Bucha Palace in Tivat

A magnificent landmark of medieval architecture, one of the main attractions of Tivat, Montenegro, towers over the historical downtown, over the red-tiled roofs of old whitewashed houses, over cobbled quarters with cozy family coffee shops and noisy youngsters bars.

The famous Bucha Palace was built in the Middle Ages at the beginning of the 14th century. Since then, it has delighted many guests of the town and amazed them with its splendor and beauty. Nothing has changed. It is hard to imagine even one modern traveler who, during their stay in Tivat, would not have looked into the beautiful palace of the famous Bucha family that served at the court of King Dusan the Mighty.

The monumental palatial complex includes several structures: a residential house, outbuildings, and, of course, the family temple, St. Michael’s Church. Despite numerous destruction and reconstructions, all buildings have been perfectly preserved to this day. However, they have lost their original look.

Today, you can see a mix of several architectural styles here. The first floor of the palace is in the early Romanesque style with some very discreet Gothic elements. Not all visitors can notice them. The second floor is the Gothic style in full swing. High arched, decorative mullioned, and three-light windows decorate its walls, letting in sunlight into the cool palatial halls. Two different architectural styles, Baroque and Renaissance, divide the third floor. Despite different styles, the palace looks like a unified architectural ensemble, as if it was erected once and no third-party architects or decorators ever touched it.

We are reminded of the power of the Bucha family and the subsequent owners of the complex, the Pima Pasquali family, by two family coats of arms that adorn the palatial facade. The one with the flower belongs to the ancient Bucha family; the one with the image of the duck is the Pasquali’s.

Currently, the splendid Bucha summer residence belongs to the town authorities. It hosts art exhibitions and various cultural events. Besides, there is a drama theater and a modern cinema hall within the premises of the palace.