Sights of Kotor (Montenegro). City-fortress, sea, rest

One of the ancient cities of Montenegro - Kotor is a real fairy-tale city, where medieval spiers tower above the dreamy orange roofs of houses against the background of a wonderful mountain landscape. To view Kotor's sights is best from its historic 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. It 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.

A rich historical, architectural and cultural heritage, a huge variety of landscapes and attractions makes this country a very attractive place for travel and unforgettable rest. 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, I want to return here again. The cities of Montenegro will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated tourists.

Old city: an invaluable 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 honored. Here there are many monuments of medieval architecture: churches, cathedrals, palaces and museums. The beauty of this part of the city is complemented by a multitude of 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, but you should keep in mind that you can only get there on foot, as cars are not allowed to enter. In the Old Town there are numerous palaces (Byzanti, Bugi, Pima), music halls, Culture Center, galleries. This part of the city is also famous for its many boutiques and shopping centers. Since 1979, this area is officially included in the list of World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.

Medieval bastions

The city of Kotor today is one of the best preserved medieval settlements on the Mediterranean coast. The largest and quite impressive are the bastions surrounding the city. They are about 5 km in length and 10 m in width. Some of them have been preserved completely and can rightfully be called unique examples of serf architecture in Europe.

The beginning of construction was laid back in the IX century. The bastions have 3 doors, through which for many centuries people have entered and exited the city. Whichever way is chosen, it will lead to the most famous building in the city - St. Trifon Cathedral, 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 most quiet 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 was once a city of sailors and was known even outside of Montenegro. There are 16 surviving palaces that represent 12 fraternities (clans).

Earlier here you could see strolling through the streets of ladies, rich sailors, lovers of girls, hundreds of sailing boats huddled in the bays . Currently, Perast is a semi-abandoned place with a population of about 360 citizens. However, this does not mean that it is completely boring here, in summer various festivals are held, among them the traditional Facinada - the ritual procession of barges. Because of the lack of a beach area, the coast of Perast is not suitable for beach tourism.

The Island of the Virgin 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 dead captains. According to legend, a French soldier, shooting a cannon in the direction of Perast, got into his beloved's house and killed her. This story served as the motive for the creation of the masterpiece "The Island of the Dead" by a Swiss master named Beklin.

If you believe the stories, the island was erected artificially by a seaman from Perast (Stary Kotor). Some time later, according to legend, a fisherman after the shipwreck near the island found an icon of the Holy Virgin with Christ, the survivors gave a vow to build a church. And they kept their promise: the temple was built in 1630. To save the island, it was necessary to bring and lay stones, this tradition is alive to this day. Dedicated to her holiday was called Fasinade, it is held every year on the evening of July 22nd.

The Maritime Museum

Describing the sights of Kotor, we can not fail to mention the naval museum, which is located on the square of the Boka-Kotor fleet. Maritime business in this city began to develop in the Middle Ages, there was a real brotherhood of sailors. Memories of those days and years past, about the successes of famous seafarers, artists, shipbuilders, artisans, government officials and diplomats, mediators between the West and the East are now kept in the naval museum.

Here you can see portraits of famous captains, models of old galleys and sailing boats, navigational instruments, geographic maps, engravings, watercolors depicting coastal cities and other valuable exhibits. In the museum there are six bronze reliefs, which reflect the most important events and personalities from the stormy history of Kotor. There is also an ethnographic collection that attests to the golden age of Kotor, which lasted throughout the 16th and 18th centuries. Near the entrance to the medieval palace, where the Maritime Museum is located, two small guns are exhibited, they are a symbol of confrontation between local sailors and pirates.

Attractions in Kotor

The famous Kotor Bay is considered one of the most beautiful on the European continent. Budva is also famous for its clean beaches, excellent cafes and fabulous restaurants. Fishing villages and picturesque resorts, scattered along the coast, have their own charm of the old pirate town, where many historical monuments are preserved, where modern marinas and the beautiful old architecture of the city are perfectly combined.

Sights of Kotor 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 excellent shape. These include the magnificent ancient Clock Tower of the VIII century, the Princely Palace of the XVII century, the Cathedral of Saint Trifon of the XIII century and much more.

Tips for tourists

Prices in Montenegro for public transport here are quite high, so a good advice for travelers who have chosen these places for recreation and tourism will be renting a car. This is suitable for those who do not like crowded tourist groups and prefer a single and independent trip from the schedule. When you come to Montenegro, it is important not to lose sight of those places that are most popular among seasoned tourists. Despite the fact that this state is part of the EU, the prices here are much lower than in other European countries.

Popular places

1) Kotor. Reviews of this charming old city are encouraged to visit it in the first place. And this is not without meaning. Already on the way to the main entrance, the stone walls that surround the fortified city of Kotor are more than a thousand years old.

2) Perast. With a population of less than 500 people, this city is closed to cars. It's a completely different world: a leisurely, sleepy and beautiful. This calming place with two tiny islands of St. George and the Virgin can be called a true Balkan paradise.

3) Cetinje. Once it was the capital of Montenegro, and now this mountain town invites you to stroll through its streets and visit its sights, it is full of museums and churches, which, in fact, deserve attention.

4) Lovcen National Park and Mausoleum of Negosh. Visiting the cities of Montenegro, you can not miss these wonderful places. The mausoleum was built on the second highest peak of Montenegro. Having risen on it, you will be rewarded with a stunning view, covering almost 80% of the whole country. On a clear day, this spectacle is quite impressive.

5) Monastery Ostrog. This place is in central Montenegro, about 3 hours drive from Kotor. To get here, it is better to rent a car, although the road is full of irregularities and numerous bumps. The monastery built in the rock, in fact, looks amazing. The trip in the tourist group will cost about 30 euros, such 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 the joy of tourists next to the hotel there is also a pretty good free beach.

Have a pleasant and happy trip!