The Cetinje Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the historic royal capital of Cetinje, Montenegro. It stands as one of the most significant spiritual and cultural centers in the country, with a history deeply intertwined with the Montenegrin state, church, and national identity.

Founded in 1701 by Prince-Bishop Danilo I Petrović-Njegoš on the site of an earlier monastery, the complex was built as the new seat of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral. The original monastery, established in 1484 by Ivan Crnojević, was located on Ćipur hill but was destroyed by the Venetians in 1692. The current monastery's construction utilized materials from the ruined court of Ivan Crnojević, symbolizing continuity and resilience.

The monastery houses an invaluable collection of Christian relics and artifacts of immense historical importance. Among its most treasured possessions are the right hand of Saint John the Baptist, a particle of the True Cross, and the icon of the Our Lady of Philermos, also known as the "Philerimos Mother of God." These relics were historically safeguarded by the Order of the Knights Hospitaller on Rhodes and later on Malta, before coming into the possession of the Russian Imperial family and eventually being transferred to Montenegro in the late 19th century.

Throughout its existence, the monastery has served not only as a religious site but also as a center of learning and resistance. It was a bastion of Montenegrin independence during the long periods of conflict with the Ottoman Empire. The monastery's printing house, established in 1494, was one of the first in the Balkans and played a crucial role in preserving Slavic literacy and culture, producing important religious and secular texts.

The architectural complex includes the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, which contains the tomb of Saint Peter of Cetinje (Peter II Petrović-Njegoš), a revered ruler and poet. The monastery also serves as the final resting place for several members of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty. Despite damage during various conflicts, including World War II, the monastery has been carefully restored and remains an active monastic community and a major pilgrimage site.

As the seat of the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, the Cetinje Monastery continues to be a pivotal institution for the Serbian Orthodox Church in the region. Its rich treasury, library, and museum attract scholars and visitors from around the world, offering profound insight into the spiritual, political, and cultural history of Montenegro and the wider Orthodox Christian world.