Kotor
Our first stop in Montenegro was the beautiful city of Kotor. Strategically placed at the back of the bay, the fortified town surrounded by limestone mountains and the cliffs of Mt. Lovćen, is also close to Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. With a fortress spanning the old town and the adjacent hill, Kotor has been an area occupied by numerous empires over the years, capitalizing on it’s location and infrastructure.
Now a UNESCO Heritage site, the town is bustling with chic restaurants, festive bars, and multiple live music venues, including a very unique jazz club.
Old Town Kotor
The old town of Kotor is thousands of years old, but the bulk of the city that stands today was built under Venetian rule from 1420-1797. The old city, with narrow stone streets and Venetian styled stone buildings, is located behind fortified walls that are in remarkably excellent condition.
Dripping with character and historical relevance, to stay the night behind the walls immediately transports you back in time. We stayed in a building that was over four hundred years old, renovated exquisitely to accent it’s period details.
There’s nothing like wandering the winding, dimly lit streets at night. Suddenly you enter a grand square with an impressive medieval tower, or Romanesque church like St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, staring down at you while Saint John’s Castle keeps watch from above.
We were in Kotor in the fall, so it would get cold at night, occasionally raining, which would add to the allure of running around wet, cobblestoned streets in the dark.
But that all changes on the other side of the wall. Make your way out of the gates of Kotor and you’re greeted by a lovely marina and bay, that regularly attracts cruise ships and some of the most expensive yachts in the world.
Kotor Fortress
Strategically located thousands of years ago, and then built up and fortified at varying times over the years, Kotor Fortress is an impressive hike and view from the top.
At the pinnacle, approximately 1300 steps up, Saint John’s Castle, which was built during the 15th century, mostly lies in ruins. It is still worth seeing though, especially for the view.
The ramparts and steps up are still in fairly good shape, and the size and scope of the fortress is impressive. Deborah and I had a great time hiking up this impressive hill, and celebrating our arrival at the top of the fortress. . Read More
Our Lady of the Rocks
Every year on the sunset of July 22nd, an event called Fašinada takes place in the Bay of Kotor. This involves local residents taking their boats and throwing rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. As the legend goes, they do this because that is how the island came about. Over centuries, local seamen, who keeping an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea, would lay a rock in the Bay upon their return from a voyage. The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks sits on top of the man made island, and is a stunning site to see from the mainland and as you approach it from the water. Unfortunately the church was not open for viewing while we were there, so we’ll have to see the inside on our next trip back to the area.
Taking A Bus In and Out Of Kotor
While the rich and famous arrive in Kotor on their mega yachts, and others drive their fancy European cars into the tourist destination, Deborah and I arrived on the bus. A FLiX Bus to be more accurate, and while it’s not the luxury of the aforementioned modes of transportation, they’re pretty nice, and incredibly affordable. It’s also great how close the bus stop is to Kotor bay, the marina, old town, taxi stands, and other restaurants and sights to see.