One of the ancient cities of Montenegro - Kotor is a real fairy tale city, where medieval spiers rise above the dreamy orange roofs of houses against the backdrop of a wonderful mountain landscape. To see the sights of Kotor is best from the historical center of the so-called Old Town, surrounded by ancient walls, cliffs and moats.
Montenegro - the pearl of the Mediterranean
Montenegro is a small but very beautiful state in the southern part of the Adriatic Sea. This country is rightly called the pearl of the Mediterranean, thanks to its exquisite natural beauty, glorious beaches, crystal lakes and magnificent mountains. This is a land of contrasts where you can relax and swim in the blue sea or go skiing from the slopes of the magnificent Durmitor Mountain.
The rich historical, architectural and cultural heritage, a huge variety of landscapes and attractions make this country a very attractive place for travel and an unforgettable vacation. The coast of Montenegro offers a lot of interesting routes. 72 km of sandy beaches along which are well-preserved ancient cities. This is one of the most beautiful countries, once visited which I want to return here again. Cities of Montenegro will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated tourists.
Old Town: A Priceless Cultural Heritage
The Old Town is the most famous part of Kotor, where you can fully enjoy the historical and cultural heritage of Montenegro, where traditions and customs are revered. Here are many monuments of medieval architecture: churches, cathedrals, palaces and museums. The beauty of this part of the city is complemented by many narrow streets, squares and markets. The old city is also distinguished by a large number of gates made in original styles, palaces of wealthy families and a huge number of all kinds of stairs.
There are three entrances to the Old Town, however, it should be borne in mind that you can only get there on foot, as entry by car is prohibited. In the Old Town there are numerous palaces (Byzanti, Bugi, Pima), music halls, the Culture Center, galleries. This part of the city is also famous for its many boutiques and shopping centers. Since 1979, this area has been officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Medieval bastions
The city of Kotor today is one of the best-preserved medieval settlements on the Mediterranean coast. The largest and most impressive are the bastions surrounding the city. They are about 5 km long and 10 m wide. Some of them have been fully preserved and can rightfully be called unique examples of fortress architecture in Europe.
The construction began in the 9th century. The bastions have 3 doors through which for many centuries people entered and exited the city. Whatever path is chosen, it will lead to the most famous building in the city - the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, built in the XII century in honor of the patron saint of the city.
Perast - one of the most beautiful and strange places in the bay of Kotor
Perast is considered the quietest city in Kotor. Its narrow streets and numerous, but mostly abandoned, palaces testify to the former wealth of its inhabitants, who once led a luxurious life here. Perast used to be a city of sailors and was known even outside Montenegro. There are 16 preserved palaces that represent 12 fraternities (clans).
Previously, here you could see ladies walking in the streets, wealthy sailors, girls in love, hundreds of sailing boats huddled in the bays . Perast is currently a semi-abandoned place with a population of about 360 citizens. However, this does not mean that it is completely boring here, in the summer various holidays are held, among them the traditional Fasinada - a ritual procession of barges. Due to the lack of a beach area, the coast of Perast is not suitable for beach tourism.
Virgin Island on the reef
The Island of the Virgin is considered one of the two beautiful islands in the Bay of Kotor. It is also called the island of the dead captains. According to legend, one French soldier, shooting from a cannon in the direction of Perast, got into the house of his beloved and killed her. This story served as the motive for the creation of the masterpiece “Island of the Dead” by a Swiss master named Becklin.
If you believe the stories, the island was built artificially by one sailor from Perast (Old Kotor). Some time later, according to legend, one fisherman after a shipwreck near the island found an icon of the Holy Virgin with Christ, the survivors vowed to build a church. And they kept their promise: the temple was erected in 1630. To save the island, it was necessary to bring and stack stones; this tradition is still alive. The holiday dedicated to her was called Fasinada, it is held every year in the evening of July 22.
Maritime Museum
Describing the sights of Kotor, it is impossible not to mention the Maritime Museum, which is located on the area of the Boka Kotor Fleet. Marine business in this city began to develop in the Middle Ages, there was a real brotherhood of sailors. Memories of those bygone days and years, of the successes of the famous Kotor sailors, artists, shipbuilders, artisans, government officials and diplomats, mediators between the West and the East are today stored in the Maritime Museum.
Here you can see portraits of famous captains, models of old galleys and sailing boats, navigation instruments, maps, prints, watercolors depicting coastal cities and other valuable exhibits. The museum has six bronze reliefs that reflect the most important events and personalities from the turbulent history of Kotor. There is also an ethnographic collection testifying to the golden age of Kotor, which lasted throughout the XVI - XVIII centuries. Near the entrance to the medieval palace, where the maritime museum is located, two small cannons are exhibited, they are a symbol of the confrontation between local sailors and pirates.
Sights of Kotor
The famous Bay of Kotor is considered one of the most beautiful on the European continent. Budva is also famous for its clean beaches, excellent cafes and just a fabulous selection of restaurants. Fishing villages and picturesque resorts scattered along the coast have their own certain charm of the old pirate town, where many historical monuments have survived, where modern marinas and beautiful old architecture of the city are perfectly combined.
Kotor's attractions include countless cultural monuments. The old city was built in the shape of a triangle, surrounded by thick walls. Many historically significant buildings are still in great shape. These include the magnificent old clock tower of the 8th century, the Princely Palace of the 17th century, the Cathedral of St. Tryphon of the 13th century and much more.
Travel Tips
The prices for public transport in Montenegro are quite high, so car rental is a good advice for travelers who have chosen these places for recreation and tourism. This is suitable for those who do not like crowded tourist groups and prefer a single and schedule-independent trip. When you come to Montenegro, it is important not to lose sight of the places that are most popular among experienced tourists. Despite the fact that this state is part of the EU, prices here are much lower than in other European countries.
Popular places
1) Which. Reviews of this charming ancient city call to visit it first. And this is not without meaning. Already on the way to the main entrance, stone walls surrounding the fortified city of Kotor are striking for more than a thousand years.
2) Perast. With a population of less than 500 people, this city is closed for cars. This is a completely different world: unhurried, sleepy and beautiful. This peaceful place with two tiny islands of St. George and the Virgin can be called a real Balkan paradise.
3) Cetinje. Once it was the capital of Montenegro, but now this mountain town invites you to walk along its streets and visit its attractions, it is full of museums and churches, which, in fact, deserve attention.
4) Lovcen National Park and the Negosh Mausoleum. Visiting the cities of Montenegro, you can not miss these wonderful places. The mausoleum was built on the second highest peak of Montenegro. Climbing it, you will be rewarded with a stunning view, covering almost 80% of the whole country. On a clear day, this sight is quite impressive.
5) Ostrog Monastery. This place is located in central Montenegro, about 3 hours drive from Kotor. To get here, it is better to rent a car, although the road is replete with bumps and numerous bumps. The cliff-built monastery, in fact, looks amazing. A trip as part of a tourist group will cost about 30 euros, these are the approximate prices in Montenegro for such excursions.
6) Sveti Stefan. The old town, built on an island 30 meters from the coast, has been famous for its elite hotel since 2008, rooms cost from $ 1,000 per night, and a visit to a paid beach will cost $ 65! Fortunately for tourists near the hotel there is also a pretty good free beach.
Have a nice and happy trip!