Kotor Montenegro description. Kotor: old town and attractions. Church of St. Anne

Old town of Kotor

Earthquakes regularly occur here, the last time Kotor was partially destroyed in the 1970s, but the medieval city center has been preserved: there are no less than six Romanesque churches dating from the 12th-13th centuries, many wonderful old mansions, from palaces to small private houses located in a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets and squares. Kotor and its surroundings belonged to the Venetian Republic for more than 400 years, and the influence of Venetian architecture is noticeable in the appearance of the city.

The city walls of Kotor, some sections of which date back to the 9th century, are one of the best examples of fortification art in Europe. The height of the walls reaches 20 m, the width in some places exceeds 10 m, the perimeter is 5 km, and, covering the city, the walls rise to the top of a steep cliff to the fortress of St. John, from where you can admire stunning views of the city and the bay.

Behind the mighty walls there is a noisy market where they sell vegetables and fish, and a harbor. This medieval city is like a labyrinth, in which, however, it is impossible to get lost due to its small size - you just wander a little. The streets remain largely unnamed, although some of them have unofficial names attached to them. For example, one of them is called “Let me pass” - the name speaks for itself. Irregularly shaped city squares are known by names reflecting their former purpose: Flour Square, Dairy Square, Wooden Square, and so on. There are cats scurrying everywhere, and their absolute monarch is Michun ("Big"). He can be seen walking back and forth near the Cathedral of St. Tryphon. Don't try to talk to him: like all sentries, he will ignore you.

Kotor is declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Entertainment and relaxation

In Kotor and its surroundings, all conditions for extreme and active recreation have been created. This includes rock climbing, diving and hiking in the mountains. Above the city, at an altitude of 550 meters, rises the Vrmac mountain range, which is very convenient as a launching pad for paragliders.

The Bay of Kotor is very popular among both professional divers and beginners.

Every summer, festivals and celebrations take place in Kotor, for example the Kotor International Summer Carnival. This is one of the most attended events in Montenegro.

The KotorART festival is less famous, but also interesting. And the Children's Theater Festival is held especially for children.

In the Old Town of Kotor there are many cafes, fish and meat restaurants, as well as shops. The 4-star Hotel Cattaro features the MAXIMUS nightclub and casino.

History of Kotor

The special character of Kotor is due to its history. The city has always been a place of intersection and mixing of styles, Western European and Byzantine. This is reflected even in the character of the stone from which Kotor is made, with its variety of textures and palette of colors and veins. And Jovan Martinović feels: “This stone speaks to you; touch it, run your hand through its history.” The same visceral reverence is sometimes felt for the boulders that rise on the hills of Wales, or the crumbling bricks of the beautiful old houses of Amsterdam.

There are countless legends about how Kotor appeared: for example, there is a romantic story about the nymph Alkimi (Alkimede), the mother of Jason, who was looking for the Golden Fleece, who led the unknown founder of the city to the plain, where there was an abundance of fresh water. She is remembered here every month, when a new moon rises high above the rocks, above the natural stone “bridge,” looking like a hanging hammock. Local residents then say: “Look, it’s Alkimi admiring the beautiful Kotor from his golden boat.”

Be that as it may, in Byzantine times there was already a settlement here called “Decaderon”. In the Middle Ages, the city was taken over by the Slavic rulers Zeta and Raska, who had residences here. At that time it enjoyed significant autonomy, from 1391 to 1420 Kotor (with adjacent lands) was an independent city-republic, with an elected prince, a senate and councils of citizens, and even minted its own coin. Since the Turkish threat never abated, Kotor came under the protection of Venice. In general, new rulers and occupiers appeared here 14 times (let’s also note the British occupation in 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars). However, according to the residents of Kotor, their city was never taken by force of arms: “On November 21, 1944, the Germans simply left here.” But the city suffered from three major earthquakes - in 1563, 1667 and 1979, and in 1572 there was an outbreak of plague.

Sights of Kotor

Kotor is shaped like a triangle and has three gates. The main ones, near the embankment, are built in the Renaissance style (XVI century); the northern ones, with a suspension bridge across the turbulent river Shkurda, were built in 1540 to commemorate the victory over Khair ad-din Barbarossa, who, with a fleet of 200 ships and 60,000 people, unsuccessfully besieged Kotor.

The third, southern gate, was cunningly constructed from three parts; one of their elements is a drawbridge, under which at high tide, thanks to the Grudič stream, a brackish pond is formed. These gates were of great importance because they opened passage to the highlands of Montenegro and the interior of the country.

The old city, as before, is surrounded by walls. They are 4.5 km long and twice as long as the walls of Dubrovnik; they rise picturesquely all the way to the crest of the rocky hills that rise beyond the dark city buildings and the harbor. The first fortifications were erected here in Byzantine times, but under the Venetians they were significantly strengthened, and Kotor became one of the most fortified cities on the Adriatic.

To see all the walls, exit the old town through the northern gate, leave the Skurda River on your left and climb the hills in an easterly direction, from the Church of St. Maria. From here you will ascend, accompanied by butterflies, along a winding path with several flights of stairs carved into the rocks (1350 steps may seem like a lot, but you'll be stopping at every turn to take in the surroundings). Having climbed to the highest point - 260 m - you will find yourself in the fortress of St. Ivan, where silence now reigns. Halfway to the observation deck you will pass the Chapel of Our Lady of the Savior (Gospe od Zdravlja) XVI century, which was built by the people of Kotor who escaped the plague epidemic. Most likely, it will be locked, but through the door you can peer into its dark interior. As you ascend to the fortress, beautiful views and impressions will be in abundance: to the west, far below, you will see rows of red roofs; You can hear the barely audible noise of the small port and the roar of its market. To the east there is a steep gorge in which centuries lie dormant; Bees hover lazily among the wild cyclamens, and from somewhere below, from under the rock, the contented squeaking of chickens invisible from here can be heard.

Allow at least an hour and a half for the entire walk and bring drinks with you.

Old Kotor

Immediately outside the main gate is the Armory Square - the largest in the city; There are several cafes along its perimeter. To the left is the unfinished princely palace from the Renaissance, and next to it, in the far northern corner of the square, is one of the oldest theaters in Yugoslavia; it was built by the French in 1810 and is now part of the Cattaro Hotel. Opposite the gate there is a medieval pillory, and behind it is a clock tower, built at the beginning of the 17th century; a clock was built into it in 1810. Diagonally from it, in the eastern part, there is the Vardar Hotel and a post office. A narrow street running south from the main gate passes between two mansions: on the left is "Bizanti" (XVII century), and on the contrary - “Bezucha” (XVIII century); further on there is a small square dominated by the Renaissance Pima Palace, with a long Baroque balustrade.

From here begins another narrow street, which leads to the square in front of the Cathedral of St. Tryfona is the most famous landmark of Kotor. It was consecrated in 1166, five and a half centuries before St. Peter's Cathedral in London, three centuries before the discovery of America and 254 years before the Venetians settled in Kotor. During excavations in 1987, it was proven that a church had previously stood on its site. Its round hall has now become part of the sacristy of the cathedral, and part of the building overlooks the streets between the cathedral and the bishop's house (XIV century)- in the courtyard of this house, Captain Martinovich stole oranges as a child. This ancient church dates back to the 9th century, at which time the Boka Kotorska Bay Sailors' Guild arose. (Bokeska mornarica), a professional mutual aid association that still preserves its ancient traditions, its songs and its version of the Kolo round dance. In the first week of February, during a ceremony in memory of the martyrdom of St. Tryphon, you can see all this with your own eyes when the guild members put on their ceremonial costumes. Or you can buy a CD of their lively, rhythmic music (Bokeljski mornari). The cheapest place to buy is from the kiosk at the main gate.

Cathedral of St. Tryphon

Despite the fact that the Cathedral of St. Tryphon was rebuilt several times over several centuries; it remains an outstanding monument of Romanesque architecture. After its western facade collapsed during the catastrophic earthquake of 1667, the bell towers, rebuilt from warm stone from Korcula, gave the structure a baroque touch. They are connected by a wide arch with a balustrade that runs over the entrance to the temple, with its characteristic rose window. To the right of the main entrance is the tombstone of Andreas Saracenis, who built the church that previously stood here, and his wife Maria (with inscriptions from the 9th century). But the main element of the majestic interior of the temple is the ciborium of its high altar - a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. The three-row octagonal structure, topped with the figure of an angel, is supported by four columns made of red Kamenari marble. On each of the rows are carved scenes from the life of St. Tryphon. Traces of frescoes have recently been discovered in the chancel and on the vaults of the nave. It has already been proven that they were painted in the 14th century, but it is unclear whether the artists who created them, in whose work there is a noticeable Byzantine influence, were Serbs or Greeks. Once upon a time, all the walls of the temple were covered with frescoes.

Relics of St. Tryphon were brought here from Constantinople in the 9th century. They are now kept in a 14th-century reliquary chapel, with a frieze of white Carrara marble; This is an exceptionally fine work by an 18th century Venetian sculptor. Francesco Cabianchi - even the nails on the horses' shoes are visible. (Another example of his work, a multicolored baroque altar, can be seen in the Franciscan Church of St. Clare, which stands to the west.) But most impressive is the large wooden crucifix with the image of Christ, which is not so easy to forget; Moreover, it is mystifying: its origin is yet another mystery.

According to legend, St. Tryphon was a goose herder in Phrygia and, as a boy, suffered martyrdom for refusing to sacrifice to a statue of the Roman emperor. In Great Britain, he is considered the patron saint of gardeners.

Other places in Old Kotor

Nearby you can see a building built in the 16th century. the Drago Palace, with its characteristic Gothic window details; Previously, a private house of the 12th century stood on this site, which was destroyed during the earthquake of 1667 by the collapsed facade of the cathedral. Next is the Baroque Grgurina Palace, which houses the Maritime Museum (082 325646; [email protected]; opening hours: July-September, Mon-Sat - 08:00-13:00, 18:00-23:00, Sunday - 09:00-13:00; in October-July closes at 17:00-18:00). The exhibition here is richer than in the Perast Maritime Museum; it serves as a reminder of how inextricably linked the cities of the bay are with the sea, and tells of a maritime brotherhood that has existed since the 9th century. to this day. In the 18th century More than 400 ships from the Bay of Kotor sailed the seas of the world, and another 300 ships plied the nearby waters. There is a magnificent collection of paintings dedicated to great naval battles, maps, weapons, furniture and costumes, as well as very interesting naval items. In Kotor, there are a number of local details of the national costume: for example, oddly enough, the black veil of brides. Also puzzling is the whole battery of painted bottles with dedication inscriptions: “remember me” or “to my beloved”; All this makes one wonder whether these bottles were intended to replace the lack of photography, whether they served as floating talismans or keepsakes, or whether they were thrown into the sea, losing all hope? Surely someone here knows the answer.

But the list of attractions does not end there. Along the city's winding, pink-stone streets, many buildings are currently being restored. Don't miss the beautiful Church of St. Luke, built in 1195, faces the municipality. It was built as a Catholic church, but then, in 1657, it was transferred to the Orthodox Church, and now it is used by both faiths.

Near the northern gate is the Bastion restaurant; From here there is a street leading to the hills near the city, and here stands the Church of St. Maria. The pink and white stone of the church is a legacy of the 14th century, but this is another example of a temple built on the site of an older church (allegedly, the first Episcopal Church of Kotor used to stand here). Over the past decade, remains of a 6th-century baptistery from the time of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian have been found here. (From the early Middle Ages, St. Mary was considered a patroness, and in most medieval cities you can see churches dedicated to her.) Several 17th-century frescoes with Serbian-Byzantine influence were discovered here, as well as a crucifix, which was discovered in the 1980s. restored. In 1984, during its recovery, three coins were found, believed to date back to 1374. The origin of the crucifix remains a matter of debate, but it is argued that the work is typical of Austria and the cross is very reminiscent of crucifixes that can be seen in Venice, Trieste and Split. The finest of the details of this sculpture are carefully crafted, as are the details of the horse's hooves carved by Cabianca: the agony on Christ's face and curled toes are visible from any angle. In 1940, Rebecca West wrote about this crucifixion:

“...a crucifix with a suffering Christ, with a real crown of thorns and human hair, a learned monk of the seventeenth century - must have been a great liar - attributed to Michelangelo...”

In the last century this church was dedicated to Bertha Hosanna, a nun (there are not many of them in the calendar of the Serbian Orthodox Church), - she was canonized 75 years ago for her participation in the fight against the pirate Barbarossa (in the 16th century). Scenes from her life are carved in bas-relief above the large doors of the temple, and the nun's sarcophagus is installed inside.

Hotel deals

Getting around Kotor

Outside the city gates of Kotor, the movement of any vehicles is prohibited. Keep this in mind when planning your hotel check-in, luggage delivery, or travel plans. There is a safe and inexpensive car park near the bay, opposite the main western gate; there is another one at the northern entrance, on the other bank of the Shkurdy River. Attention: when marble pavements get wet, they are very slippery.

Taxis, public and private, are always ready to take their passengers to their destination. You can always bargain with a private owner.

Minibuses run along the coast.

During the tourist season, large beautiful cruise ships always come to the bay.

How to get there

Tivat International Airport is located 5 km from the city. From here there are daily flights to major European cities. During the season, the number of flights increases sharply.

Several buses leave for Kotor daily from Podgorica, Budva, Herceg Novi, and Tivat. The trip from Podgorica takes about two hours (6 euros), from Budva - about an hour, and from Tivat - about 45 minutes. The movement of buses depends on the traffic situation, which can be very difficult on the coast during the holiday season. Direct connection with Cetinje (via Cattaro and Njegusi's Stairs) not at the moment. To get to Kotor from Cetinje, you will have to go through Budva.

Bus station (082 325809) located in the eastern, mountainous part of the city, from where the roads to Tivat and Budva diverge, not far from the main gate; It's a five-minute walk from here to the old town.

GKotor's greatest treasure -Old city . Walking through the narrow streets and squares of the Old Town, you can see palaces, churches, mansions, and administrative buildings preserved from the Middle Ages. INIn 1979, Old Kotor was included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, as the city managed to preserve its original medieval appearance.

The old city is surrounded by powerful fortress walls, the length of which is more than 4 km, height - 20 meters, and width - from 0.5 to 16 meters. These walls were built to protect againstattacks by the Turks and other enemies.

On the territory of the ancient city there are 11 churches, 11 palaces, 19 administrative buildings (library, post office, theater, cinema, museums, etc.), 24 bastions, shops, cafes, restaurants and 38 hotels (hotels inside the Old Town )

Sea Gate

INThe old town can be entered through one of three gates: through the main Sea Gate (1555) opposite the city port, or through the South Gate of Gurdich(XIIIV.), or through the Northern River Gate, built in honor of the victory over the Turkish general BarbarossaIIV 1539 year.

Arms Square

Passing through the Sea Gate, we find ourselves in the largest square of the city -Oru Square live . There are many restaurants, souvenir shops, ATMs, but the first thing that catches your eye is Chace tower,built in 1602,After the 1979 earthquake, the tower stands at an angle. At the foot of the Clock Tower there is a pillory, where the guilty were punished by the verdict of the authorities.

Princely Palace

INPrincely Palace on the Square of Arms (Trg od oružja)Venetian governors lived until 1788. The Prince's Palace in Kotor is one of the valuable monuments of the Renaissance. Currently, there are restaurants and souvenir shops on the ground floor of the palace, and a hotel on the second floor.

To the right of the Sea Gate isArsenal (1420).INDuring the Middle Ages, near this place there was a defensive bastion - the Campana fortress and a shipyard. A separate room was required for the repair and storage of ammunition and weapons, so a building was built designed for such purposes. The defenders of the city gathered in the square in front of the Arsenal when the city was in danger. Today the military galley “Saint Tryphon” is located here.

Bisanti Palace

On the corner of the Square of Arms there isBisanti Palace ( Palata Bizanti), belonging to the Bisanti family withXIVByXVIIcentury The family name was glorified by writers, sailors, and priests. The Bisanti Palace was built in the 14th century. The palace was reconstructed several times, the last large-scale reconstruction was carried out after the earthquake of 1667. The appearance of the palace changed somewhat after reconstruction; a northern wing was added to the palace (1674).

Cathedral of Saint Tryphon

The main temple of Kotor isTo Cathedral of Saint Tryphon , patron saint of seafarers of Kotor. Legend has it that, returning from a campaign, the sailors decided to take Saint Tryphon to Asia Minor in 809, but a storm in the bay prevented them from sailing. Then local residents bought the relics from the sailors. Now the relics of Saint Tryphon are kept inside the temple, which was built in 1166, but it was rebuilt several times due to destruction from earthquakes.

Church of St. Nicholas

Church of St. Nicholas on St. Luke's Square was built on the site of an old church that burned down in the 19th century. Construction of the temple began in 1902 and continued until 1909. Church documents, works of handicraft, old icons are kept in the Church of St. Nicholas; the “Three-Handed” icon is considered the most valuable icon.

Church of St. Luke

In 1195 aCatholicChurch of St. Luke . Initially, it was a purely Catholic church, but after Orthodox refugees from the Grbalj Valley arrived in the city in 1657, fleeing Turkish oppression, a second altar was built inside the church for services. Until 1930, burials of townspeople were carried out inside the church, so the floor of the church is made from gravestones. Currently, the church is Orthodox, although the Catholic altar has been preserved here.

Lombardich Palace

To the right of St. Luke's Church there is a three-storyLombardich Palace . The palace was built in the mid-18th century and consists of several buildings that have entrances on the northern, western and eastern sides of the palace. In 1804-1806, the Russian Consulate was located in the Lombardich Palace.

Pima Palace

On one of the squares of the Old Town there isPima Palace ( Palata Pima). Castlebelonged to the noble Pima family, the most famous people from this family were: Bernard Pima (poet of the 15th century), Jerome Pima (poet of the 17th century), Ludevit Pima (professor of law of the 17th century).DThe Pima Palace was built in the 17th century, during the Renaissance, thanks to which elements of two styles were combined here:fThe garden of the building with its lower terrace is built in the Renaissance style, and the windows and upper balcony are in the Baroque style.

Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum Kotor is located in the Grgurina Palace (XVIII century). The Maritime Museum in Kotor was opened in 1900. In this museum you can learn the history of navigation in these parts, see various marine equipment, ancient maps and ship's logs, ship models, navigation instruments, the remains of sunken ships raised from the bottom of the sea, portraits of famous captains. Near the Maritime Museum there is the Karampana fountain, which was a source of drinking water in Old Kotor.

St. Mary's Church

Near the Northern River Gate is locatedchurch St. Mary's , built in 1221 on the site of the old cathedral. In the 14th century, the church was decorated with frescoes; only fragments of ancient frescoes have survived to this day. The church houses wooden crucifixes from the 14th century, two altars made of multi-colored marble and the relics of Blessed Ozana, one of the patrons of the city, who lived in the 16th century. Local residents call this church after the saint - the Church of Blessed Ozana.

Road to the fortress on the mountain

Behind St Mary's Church isGrubonia Palace . It’s hard to recognize this building as a palace; on the ground floor there are various boutiques and souvenir shops, but it’s worth looking up and paying attention to the unusual details:carved lion heads propping up the window sills. And the most noticeable detail of the palace is a relief with a skull and crossbones, snakes crawling out of the eye sockets, and a mouse, rat and turtle crawling under the skull. This medieval symbolXIV centurybelonged to Kotor pharmacists. To the left of the palace there is an exit to the road to the fortress of St. John on the mountain. The entrance is a beautiful arch, which is attached to the neighboring building. The arch is decorated with a medallion with the winged lion of St. Mark, and the Latin phrase “Via Regia munitae Rupis” (main road to the fortress on the mountain).

To climb the mountain you need to pay 3 euros and be sure to wear comfortable shoes, it is advisable to have drinking water with you. In rainy weather, climbing the mountain is prohibited.

Church of Our Lady of Health

On the slope of Mount Shitrovnik there issmall orthodox churchtsChurch of the Mother of God Health. This church was built in the 15th century, but was first mentioned in historical sources only in 1518. The church was built in honor of the Mother of God in gratitude for delivering the city from the plague epidemic. They brought here the icon of the healing Mother of God of Health, which was known for the gift of healing from illnesses back in medieval Italy. Currently this icon is inCathedral of St. Tryphon. From the observation deck near the church there is a stunning panorama of Kotor.

Fortress of St. John

To get to Fortress of St. John, you have to overcome a difficult and sometimes dangerous path of 1500 steps, so you will need a lot of strength and endurance. TOThe Repost of St. John is the highest point of the city; it includes more than 20 forts, towers and bastions.

Montenegro flag on the mountain

The construction of the fortress is associated with the Roman emperor Justinian, who in the 6th century erected a defensive fort on the top of the mountain. The fort's fortifications were rebuilt several times until the 19th century. This fortress withstood two Turkish sieges - 1538-1571 and 1657-1699. Before the First World War, the fortress was used to defend Kotor.

Market

Behind the walls of the Old Town of Kotor,to the right of the Sea Gate,locatedCentral Market . Onmarketcan buyfruits, vegetableAnd, oliveki, oliveeoilO, various typescheesesAndhomemade sausages,Montenegrinprosciutto andwine.

Port of Kotor

Opposite the market isPort of Kotor . Until the 14th century, Kotor was a large port city, where goods were unloaded en route to the mainland. Currently, at the height of the tourist season, huge cruise ships arrive in the port of Kotor.

The Montenegrin city of Kotor is often called the decoration of the Adriatic coast, an open-air museum. This is an unusual place where once you visit, you want to return again and again. Kotor is located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor, surrounded by mountains, sea and river for many centuries.

The city is considered one of the most ancient in Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. Its settlement began long before our era, as evidenced by finds and sites in caves around Kotor that belonged to primitive people. Most of the artifacts date back to 4-3 millennia BC.

Ancient civilization was brought here by the Romans, who were later ousted by the Greeks from the Byzantine Empire. In the Middle Ages, Kotor was at different historical periods part of the Serbian Kingdom, the Venetian Republic. In the 19th century it was conquered by the powerful army of Napoleon, and then became part of Austria and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and in 1918 it was annexed to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (then Yugoslavia). The events of World War II left traces of destruction on the buildings and monuments of Kotor, which was annexed to Montenegro in 1945.

There was a period of complete independence in the history of the city, when it was ruled by nobles from local patricians. In 1371, when the last Serbian king from the Nemanjic dynasty died, Kotor received actual sovereignty. Formally, the republic at that moment recognized itself as a vassal of either Croatia and Hungary, or Bosnia, but foreign sovereigns had no right to govern which. In 1420, due to the threat of an attack by the Ottoman Turks, the authorities of the republic decided to recognize the vassalage of Venice. This saved Kotor from destruction.

An interesting and dynamic history has left impressive marks on Boka Kotorska and this unique city. Here every corner is a work of art, a historical, cultural and architectural monument. Because of this, the old part of Kotor was taken under UNESCO protection, like many other sites.

Old town and citadel

The center of Kotor is considered to be the Old part of the city, which is surrounded on all sides by powerful walls, gates and is protected from the sea by an impregnable fortress. On the territory of the Old Town there is a huge number of cathedrals, churches, ancient houses, squares, fountains, narrow streets, steps and alleys. The main architectural style of residential, administrative, and outbuildings, buildings, and monuments was formed during the 15th-18th centuries. At this time, Kotor was part of the Venetian Republic.

The fortifications are 4.5 km long, the height of the walls reaches 20 meters, and the thickness varies within 16 meters. All walls have passages, which allows tourists to climb to the very top and look at ancient Kotor from above. To move from one section of the fortifications to another, secret passages and stairs were created.

Together with the citadel, the walls created a powerful defensive structure, which for centuries was inaccessible to enemies, both from land and sea.

The construction of the fortress began by the Romans, completely destroying the fortifications created by the ancient Illyrians. Construction was continued by the Byzantines, Arabs, Bulgarians, Venetians and Serbs.

From the middle of the 17th century. half of the fort became inaccessible to the public; the reason for this has not been precisely established by historians. The reconstruction of the citadel was continued by the French and Russians; all major work was completed in the 19th century. In this form, the fort and the Old part of the city have been perfectly preserved to this day.

It was possible to get to the Kotor Citadel through three gates - Sea, River, Gurdich. The sea gate was considered the main entrance to the sea, and was erected in the 16th century. On the northern side, where the Shkurda River flows, the River Gate was erected. Next to them was a beautiful arched bridge. In the south, near the banks of the Gurdich River, the Venetians and Montenegrins built the Gurdich Gate.

For many centuries the city has served as an important port center on the Adriatic, where yachts, pleasure liners and ships stop. Swimming in the port area is not recommended as there are no beaches. But they are in some other parts of Kotor. Most beaches are city beaches. For swimming, it is better to choose surroundings where the water is cleaner and striking with its unique turquoise color.

Located on the territory of the Old Town, it is the main temple of Kotor, a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture on the Adriatic. The consecration of the cathedral took place in 1166. The Church of St. Tryphon has repeatedly become the target of cannonballs. He suffered from earthquakes several times. In particular, in 1667, the entire Balkans were shaken by very powerful tremors, which caused widespread destruction throughout the region.

The two Romanesque bell towers of the cathedral were also destroyed, so now in their place there are buildings built in the Baroque style. Already in 1979, the cathedral again succumbed to destruction due to an earthquake. The temple houses the relics of Saint Tryphon, who is recognized as a miracle worker and is the patron saint of the city. There are also other religious values ​​of Christianity, including the crucifix (two meters high) of the Serbian ruler Helen.

Located in the vicinity of Kotor, on Mount St. John (Ivan). The Illyrians were the first to begin building the castel, which over time was turned into an impregnable fort. The fortress consists of several rows of fortifications, represented by ramparts, bastions, towers, numerous fortifications and structures. The structure fits very organically into the mountain landscape, which makes the fortress even more impregnable and picturesque.

They lead to the fortress 1460 steps, which must be overcome to end up in the courtyard of the fort. There are three roads here - green (easy), medium difficulty, marked with yellow paint, and difficult, which is considered dangerous. The steps in many places are already quite dilapidated, some are completely destroyed, sections of the path pass over a cliff.

A picturesque town located in the vicinity of Kotor. The Illyrians began to build it in the 3rd century. BC, who turned Risan into the capital of their state. The settlement is surrounded by coniferous forests, cypress trees, mountains, and the sea. The air here is so clean that it seems transparent.

Risan lives in a small square only 2 thousand people, and there is also a huge number of attractions. For example, the Marble Castle, built in the 20th century, but has antique architecture. The castle is located near the sea, the interior is decorated with blue marble, openwork grilles, and decorative masonry. The complex of Roman courtyards built on the coast of Boko-Kotor is also worth a visit. Within Risan there are the ruins of a villa, where Roman mosaics, paintings, and layout are perfectly preserved.

It was once a river canyon, then flooded with water. By origin, it is a fjord located in the southwestern region of Montenegro. It is considered the calling card of Montenegro and the Adriatic. The shores of the bay, nature, ancient sights, and settlements create a beautiful natural and architectural ensemble. The views that open onto the bay and its surroundings seem unreal, characterized by picturesqueness, beauty, and the ideal surface of the water.

The shores of the bay are dotted with ancient Catholic and Orthodox churches, churches, monasteries, and miniature houses.

Located in the rocky part of the Alpine mountain range, covering an area of 6,220 acres. The entire territory of the park is divided into 9 separate zones for representatives of flora and fauna. The park passes through continental and Mediterranean climate zones. Lovcen has unique flora and fauna, as well as many mountain lakes, the most famous of which is Ivanovo Koryto. Nearby there are historical attractions - the village of Njegushi, the Mausoleum of the same name, temples.

It was built in Lovcen for the Montenegrin bishop Peter the Second Njegos. He adored this place, considered it holy, so he ordered his remains to be buried here. The construction of the Mausoleum began in 1855; 461 steps lead to it. Opened to the public in 1974.

On Mount Lovcen at an altitude of 940 meters above sea level The Montenegrin village of Njegushi is located. It is surrounded on three sides by mountains, coniferous forests, cypresses, and evergreen trees. The village has been known since the mid-15th century, being the birthplace of Bishop Peter the Second Njegus and King Nikola the First Petrovich (the last ruler of independent Montenegro). The houses where these famous people were born have been turned into museums.

It is part of the Orthodox diocese. Built at the very beginning of the 20th century. on the site of a building that burned down. The main architectural style is Byzantine, the temple has one nave, two bell towers on the central facade. Part of the city wall adjoins the Church of St. Nicholas. Inside the church, which is the only Orthodox church in Kotor, frescoes and a beautiful iconostasis were made in 1908. Many things kept in the church are real relics and works of art.

Location: Trg Sv. Nikole, Stari grad bb.

Located on the central square of Kotor, which is called Grec. Built at the end of the 12th century, the church until the mid-17th century. was Catholic. Then, due to the Turkish attack, a large number of Orthodox believers began to accumulate in the city, who built another altar in the Church of Luke. For almost 150 years, the church held rites and services for Orthodox and Catholics. The situation began to change in the 19th century, when the temple was completely transferred to the Orthodox diocese of Kotor.

The building contains the relics of several saints, unique frescoes, an iconostasis, and religious utensils. The entire floor of the temple is covered with gravestones. The Church of St. Luke is open only during the spring-summer season and on national holidays. During the 1979 earthquake, the building was not damaged at all, unlike other structures.

Location: Put do Svetog Ivana.

It was erected in the Old part of the city, on Muchnaya Square. This is the ancestral castle of the Pima family, which during the 14th-18th centuries. was part of the administration of Kotor. Also, representatives of the dynasty were famous poets, lawyers, and teachers working in European universities. The palace itself appeared in Kotor after the earthquake of 1667, so the towers, ornaments, family coat of arms, terraces, balconies, shutters were preserved in perfect condition.

The Pima Palace was built mainly in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Art historians have established that the rear facade of the building has masonry and elements of Gothic and Romanesque styles. In the 20th century two additional floors appeared, where until 1979 the naval school was located. Then the superstructure was demolished, giving the palace its original appearance.

Exhibits and exhibits of the museum, reflecting the history of the Bay of Kotor, the Black and Adriatic Seas, are located in the premises of the Grgurinsky Palace. Of interest are the engravings telling about the siege of Kotor by Algerian troops and the Turkish flotilla. The pride of the museum is considered to be models of ships, sailing ships, boats, logbooks, compasses, flags, portraits of captains, furniture.

This is one of the ancestral palazzos that belonged to the noble Beskucha family. The palace is located on a very narrow street that connects Muchnaya and Armory squares. The building appeared here in the mid-1770s, and was made of hewn stone blocks.

The palace has four floors in total, on one of which there is a portal with the family coat of arms of another family - the Bisanti. This symbolism was made in the 15th century, i.e. three centuries before the appearance of the Beskucha Palace. Most likely, the portal was moved from the buildings remaining from the Bysanti clan.

Location: old town.

It was built on the Square of Arms or Armory, in the northeast of the city. From all sides this structure was protected by powerful fortifications - the ancient Citadel, the Campana tower and the shipyard. Weapons were stored in the Arsenal, and soldiers practiced military techniques in the square in front of it. In our time, the functions of the Arsenal have not changed - it houses the military galley “Saint Tryphon”. Two floors, a basement, and side walls are open to visitors.

Located in the area of ​​Muchna Square, in the center of historical Kotor. Many tourists do not pay much attention to the palace, since the four-story building does not arouse much interest. Several architectural styles can be traced in its design - from Gothic to Baroque and even Renaissance.

The palace belonged to the Bucha clan, which was known far beyond the borders of Serbia and Montenegro. Representatives of the families were personal advisers to European and Balkan rulers. The building of the Bucha estate is one of the oldest in the city, since it was built on the border of the 13th-14th centuries. The palace was completed, restored and restored over the course of centuries. One of the walls is decorated with the stone coat of arms of the Bucha family.

Location: Stari grad br. - 323.

Thus, there are places to go and things to see in Kotor. In addition to historical and architectural values, it is definitely worth getting to know the local cuisine better and visiting the festivals that are held in the city from the beginning of May to the end of October.

The clock tower, located in the very center of medieval Kotor, was built in 1602. At that time, the governor of Kotor was Antonio Grimaldi, which is why his initials are on the coat of arms above the tower. And next to the tower there was a pillory, near which criminals and convicts were once placed to have their sentence read out to them; now there is a stone pyramid here.

The clock tower has three floors. The tower survived both wars and natural disasters - earthquakes. And all this time the tower stood guard as a guard to protect the city and, to the surprise of tourists.

The tower was created in the Baroque style, but with Gothic elements. When it was erected, they used the then very famous building masonry - huge stone blocks with concave edges.

Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas was built in 1890 on the site where the Orthodox monastery of St. Archangel was located in the 15th century, a little west of the Old Town of Ulcinj.

The main attraction of the Church of St. Nicholas is the unique iconostasis and wall paintings (dated 1908), made by Russian icon painters. The largest shrine was the copy of the icon of the Most Holy Mother of God “Three Hands,” which Montenegrins and their ancestors, the Serbs, especially reverence.

Construction of the Church of St. Nicholas began in 1902, and the church was completed in 1909, as evidenced by the inscription on the facade.

The church is a single-nave structure, the main facade is framed by two towers. The architecture of the temple gives the impression that the inside of the building is much larger than the outside.

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Church of St. Anne

Kotor is a city in Montenegro that has preserved a large number of historical medieval buildings and monuments. Almost everything is under UNESCO protection. There are a lot of churches in the city. There are Catholic and Orthodox churches. Among the oldest churches is the Church of St. Anne. It is located in the very center of the city, where seven churches are located at a very short distance from each other.

When the church was built, it bore the name of St. Martin. Later it began to be called by the name of St. Anne. The church is old, small, made of stone and brick. It is for believers of the Catholic faith.

The Maritime Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Montenegro. It is located in the historical center of Kotor and is dedicated to the rich history of the Bay of Kotor and the entire Montenegrin coast.

The Maritime Museum in Kotor was opened to the public in 1900. The museum building is a medieval baroque palace, and two real cannons from the 18th century are installed in front of the entrance - in memory of the protection of the port from pirates. The unique museum collection is rich in unusual exhibits. The museum displays ancient ship logs, detailed models of sailing ships, the remains of sunken ships raised from the bottom of the sea, various marine equipment, navigation instruments, ship furniture and household items, flags and portraits of famous captains and pirates. The museum's archives contain ancient documents, maritime charters, ancient maps and much more.

A separate exhibition is dedicated to the two world wars - there are many photographs and other interesting exhibits on display. In general, the Maritime Museum in Kotor will be of interest to anyone with even a little interest in ships and the development of shipping in the Mediterranean. The rich collection of the museum attracts many tourists to Kotor.

St. George's Island

On the island there is a Benedictine monastery named after St. George, built in the 12th century AD.

This island is also called the island of the dead, as there is an old cemetery where noble people were buried for centuries, until the end of the 17th century.

The cemetery is located in the shade of Majestic cypress trees, which create shade over the island and over the cemetery itself.

The area of ​​the island is so small that when you look from the shore, it seems as if the monastery is floating with the flow. This gives it additional charm.

Both the island and the cemetery are shrouded in many legends, each of which can have completely different details depending on who is telling it. According to one legend, quite a large number of treasures are concentrated there - paintings and jewelry that can arouse the interest of the general public.

Even during its heyday, the island was empty most of the year. And only in July-August was it filled with Catholic clergy from all over Europe.

Today the island is closed to tourists, but the reasons for this are unknown. This place is worth a visit in any case, if only to admire the beauty around the island.

Palace of the Pima family

The Pima Family Palace is a well-preserved palace that is a true masterpiece of ancient architecture. This palace was built during the Renaissance, in the 17th century, and combines elements of the Renaissance and Baroque styles.

The palace belonged to the noble Pima family, the first mention of which dates back to the 14th century.

The building's façade and lower terrace were built in the Renaissance style, while the windows and upper balcony were built in the Baroque style. The main concept of the building is a dominant porch with terraces at the front and a system of stairs and galleries at the back.

The upper balcony is the most valuable detail of the exterior, it is supported on 12 stone supports made of Korcula stone, decorated with carved ornaments, and the cast iron railings are the skillful work of Kotor blacksmiths.

Above the main entrance to the building is the family's coat of arms, held on either side by two soaring angels.

Beskucha Palace

Beskuča Palace is located between the Square of Arms and the Liberation Square in the city of Kotor. It was built in 1776.

The palace houses one of the most famous bas-reliefs of the Old City. True, this is the family coat of arms of the Bisanti family, which has nothing to do with the Beskucha family, which previously owned the palace. How it was installed here is still unknown.

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City walls

The entire old, historical part of the city of Kotor is still surrounded by powerful fortress walls that protected the city from attacks. They have been well preserved to this day and attract tens of thousands of tourists every year.

The walls are made of large processed stones. There are several fortress towers located in the corners of the city, and gates lead into the city. The total length of the fortress walls around Kotor is about 4 kilometers, the height of the walls reaches 20 meters. All buildings located inside the fortress walls are part of the world historical heritage and are protected by UNESCO. You can climb the ancient walls, walk along them and explore ancient Kotor from above.

The most popular attractions in Kotor with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Kotor on our website.

More sights of Kotor

Kotor is famous not only for its centuries-old, dramatic history, but also for its attractive recreational conditions. This is one of the most famous and beautiful towns in the Bay of Kotor.

View of the Chapel of Our Lady of Health, the city of Kotor and the Bay of Kotor from the fortress, photo Ggia

Kotor is a city on the southeastern shore of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), the most beautiful and deepest fjord-like bay of natural origin on the Adriatic Sea. It is called the “Montenegrin Venice”: examples of Venetian architecture predominate in the development of the old quarters. Modern Kotor is a lively tourist center, where folk carnivals and theater festivals take place, many hotels have been built, there is a market and a seaport.

In the depths of centuries

The history of Kotor began with an ancient settlement of the Illyrians. The city remained under the influence of the Romans until the collapse of the Empire, then belonged to the Byzantines, the Serbian state; was under the rule of the Hungarian and Bosnian kings. In 1420, Kotor voluntarily joined the Venetian Republic. Until 1797 it was under the rule of the Venetians: this time is considered a period of prosperity. Since 1797, power has changed, the city was controlled by the Austrians, Napoleonic troops, the Russian army, and again the French. In 1814–1918 - long period of Austrian rule. The city became part of Yugoslavia in 1929, and during World War II it belonged to fascist Italy. After the collapse of the country, it became part of independent Montenegro.

Attractions

Cathedral of Saint Tryphon

Church of St. Luke

Church of St. Nicholas

Church of St. Anne

St. Paul's Church

St Joseph's Church

Chapel of Our Lady of Health

In Kotor, the authentic historical center has been completely preserved (since 1979 it has been included in the UNESCO register as a heritage of medieval culture). The ancient squares keep their historical names: Flour, Milk, Wooden. The historical center of Kotor amazes tourists with the abundance of cats: self-confident animals roam literally everywhere in the old quarters.

City fortifications

Sea Gate of Kotor (1555), photo by Alfredo Avalos

The surviving fortress wall surrounds the entire city, and then goes steeply up the mountain to a height of 280 m and ends with the powerful defensive fortress of St. John. The fortress offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the bay. The length of the city fortifications along the perimeter is approximately 5 km, the height reaches 20 m, the width is 6-12 m. There are three gates in the fortress wall: the main Sea Gate near the port; Gurdich swing gate in the southern part; Northern River Gate near the Shkudra River.

Clock Tower, photo Gerard Kroon

The three-story clock tower (Gradski toranj), built in 1602 at the Sea Gate on Armory Square as an observation post, is where the city clock keeps time today. In the old days, there was a pillory under the tower, where the guilty were punished by the authorities.

Also on the square are: the Arsenal, the watchtower, and the Napoleonic Theater.

The palaces in Old Kotor are of great historical and cultural value.

The Baroque-style Princely Palace (Kneževa palata) on Armory Square was built in the 18th century. In the Middle Ages, the building housed the residence of the Venetian governor - “providura”.

The Gregurina Palace (Palata Grgurina) was also built in the 18th century; now the Montenegrin Maritime Museum is open there. In the square next to the museum there is the Karampana Fountain, which used to serve as a source of drinking water in the Old Town.

In the old center, several more aristocratic palaces from the Venetian era have been preserved.

The Bizanti Palace (Palata Bizanti) was built in the 14th century in the Romanesque style, but after the earthquakes it was rebuilt. Now a mixture of styles can be seen in the architectural appearance of the palace.

Beskuća Palace was built in 1776. Of particular value is the portal, created in Gothic style around the 15th century, with the family coat of arms of the Bisanti family. It was moved from another building.

Buča Palace, photo Igor Avramović

Buća Palace (Palata Buća) is an unremarkable four-story building on Muchnaya Square. It was built at the beginning of the 14th century in the Gothic style. After reconstruction it acquired features characteristic of the Renaissance and Baroque.

Pima Palace, photo Alfredo Avalos

Pima Palace (Palata Pima) is a beautiful, representative building on Muchnaya Square, built in the 17th century. The facade of the palace is decorated with a terrace and a balcony with patterned railings, the shutters on the windows are painted in bright green tones.

The Drago Palace (Palata Drago) near the Cathedral of St. Tryphon was built in the 12th century, but was later renovated many times. Currently, the palace houses the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments.

Interesting from a historical point of view are the Lombardich, Vrakien and Grubonia palaces.

Cathedral of St. Tryphon, photo Epiq

The main attraction of Old Kotor and the main church of the city is the Cathedral of St. Tryphon (Katedrala Svetog Tripuna) (1166), the patron saint of the city. On the facade of the temple there is a Gothic rose window; the height of the bell towers is about 35 m. Inside there are brick columns and ribbed vaults, frescoes by Greek artists, forged chandeliers, a large organ. The chapel contains the relics of the Holy Martyr Tryphon. There is a small religious museum on the second floor. From the church museum there is access to the neighboring street, to the observation deck.

Church of St. Luke

Catholic and Orthodox Church of St. Luke, photo Al Silonov

The Church of St. Luke (Crkva Svetog Luke) was built in 1195 in the Roman-Byzantine style. There are two altars installed inside: Orthodox and Catholic. At first it was a Catholic church. During the war with the Turks, Orthodox Christians moved to the city en masse, and they did not have their own church (the current Church of St. Nicholas was built only about 100 years ago), so a second altar was built. Later the church became completely Orthodox.

Church of St. Nicholas

Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, photo Pudelek

St. Nicholas Church (Crkva Svetog Nikole) was built at the beginning of the 20th century. This is a small Orthodox church with daily services. The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Three Hands” is kept here.

Church of the Virgin Mary on the River, photo Michael Kalafatas

The Romanesque Church of the Virgin Mary on the River (Crkva Svete Marije od rijeke) was built near the Northern River Gate near the Shkudra River in 1221. The relics of Blessed Hosanna of Kotor, the patron saint of the city, rest there. An interesting architectural element of the building is the cast doors with chased scenes of city life.

Church of St. Clare, photo Michael-Kalafatas

The Franciscan Church of St. Clare (XVIII century) is famous for its luxurious interiors, the Baroque altar by Francesco Cabianza, and the collection of ancient manuscripts. The temple collection contains the first South Slavic books published in the 15th century.

The Gothic Church of St. Michael was built in the XIV-XV centuries. Some of the original frescoes have been preserved. The building houses the city Lapidarium. Among its exhibits is a collection of stones with traces of ancient writing, tombstones, and memorial plaques.

Also in Kotor you can visit the churches of St. Anne (Crkva Svete Ane) (XII century), St. Paul (Crkva Svetog Pavla) (XIII century), St. Joseph (Crkva Svetog Josipa) (XVII century) and the Chapel of the Virgin Health (Cskva Gospa od Zdravlja ), located in the mountains above the city.

Beaches of Kotor and Kotor Bay

Sightseeing in Kotor can be combined with relaxing on the local beaches. There are no well-maintained beaches in Kotor, with the exception of a few city beaches; and the sea here is not as clean as in other areas. Most of the city's coastline is occupied by the harbor.

City beach Dobrota

The closest beach can be found in the resort of Dobrota - 2 km north of Kotor.

Morinj plaža is a sand and pebble beach located on a cape near the highway in the village of the same name. Its length is about 1 km and width 15 m. Nearby there are authentic restaurants in ancient mills.

Bajova Kula Beach

Bajova kula is a pebble beach 10 km from Kotor, surrounded by laurel groves, located on the road to Perast. Its length is 60 m. The water here is clean.

Orahovac Beach

Orahovac plaža is a pebble beach on the coast of the village of Donji Orahovac, framed by Mediterranean vegetation, located on the way to Perast. Its length is 1 km.

Marco Beach

Marko is a pebble beach on Cape Marko, about 1 km long, which is located between Donji Stoliv and Prcanj, the distance from Kotor is about 7 km.