personalities. The town is also a destination for pilgrimages due to its rich religious and cultural heritage, preserving traces of ancient monasteries and artistic traditions.