When people think of the Balkans, their minds often gravitate to the wars of the 1990s and the disintegration of Yugoslavia. Rarely, if ever, does the country of Montenegro make it onto their radar.
However, this small Adriatic nation, nestled between the mountains and the sea, with barely 600,000 citizens, has a fascinating Jewish history. And while Montenegro’s Jewish community has never been large, its roots run deep, making it a story worth telling.
Evidence suggests that Jews arrived in the region during Roman times, drawn by the Adriatic trade routes and the empire’s urban centers. Over the centuries, Jewish life in Montenegro was shaped by the unique geography and culture of the land: rugged mountains that fostered resilience, and coastal towns that encouraged connection.
Tracing Jewish history in Montenegro
One of the earliest and most intriguing historical traces of Jewish life in Montenegro can be found in the town of Ulcinj, where Jewish traders were active centuries ago along the Montenegrin coast. Ulcinj is also believed to be home to the burial place of Shabtai Zvi, the 17th-century false messiah.
Meanwhile, in Kotor and other Venetian-ruled areas, Jewish merchants helped link the Balkans with the Mediterranean world. These Jews were bridge-builders between East and West, preserving their faith while contributing to the societies around them.
Montenegro, long known for its fierce independence and tolerance, provided a relatively safe haven during times of regional turbulence. In the 19th century, when antisemitic violence swept parts of Europe, Montenegro’s prince-bishop, Petar II Petrović-Njegos, was known for his equitable treatment of minorities, including Jews. His principled stance set a precedent that carried into the 20th century.
During World War II, when hundreds of Montenegrin Jews faced their darkest hour in the Holocaust, the local population once again stood out. Despite Nazi occupation and local fascist collaborators, many Jews found refuge among the Montenegrin population. Stories of ordinary Montenegrins risking their lives to protect Jewish neighbors speak to the values of honor and solidarity that define the Montenegrin spirit.
Indeed, Montenegro was one of the few European territories where the majority of Jews survived the war. Though some were deported, many more were hidden by local families or managed to join the Yugoslav partisans. Among them were Jewish resistance fighters like Isak Altarac, who served with distinction in Montenegro’s mountainous terrain. Such heroism forged bonds in blood and struggle, creating a legacy that demands remembrance. Today, there are some 500 Jews who live in Montenegro.
Jewish heritage in Montenegro
Traces of Montenegro’s Jewish heritage remain etched into the landscape. In Kotor, historical records point to a small Jewish presence from the 17th century, with the Jewish cemetery overlooking the old town serving as a silent testament to a once-thriving community of traders and craftsmen.
In Ulcinj, local traditions speak of Jewish merchants and refugees settling during the 16th and 17th centuries, when the town was a bustling hub of Adriatic commerce under Ottoman control.
A particularly remarkable archaeological discovery was made in 1963 at the ancient Roman city of Doclea, near the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica, where a 3rd-century CE Jewish tomb was unearthed. Adorned with vivid frescoes of a seven-branched menorah, birds, vines, and a six-pointed star, it stands as one of the earliest known examples of Jewish burial art in the Balkans, underscoring the cosmopolitan character of Roman Doclea and the integrated status of its Jews.
Today, the Jewish community in Montenegro is small but vibrant. The reestablishment of organized Jewish life in recent years, such as the opening of the Podgorica synagogue in 2013, the country’s first, marks a renewal of the Jewish presence in this proud Balkan nation. The Montenegrin government has also demonstrated a genuine commitment to interfaith harmony and the preservation of Jewish heritage.
In 2012, Montenegro signed a historic agreement with the Jewish community, formally recognizing Judaism as an official religion and committing to protect Jewish cemeteries, sites, and cultural assets. This gesture – rare even in more populous nations – underscores Montenegro’s dedication to tolerance, religious freedom, and historical justice.
Now is the time to build on that foundation. Jewish heritage tourism, cultural exchanges, academic research, and cooperation with Israel and the wider Jewish world can all deepen these ties. For Jewish travelers, Montenegro offers breathtaking landscapes layered with history. For entrepreneurs and philanthropists, it offers a stable and welcoming partner eager to grow.
Next year marks 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Montenegro. The relationship is stronger than ever, with growing trade, tourism, and cultural ties. But the potential is far greater.
The future of Jewish-Montenegrin ties should not be left to symbolism alone. By investing in heritage preservation, promoting Jewish tourism, and strengthening diplomatic, business, and academic exchanges, both sides stand to gain. For Montenegro, it means access to Israel’s innovation and the Jewish world’s networks. For Jews, it means a steadfast ally on a continent where friends are not always easy to find.
In a world too often marked by betrayal, the story of Montenegro and the Jews reminds us that loyalty still exists. And that it should be repaid in kind.
The writer served as deputy communications director under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.