KOTOR, MONTENEGRO – THE OLD TOWN IN KOTOR

In Kotor, you can see traces of the influence of many powers. This is one of the most popular cities for travelers. The old town of Kotor in Montenegro has preserved its historical buildings. Walking along the narrow streets and viewing the architecture of previous centuries, to the tourist it seems to get into the past.

The old city is included in the UNESCO List. This is an exclusively pedestrian zone where buses do not run. If tourists are looking for buses, hotels and beaches in Kotor, they need to go to the modern part of the city. Looking at the buildings, you can see the influence of Venice, Turkey, Byzantium, Serbia and even Ancient Rome on the architecture. The city has never separated itself from the rest of the world.

In the Old city, you can also see the ancient fortress wall. In the old days, life was turbulent, so they built a wall for defense. All the buildings inside are arranged in a certain order. This location should make it easier to protect the city. There is a guess that even narrow streets contribute to the defense — it would be extremely difficult for the enemy to move forward through such streets.

The sights of Kotor in Montenegro are not limited to architecture. However, the buildings are the most valuable part of the attractions. Kotor is a fortress that was built to protect against attacks.

Among all the buildings of the city it is worth highlighting some:

– Church of St. Luke of the XII century with an extension-the Church of Spiridon. Inside are the relics of St. Luke. The Church is Catholic and Orthodox, previously there were two altars. Then left only Orthodox, in the Greek style. In the Church, you can see funeral slabs on the floor. Thousands of people are buried here.

– Church of St. Nicholas of the XX century. Put on the site of a burned-down Benedictine Church. Today it is a repository of old icons. The Church is Orthodox, but its architecture is more like a Catholic one.

-Cathedral of St. Tryphon of the XII century. The Saint’s relics are kept here. In the XVII century, the building was seriously damaged by an earthquake, it was rebuilt. Therefore, the main Catholic Cathedral of the city received a new look.

-Church Of St. Mary’s River. It was built on the site of a sixth-century Basilica. The Church was built in the XIII century. Here are the relics of Hosanna. The building was regularly damaged due to earthquakes.

-Church Of Our Lady Of Health. It was built in the XV century in honor of the fact that the virgin saved the city from the plague.

In addition to temples and cathedrals, you can also see other buildings: 17 palaces (chambers) of notable residents of Kotor, gates and entrances, Armory square, Church and fortress of St. John. Tourists who have already been here, come back again to appreciate the beauty of the city once again.

There is mount of Lovcen — the largest of the arrays. To see Kotor from a height, it is enough to climb to the mountains. It is better to travel here with an experienced guide who will show you the most interesting places and guide you along hidden paths. The guide will also tell you about the fascinating and stormy history of the now quiet Kotor.

Arriving on vacation in Kotor, many tourists look at the map with the question of what to see in this city of Montenegro. Of course, its ancient part – the Old city. And unlike other ancient cities of the country, Kotor is alive, because people still live here.

Kotor is a mandatory city in the excursion program of any traveler in Montenegro. One of the oldest in the country, but has preserved an active life on every street. Tightly pressed by the Gulf of the Adriatic sea to the monumental mountains, Kotor is a traditional example of the heritage of the Venetians who owned the city in Montenegro for 400 years. The perfect architectural image from a painting, historical monuments and ancient atmosphere on every meter attract thousands of travelers to Kotor.

Among all the sights of the city of Kotor, which can be seen in the photo of Montenegro, the fortress walls are the main object. Thanks to them and the bravery of local soldiers, all the buildings of the Old city were partially preserved. The fortress walls, 4.5 kilometers long and 20 meters high, can be overcome through the Sea and Southern gates.

This square is the largest and most famous in the city. In the XVI century, a Watchtower was built here, near which to this day there is a table of shame, used in the past to punish criminals. It is also home to the very first theater that opened in Montenegro in the XVIII century and the house of the guard.

The Famous fortress of Saint John in Montenegro, located in Kotor, was built in the VI century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. The structure was intended to protect the Eastern side of the sea from enemy attacks. To climb to the 280-meter height for a view of the entire city, you need to overcome 1,400 steps.

Built in the XVI century it can be found on the Armory square. It is a four-tiered structure, three of which are visible on the surface and one hidden underground. Two of its sides are decorated with massive dials, and the other two are adjacent to buildings. After the earthquake of 1667, the tower gradually tilted towards the sea. Despite the slope of 20 centimeters, the structure stands securely due to a well-fortified foundation.

Among all the other churches in Kotor, in Montenegro, this temple is the largest and the youngest. The Church was built in the XIX century and is located on Hertz square, in the Old town. The interior decoration is simpler than in the old Kotor temples, but there are also ancient relics. The main value is the icon of the most Holy Theotokos “Troeruchitsa”.

Was built in the XII century in the Romanesque style typical for many churches in Kotor with Gothic elements. Today’s view is the result of several reconstructions, including the ones after the devastating earthquakes of 1667 and 1979. Despite all the alterations, the Church of St. Anne returned to its original appearance, and today, it is a Catholic parish, where services are constantly held.

The exposition of the Maritime Museum is located within the walls of the Grgurinsky Palace, built in the XVIII century. Among the exhibits: ship logs, several models of boats, engravings about conquests at sea, a document on Maritime reporting and the main value — the Maritime Charter of the brotherhood of sailors of the Boko Kotor Bay, founded in the IX century. The rules of solidarity and mutual assistance specified in the Charter are still observed in the Bay.

Palaces in Kotor occupy a special place among other attractions. The palaces of Pima and Beskuca belonged to two noble families, the Princely one served as the Venetian residence of the kings, and then as an army barracks. The bizanti Palace has released from the walls of its family nest at various times famous poets, teachers, navigators and priests. It is worth visiting each of the palaces.

The history of Kotor in Montenegro is rich in conquests and changes of numerous powers. The old name Ascruvium was assigned by the Romans in 168 BC. In the V century, the city was a well-fortified fortress, and was renamed by the Byzantines to Decaderon. According to history, the city was in the power of the Arab pirates, the Bulgarian Kingdom and Serbia, and then again fell under the protection of Byzantium, until the XII century.

Being later under the leadership of Serbia as a vassal state, Kotor was considered on the old political map of Montenegro as a seaport. At that time, the residence of a Catholic Bishop, Franciscan and Dominican Catholic monasteries were erected. But already in the XII century, the city was completely destroyed by the grandson of Genghis Khan.

Then, Kotor for 50 years passed to the rule of Hungary and Bosnia. The city was also claimed by the Ottoman state — then the state of Byzantine Albania took It under its protection for almost 400 years. However, there were also recorded clashes with Turkish troops for two centuries. During this period, the inhabitants were affected by five plagues and several strong earthquakes. Then Austria-Hungary ruled, followed by France.

In the XVIII century, the city came under the rule of Austria-Hungary and only in 1918 it became part of the Kingdom of Croats, Serbs and Slovenes. In 1941, the city was occupied by German and Italian fascist troops until 1944. In 1979, it experienced a major earthquake that injured more than 100 people. It destroyed half of the Old city of Kotor in Montenegro, which was later completely restored.

Hotels in Kotor can be found both in the Old and in the new city, and at average prices relative to the whole of Montenegro. Luxury five-star accommodation awaits tourists on the first sea line in the new part of the city, 2-3 kilometers from the Old Kotor. Hotels 3 and 4 in the Oldest city of Kotor are suitable for those who want to immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of Montenegro.

However, the Central beach is a 10-minute walk away, you can only Park your car behind the fortress walls, and at night you may be disturbed by noise from night bars. Another popular option for profitable living in Kotor, as in all of Montenegro, is to rent apartments, houses and other private housing.

Based on the numerous reviews of tourists from Montenegro that the water in Kotor is not the cleanest, it is worth visiting the beaches in neighboring Dobrota. The place is located a 15-minute walk from the Old town and offers holidaymakers a shallow coastal line 4 kilometers long with the purest sea water.

Shopping in Kotor can be called measured. Here every second shop is a souvenir shop where you can buy silver jewelry, ceramics and shells, dolls in national costumes, fabrics with embroidered Kotor ornaments. Most of these items can be purchased at markets and in other Montenegrin cities, however, souvenirs on the cat theme in such quantities as here, can not be found anywhere else — boxes, earrings, mugs, watches, pillows, candlesticks. To buy really original ” cat “things in Montenegro, made by hand, you can visit the store in Old Kotor, called “Cats of Kotor Souvenirs and Handicraft”. From the gastronomy, judging by the reviews of tourists from Kotor, it is definitely worth taking the best in Montenegro prosciutto and cheese brought from the village of Negushi, “Krstac” and “Vranac” — local white and red wine.

Tours to Kotor are a popular holiday destination in Montenegro, both as part of a tour of the cities of Montenegro,and as a separate package. Choose the adventures in Montenegro that you like, together with the tour operator “Open Balkans”.

1.See the Old city of Kotor in Montenegro in two images: day and evening.

2.Climb to the fortress in Kotor called San Giovanni and cover the whole of Kotor from a bird’s eye view.

3.Find three of the city gates in the Old Kotor, Montenegro, Maritime, River and Gundicha.

4.Walk in Kotor, Montenegro, on the ancient marble floors in the Church of St. Luke and admire the ancient altar in the Church of St. Clare.

5.Buy a souvenir from a local store and take a piece of Montenegro home.

6.Taste the freshest oysters of the Adriatic at the city oyster farm.

Everyone will find accommodation in the city to their taste and budget. Five-star hotels in Kotor, Montenegro, are located on the first line from the beaches, 3 kilometers from the Old town. Good three-star hotels are located in the Oldest city, but 10-15 minutes walk from the beach. It is popular to rent apartments in Kotor, in Montenegro, the prices of which are much lower than hotel prices.

Go on the most picturesque tour in Kotor, in Montenegro, together with the tour operator “Open Balkans”. You will open the doors to the world of antiquity, with ancient fortresses, palaces, churches and houses that have been preserved since the middle Ages. Book an unforgettable vacation in Kotor, the most beautiful town in Montenegro, right now.