Danilo I allowed the establishment of the post "in order to appease the Republic of Venice", the office being held by a civilian governor whose main role was to protect Venetian interests in Montenegro.

Some think that the first guvernadur was Jovan Anthony guvernadur Bolica, "gouvernatore del Monte Negro" (1688–1692), crew chief of the military in the Republic of Venice on Cetinje.

Montenegro's first guvernadur was Djikan Vukotic, whose son Vukajle refused to be first guvernadur due to the suspicion that his father was poisoning Venetians because they were dissatisfied with his work.

Then came Stefan Kovacevic (Cuca) and Vukadin Vukotic (Cevo) (1739–1742).

Guvernadurs from Radonjic family held this hereditary position of a definite political influence and its effects were in opposition to Prince-bishopric house of Petrović-Njegoš.