Destination Guide
Kotor
The town of Kotor lies at the head of southern Europe's deepest fjord Kotor Bay (Boka Kotorska). Its setting couldn't be more dramatic, the fortified Old Town nestled at the foot of a high cliff, its shores washed by clear waters of the Adriatic sea. The Old Town, a UNESCO world heritage site, is one of the most exquisitely preserved medieval centres in the Mediterranean. Its walls were constructed in the 12th century to give protection against invaders.
Throughout centuries, Kotor developed into an important commercial and artistic center, with many empires battling for control. In the tenth century, it was an autonomous city of the Byzantine Empire. From 1186 to 1371, it was a free city of medieval Serbia. It was under Venetian and Hungarian controls for brief periods, an independent republic from 1395 to 1420, and then returned to Venetian control once again. French occupation from 1807 to 1914 was followed by Austrian rule until 1918. In that year, the town finally became part of Yugoslavia. Throughout Kotor's turbulent history, a variety of buildings have been erected.
The towns’ most recognisable landmarks are the two towers of St. Tryphon Cathedral. Originally built in the 11th century, the cathedral has since been reconstructed several times, due to damage by a number of earthquakes. The entire western front was destroyed in 1667 and the replacement stone bell towers add a baroque aspect to the building. The interior is a masterpiece of Romanesque-Gothic architecture.
One of the main tourist attractions is the Maritime Museum which shows Kotor's formerly high position as a naval power and the importance of the sea to the town. The exhibits proudly tell that in the 18th century over 400 ships were sent out from the Bay of Kotor to sail the world's seas. The brightly painted bottles reading 'For My True Love' and 'Think of Me', were probably given to sailors by their sweethearts.
The Church of St Luke is a 12th-century Romanesque building with a stunning interior featuring original frescoes. One of the most interesting things about this church is that it has two altars: a Catholic one and an Orthodox one, showing the historic closeness of these two faiths and the religious tolerance of the Kotor area.
One of the great pleasures when visiting Kotor is wandering through its old town which has retained its medieval feel with a maze of tiny alleys and streets, flanked by piazzas and squares. Numerous bars and restaurants are bustling with life in the summer season.
Those who decide to climb the steps of the town walls to the Fortress of St. Ivan are rewarded by magnificent views of the Kotor, its rooftops immediately below and bay. The steps begin at the northwest corner of the city.
Strung out along the shores of Kotor Bay are settlements such as Prcanj, Dobrota, Perast, and Risan, with stone harbours, Venetian-style villas, churches, and mountains as the backdrop. A stroll from Kotor to Dobrota makes a pleasant short excursion from Kotor. Perast is the most interesting of these towns thanks to its especially rich maritime heritage.
Out in the sea of Kotor Bay are two islands, the natural island of St. George with a monastery sheltered by cypress trees and an artificial island built by locals. Both islands are frequented by ferries with tourists in summer.
Nearby is Herceg Novi, at the mouth of the Kotor Bay near the Croatian border. Leaving the Bay of Kotor behind, the seaside resort of Budva is only half an hour drive south of Kotor.
Kotor and the surrounding bay area are among the most popular for property investors, with a selection of properties for sale including stone houses, land plots, and a number of apartments in luxury developments along the bay. With most properties perched on the waterfront, the views are stunning. There has been a reported 40-50 per cent rise in prices over the past two years.
Useful links:
Tourist Board of Kotor
International summer carnival Kotor(30 July – 4 August 2007)
Featured Properties