The Old Town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a stunning place to visit!
🇲🇪 The Old Town of Kotor, nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Orjen and Lovćen mountains, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town was built in the 7th century and was controlled by Venice and Austria from the 15th century until the present-day Republic of Montenegro. The town has perfectly preserved its medieval layout and Venetian and Austrian influences.
⛳ When you visit the Old Town of Kotor, you'll see blue skies, verdant mountains, red-tiled roofs, white-walled buildings, and winding city walls reflected in the azure sea, like a poetic landscape painting.
✨ Highlights:
1⃣️ The Old Town Gate was built in the 16th century. Enter through the main gate, the Sea Gate, and you'll see the coat of arms above the gate. It used to be the Venetian lion, then the Habsburg double-headed eagle, and now the coat of arms of the former Yugoslavia. The stone plaque with a five-pointed star and the number 1944 commemorates the day Tito's partisans defeated the Nazis and liberated Kotor.
2️⃣ The Old City Walls stretch 4.5 km to the top of the mountain and are majestic and spectacular. Climb the walls to see the buildings on the mountain and enjoy the beautiful views of the Old Town and the stunning Adriatic Sea and Kotor Fjord.
3⃣️ The Old Church, the beautiful twin-towered Catholic Cathedral of St. Tryphon, has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history. Today, the two towers are different heights, one with a bell and the other without. The left tower is inscribed with the year 1166, when the church was built, and the right tower is inscribed with 2016, marking the church's 850th anniversary.
4⃣️ The Old Town Layout is a typical medieval town style, with buildings surrounding squares of various sizes. The buildings are mostly from the Venetian period, with some Byzantine architecture from the Roman era. It's a great place to take photos.
5⃣️ The Old Streets and Alleys are like a maze, narrow and winding, connecting the squares. Strolling through the alleys feels like traveling back to the Middle Ages. The squares are home to cafes, bars, and restaurants, making for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
6⃣️ The town is located in a bay surrounded by mountains, making it a natural harbor and a must-see for large Mediterranean luxury cruise ships. The moat, formed by a tributary of the sea, is crystal clear and reflects colorful light in the sunlight.
7⃣️ The limestone cliffs of the Orjen and Lovćen mountains form the most spectacular scenery on the Adriatic Sea, a testament to the wonders of nature.
📍 Address: Southern Montenegro, southern end of Kotor Bay, Adriatic Sea
⏰ Opening hours: All day
💰 Admission: Free
🚗 Transportation: Take a bus from Podgorica to Kotor, ticket price €6.5, with a €1 service fee per ticket