Independence Square, formerly known as Republic Square or Square of the Republic () is the central town square of Podgorica, Montenegro. It is located in Nova Varoà ¡ (, lit. "New Town"), which is the administrative and socio-cultural heart of the city. The square covers an area of 5,000 square metres. Both the city library "Radosav LjumoviÃÂ", and the state gallery "Art", are located in the square.
The square is bordered by Ulica Slobode (Freedom street) to the east, and Njegoà ¡eva Ulica (Njegoà ¡'s Street) to the west. Both Njegoà ¡eva and Slobode streets are newly renovated pedestrian zones - with Ulica Slobode also being a popular shopping street. Bokeà ¡ka and VuÃÂedolska Street create the square's northern and southern borders, respectively. A pedestrian passage connects the Republic Square to Podgorica's City Hall and the Montenegrin National Theatre building.
Trg Republike was until 2006 known as Trg Ivana MilutinoviÃÂa (Ivan MilutinoviàSquare) â a famous Montenegrin communist politician, military general and national hero. In 2006, the year of the Montenegrin independence, the square underwent a massive reconstruction. It was widened, paved, a big central fountain was constructed and the area was turned into a car-free zone. The square was decorated with colonnades, palm trees and water channels. The whole project cost around 2.5 million Euros.