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City of Kotor- a famous resort town on the coast, located near Mount Lovcen, on the shores of the Bay of Kotor. It is one of the best preserved Mediterranean medieval cities, and in 1979 Kotor city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History of the city of Kotor.

History of human settlement at the site modern city dates back to very ancient times - confirmation of this is the many tools, ceramics, rock paintings of the Neolithic period discovered in the caves of the surrounding mountains.

IN ancient times this area was inhabited by the Illyrians from the 3rd century BC. These lands were ruled by the Roman Empire, and after its fall in 476, Byzantium. It was then that mentions of Kotor were first found, but as the city of Askrivium, then as Decatera (from “katareo” - “rich in hot springs”), and over time it began to be called Kotor, since it was the shopping center of Boka Kotorska.

In 535, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian finally expelled the Goths from this area and built a fortress around which the so-called “lower” city was built on the surrounding hills in the 10th century. The rule of Byzantium in Kotor was interrupted more than once - in 1002 the city was captured by the First Bulgarian Kingdom, and in 1003 power passed to Serbia. True, Byzantium quickly regained its dominance and retained it until the middle of the 11th century, when Kotor city was captured by one of the representatives of the Slavic family of Voislavlevich, who then ruled the State of Zeta. Later the city on long years was an important Dalmatian city and was known under the Italian name "Cattaro".

At the end of the 12th century, the city surrendered without a fight to the great Serbian župan Stjepan Nemanja (founder of the Serbian royal Nemanjić dynasty) and, as a vassal state, became part of Serbia, although retaining its own institutions of power and the right to declare war or make peace. It is within Serbia Kotor city experienced a significant boom in economy and culture, as it was a developed trade and craft center with access to the sea. Even the invasion of Europe by the Tatar-Mongols in the middle of the 13th century, as a result of which Kotor was burned, did not lead to its disappearance - Kotor was quickly rebuilt and remained an important maritime trading center. Serbia's rule over Kotor ended only in 1371 with the suppression of the Nemanjić dynasty, and over the next half century the city was actually an independent urban patrician republic.

In 1420, facing the threat of a Turkish invasion, the Great City Council decided to voluntarily come under the control and protection of the Venetian Republic, and Kotor city became part of it until 1797. All this time Ottoman Empire never gave up trying to conquer Kotor, but the city never came under Turkish rule.

After Venice at the Treaty of Campo-Formia Kotor city went to the Austrian Habsburg monarchy, but already in 1805, according to the Treaty of Presburg, it was transferred to the Kingdom of Italy, which at that time was a vassal of the French Empire of Napoleon. The transfer of Kotor to the control of France, which was then at war with England, potentially meant the transition of Kotor ships to the rank of war booty of the British fleet and the complete collapse of maritime trade. In order to somehow avoid such a prospect, the residents of Boka Kotorska turned to Petr Njegos, who then ruled Montenegro. He, in turn, asked for support from the commander of the Mediterranean expedition of the Russian fleet, Admiral Senyavin, and as a result of their joint military operation in March 1806, Kotor was handed over to representatives of the Russian admiral.

Peter Njegos proposed to Alexander I to create a Slavic-Serbian state with its capital in Dubrovnik, which would include Kotor, but after the defeat at Friedland (June 1807), Russia was forced to conclude the Treaty of Tilsit with Napoleon, according to which “the province and the city of Boko-di -Cattaro" came under French rule again, which lasted until 1813.

Metropolitan Peter Njegos in September 1813 again captured the entire Boka Kotorska, and in 1814 again turned to the Russian emperor with a request to patronize Montenegro, but by the decision of the Vienna Congress Boka Kotorska and Kotor city passed to Austria, and Alexander asked the Montenegrins to leave it. In May 1814, the Montenegrins left these territories and again lost access to the sea.

Before 1918 Kotor city, being part of the Dalmatian Kingdom, was part of Austria-Hungary, but after its defeat in the First World War, it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which in 1929 was renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. It was from this year that the name Kotor acquired official status (previously, the Italian version appeared in the documents - Cattaro).

In 1941, after the surrender of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Kotor city was occupied by Italian and German fascists and, by order of Mussolini, together with other cities of coastal Montenegro, became part of fascist Italy.

City of Kotor was liberated from fascist rule in November 1944 and at the end of the war, as part of Montenegro, became part of the now communist Yugoslavia. Civil war of the 90s. The 20th century did not touch the city, and today it is part of independent Montenegro.

Such a rich history of events and changes of owners has left its mark on Kotor - the city has many ancient buildings that create a unique atmosphere. It is worth paying attention to the Cathedral of St. Tryphon with the remains of frescoes of the 14th century, with a rich sacristy with products of Venetian and Kotor jewelers, the churches of St. Luke, St. Anne, St. Mary, the Duke's Palace, the Napoleon Theater, which are only a small part of the cultural treasures Kotor city.

Outside the city walls there is a large market where you can find a wide variety of products from local craftsmen and delicacies for every taste. In the city itself, you can wander through the most beautiful ancient streets, drink a cup of coffee in any of the many restaurants, take pictures against the backdrop of architectural masterpieces and buy a wide variety of souvenirs.

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. The best way to see the sights of Kotor is from its historical center, the so-called Old Town, surrounded by ancient walls, cliffs and ditches.

Montenegro - the pearl of the Mediterranean

Montenegro is a small but very beautiful state in the southern part. This country is rightly called the pearl of the Mediterranean, thanks to its exquisite natural 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 on the slopes of the magnificent Mount Durmitor.

The rich historical, architectural and cultural heritage, the 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, lined with well-preserved ancient towns. This is one of the most beautiful countries, once visited, you want to come back here again. The cities of Montenegro will not leave even the most sophisticated tourists indifferent.

Old Town: 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. There are many monuments of medieval architecture here: churches, cathedrals, palaces and museums. The beauty of this part of the city is complemented by many narrow streets, squares and markets. The old town also stands out for its large number of gates, made in original styles, palaces of rich families and a huge number of all kinds of staircases.

There are three entrances to the Old Town, but keep in mind that you can only get there on foot, as entry by car is prohibited. In the Old Town there are numerous palaces (Bizanti, Bugi, Pima), music halls, a cultural center, and galleries. This part of the city is also famous for its many boutiques and shopping centers. Since 1979, the area has been officially included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Medieval bastions

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

Construction began in the 9th century. The bastions have 3 doors through which people have entered and exited the city for many centuries. Whichever path is chosen, it will lead to the most famous building in the city - the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, built in the 12th century in honor of the city's patron saint.

Perast is one of the most beautiful and strange places in the Bay of Kotor

Perast is considered the quietest town 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 of Montenegro. There are 16 surviving palaces, which represent 12 brotherhoods (clans).

Previously, here you could see ladies, rich sailors, girls in love walking along the streets, hundreds 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 the summer, various festivals 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.

Island of Our Lady on the Reef

The Island of Our Lady 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, one French soldier, firing a cannon towards Perast, entered the house of his beloved and killed her. This story served as the motive for the creation of the artistic masterpiece “Island of the Dead” by a Swiss master named Böcklin.

If you believe the stories, the island was built artificially by one sailor from Perast (Old Kotor). Some time later, according to legend, an icon of the Holy Mother of God with Christ was found by a fisherman after a shipwreck near the island; the survivors vowed to build a church. And they kept their promise: the temple was built in 1630. To preserve the island, stones had to be brought and laid, a tradition that continues to this day. The holiday dedicated to her is called Fasinada, it is held every year on the evening of July 22nd.

Maritime Museum

When describing the sights of Kotor, one cannot fail to mention the maritime museum, which is located on the Boka Kotor Fleet Square. Maritime business in this city began to develop back in the Middle Ages; there was a real brotherhood of sailors. Memories of those long ago the past few days and years, about the successes of famous Kotor navigators, 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, geographic Maps, engravings, watercolors depicting coastal cities and other valuable exhibits. The museum contains six bronze reliefs, which reflect the most important events and personalities from Kotor's turbulent history. There is also an ethnographic collection testifying to the golden age of Kotor, which lasted throughout the 16th - 18th centuries. Near the very entrance to the medieval palace, where the maritime museum is located, two small cannons are displayed; they are a symbol of the confrontation between local sailors and pirates.

Sights of Kotor

The famous one is considered one of the most beautiful on the European continent. The town of Budva is also famous with its clean beaches, excellent cafes and a simply fabulous selection of restaurants. The fishing villages and picturesque resorts scattered along the coast have their own distinct charm of an old pirate town, where many historical monuments have been preserved, where modern marinas and the beautiful ancient architecture of the city are perfectly combined.

The 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 8th century, the Princely Palace of the 17th century, the Cathedral of St. Tryphon of the 13th century and much more.

Prices in Montenegro for public transport are quite high, so good advice For travelers who choose these places for recreation and tourism, there will be a car rental. This is suitable for those who do not like crowded tourist groups and prefer a solo and independent trip. 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, prices here are significantly lower than in other European countries.

Popular places

1) Kotor. Reviews of this charming ancient city urge you to visit it first. And this is not without meaning. Already on the approach to the main entrance, they catch your eye stone walls, surrounding the fortified city of Kotor for more than a thousand years.

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

3) Cetinje. Once upon a time it was, but now this mountain town invites you to stroll along its streets and visit its sights; it is full of museums and churches that, in fact, deserve attention.

4) Lovcen National Park and When visiting the cities of Montenegro, you cannot miss these wonderful places. The mausoleum was built on the second highest peak in Montenegro. Once you climb it, you will be rewarded with stunning views covering almost 80% of the entire country. On a clear day this is quite an impressive sight.

5) 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 full of uneven roads and numerous potholes. The monastery built in the rock, in fact, 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 luxury hotel since 2008, rooms cost from $1000 per night, and visiting the paid beach will cost $65! Fortunately, to the delight of tourists, there is also a fairly good free beach next to the hotel.

Have a nice and happy trip!

Most convenient way to get to Kotor - by plane: located 5 km from the city.
The road route to Kotor runs through the Vrmac tunnel, connecting Kotor with the Adriatic Highway, as well as with the rest of the coast and hinterland.
Rail transport in Kotor is represented by an ancient line connecting Kotor and Cetinje, which runs in a picturesque mountainous area.

Buses

Buses are the most popular look transport in Kotor and its surroundings. Thus, the city is connected by regular bus lines to all coastal resorts of Montenegro, to the capital Podgorica, to Croatian Zagreb and Serbian.

Located 5 minutes walk from the Old Town on the highway to Budva. The frequency of bus departures and fares are seasonal. The main bus operator based in Kotor is . On the company's website you can also see the current bus schedule.

Taxi

Taxi in Kotor is a convenient form of transport. The driver will charge about 2 euros for boarding, plus 1 euro for each kilometer. The cost of a transfer to the airport or a trip to another city should be discussed separately with the taxi company.

• (+382 19719)
• Djir Taxi (+382 19737)

Ferry

Not far from Kotor, there is a Kamenari-Lepetane ferry crossing across the Verige Strait, which allows you to avoid going around Boka Kotorska on the way to Croatia. The ferry will also be convenient for those traveling by car from Budva to Herceg Novi or back - it will help save time and distance. The ferry crosses the Verige Strait (300 m) in 10 minutes, ferries depart approximately every 15 minutes. Tickets are sold at the ticket office at the pier.

The history of the emergence and development of Kotor. Development and historical events in Kotor.

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Kotor, a city on the territory of independent Montenegro, is known not only for its attractiveness to tourists, but also for its rich history. And this story began many centuries ago. Research in the vicinity of the city amazed archaeologists: rock paintings, various instruments and pottery found in the caves indicate that people lived in these places already in Neolithic times.

Since 168 BC, Rome and its successor Byzantium ruled in this area. The first mention of the city dates back to this time. The Byzantine government in the city was interrupted several times: either through the fault of Bulgaria, or through the fault of Serbia...

But historians believe that Byzantium ruled Kotor until 1185, and then, until 1371, its Serbian period continued.

Kotor became part of Serbia as a vassal state, but retained its basic freedoms. During this period, the bishop's residence was located here, and Dominican and Franciscan monasteries were founded (13th century). Kotor was an important center of the Serbian state and experienced significant cultural and economic growth during this period.

Welcome to Kotor

From 1371 to 1420, the period of independence of the city of Kotor lasted, during which it was, in essence, an independent urban patrician republic. Then came the Venetian period, which lasted until 1797: the city came under the control of the Venetian Republic on its own initiative, fearing an Ottoman invasion. The period before 1814 is called the period of the Napoleonic Wars; it passed under the sign of fear of French occupation and, nevertheless, French control. The Austrian period lasted until 1914, until the outbreak of the First World War. The fiercest battles This war left an indelible mark on the history of the city, and after the defeat of Austria-Hungary in the First World War, the city became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes - since 1929, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

In 1941, Kotor was occupied by Nazi and Italian troops, and the lands around it were annexed. After the end of World War II, Kotor became part of the now communist Yugoslavia. Perhaps only Civil War, which broke out in Yugoslavia in the 90s, spared this city: military operations were not carried out there. Now Kotor has become part of the state of Montenegro.

In general, it’s hard to be a tasty morsel for everyone.

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• Where to stay: at one of the resorts of the Hercegnovskaya Riviera. For example, in ancient and rich in attractions Kotor, tiny Perast, picturesque Risan or modern and cheerful Tivat. Families with children and those who want to improve their health will enjoy the “ botanical garden Montenegro" - in the resort of Herceg Novi and its appendage Igalo, which is famous throughout Europe for its institute of resort and sanatorium treatment.
• Where to go: V national park Lovcen, to climb the dizzying mountain to the tomb of Petar Njegos and honor the memory of the country's last spiritual ruler; to an abundance of fish of all kinds

Surely many have heard about the beauty of the Montenegrin Bay of Kotor? The unique natural landscapes of this region of Montenegro are complemented by beautiful ancient towns that preserve the history of the country. Today I want to talk about one of the most famous towns - ancient Kotor.

Where is Kotor, why go there, what to see

Kotor is located in a secluded part of the Bay of Kotor at the foot of Mount Lovcen. The history of Kotor begins from Roman times. Over many millennia, the city passed from hand to hand to many countries: Byzantines, Serbs, Venetians, Croats and many others. The only ones who failed to conquer Kotor were the omnipresent Turks. If you remember, for Montenegro, wars with the Turks are a sore point; even to this day, many Montenegrins cannot forgive them for their attacks and conquests. Just imagine how proud the patriots of Montenegro are of Kotor, its people and history!

Kotor on the map of Montenegro.

View Kotor, Montenegro on a larger map

Very important! Before traveling to Kotor, you need to wear very comfortable shoes, it is advisable that the soles do not slip.

Kotor is located on a rather narrow piece of land between the waters of the Adriatic Sea and a high mountain range. The height of the highest point, called Mount Shitrovnik, is 1749 meters. In addition to natural barriers, Old city surrounded by a serious fortress wall and moat. The central gate makes an indelible impression; it seemed to me that they were stern and full of character.

Sea Gate of Kotor (1555)

Kotor, or rather its inhabitants, thanks to the city’s favorable location, have always been actively involved in navigation, trade, and in general, have not lived in poverty. Trade developed especially actively during the ownership of the towns of the Bay of Kotor by the Venetians, under the flag of St. Mark. By the way, the main appearance The city that we now see was formed precisely thanks to the influence of Venice.

But, as you know, in the 18th century Napoleon conquered Venice, and the Montenegrin towns (Kotor, Perast, Rovinj, etc.) came under Austrian rule. After World War I, the Bay of Kotor came under the influence of the kingdoms (Serbs, Croats, Slovenes), which in the future would make up Yugoslavia. The Italians once again managed to snatch territory from them, but after World War II, Kotor and its neighbors finally secured their place in Montenegro (Yugoslavia, the war... I think everyone learned history at school).

Time passed, power changed, but all this had a beneficial effect on the city in terms of mixing styles and creating a unique look for the city. Here you will find traces of different eras: Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque. Kotor was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List for a reason, look how beautiful it is.

In 1979, in Montenegro there was strong earthquake, because of which many buildings in Kotor (and in other cities) were destroyed. But the country-loving Montenegrins carefully rebuilt the city from the same stones and parts of houses. But this does not spoil the city at all.

City tour of Kotor

It is difficult to say what the main attractions of Kotor are. After all, the entire old city with its powerful walls, massive gates, narrow streets and palaces is under the protection of UNESCO.

The map of the old city is very confusing. By the way, to the left of the main gate of the old city there is a tourist center (an ordinary kiosk), where you can get a map of the city in Russian. Well, or in English, if the cards run out in Russian.

The length of the fortress walls of Kotor is 4.5 km. Thickness from 2 to 16 meters. And the height sometimes reaches 20 meters.

This is the view of the walls of the Old City that opens to newly arrived tourists.

Fortress walls of the old town of Kotor

And here is a view of the mountains from the river gate.

Gate Gurdich, Kotor

The main attraction of the city is the Cathedral of St. Tryphon. This magnificent structure was built in 1166, on the site of a church from 809 dedicated to the same saint. The cathedral is a real pearl of architecture; I recommend that you go inside and examine the unique furniture and works of fine art.

Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (1166)

On the side of the Cathedral you can see these amazing carved doors.

Carved doors of the Cathedral of St. Tryphon

In Kotor, it is very important to pay attention to details - after all, on every motorway, every palace or cathedral there are numerous bas-reliefs. For example, in the niche of the Sea Gate there is such a bas-relief.

Bas-relief in the niche of the Sea Gate of Kotor

On many buildings and walls of Kotor you can find images of lions - from the time of the Venetians.

Image of a lion on the Fortress Wall

The clock tower, built in 1602 as an observation post.

Clock tower at the Armory Square

Palazzo Pima, built in Baroque style.

Pima Palace, Kotor

There are more than 10 cathedrals in the small square of Kotor. In the photo - St. Luke's Cathedral.

St. Luke's Cathedral, 1195

On the streets of the old city.

Narrow streets of the old town of Kotor

But this is not a column, this is a fountain!

Fountain in Kotor

City fortifications

For the bravest and most active in Kotor there is a real test - climbing hundreds of steps (or rather 1500 steps) up the mountain to the Castel San Giovanni fortress. Assess your strength - if you have a weak heart, you should not climb to the top. But even climbing to the middle will leave indelible impressions of Kotor in your soul.

Fortress - at the very top of the mountain

The path is difficult, especially under the scorching sun, but from a height of 260 meters it opens up a textbook view of the Bay of Kotor. Entrance - 3 euros.

View of Kotor from the beginning of the Stairs

The stairs are quite steep, but the views from them are amazing.

Old Kotor road

Old Kotor road

The entire path of the old road is dotted with attractions - various fortification towers, chapels and churches. It was under this Church of Our Lady of Health that I surrendered.

Church of Our Lady of Health, Kotor

I didn’t reach the very top - I didn’t have enough time and energy. After all, we were allotted only 2 hours to Kotor. And one climb up the stairs can take about an hour!

By the way, when I came down the stairs... I got lost! Even with a map it was difficult to leave the old city.

How to get to Kotor

You can get to Kotor in several ways: with a tour, by car, or by public transport.

An excursion to the Bay of Kotor is one of the most popular in Montenegro; as a rule, a visit to Kotor is included in the excursion. If you are vacationing in Budva or its neighboring towns, then feel free to buy an excursion and hit the road (review of the excursion to the Bay of Kotor from Budva).

For those who relax in the bay itself, getting to Kotor will not be difficult. There is a bus from Herceg Novi to Kotor (ticket price is about 4 euros), as well as numerous boats.

On public transport You can get to Kotor from Budva, Cetinje, Tivat. Just come to the bus station, look at the schedule and plan your trip.

Well, for those who are going to rent a car in Montenegro, I think it won’t be difficult to get to Kotor. Map, navigator and go.

Kotor is an absolute must-see object in Montenegro. The city is original, with history and unique flavor.

What I would do next time: it’s good to spend the whole day in Kotor. It’s best to come here early in the morning on your own, since you won’t be able to do practically anything in the two hours allotted for the excursion. Moreover, I recommend first climbing the stairs to the Fortress (only for those who are healthy enough), and then exploring the old city. And don’t forget to bring your swimsuits, because Kotor also has a beach.