Summary
Getting There: You can take a bus or a taxi from Herceg Novi to Kotor. The journey takes around 45 minutes by car and up to an hour by bus.
Description: Kotor is a historic town located on the Bay of Kotor, surrounded by steep mountains and stunning scenery. The town is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the imposing walls that encircle the Old Town.
Things to Do: There are plenty of things to do in Kotor, including exploring the narrow, winding streets of the Old Town, visiting the impressive Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, and climbing the stairs to the top of the city walls for stunning views over the bay.
Where to Eat: Kotor has a wide range of restaurants and cafes offering local and international cuisine. Some popular options include Konoba Trpeza, Galion, and Caffe Pizzeria Pronto.
History?
Kotor is a coastal city located in the Bay of Kotor, in Montenegro. The city has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient times.
The area around Kotor has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of human settlements dating back to the Bronze Age. The city itself was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century AD and was called Acruvium. It later became an important center of trade and commerce, particularly during the Middle Ages, when it was ruled by the Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Serbia, and the Republic of Venice.
During the 14th century, Kotor became an independent city-state and enjoyed a period of great prosperity, thanks to its strategic location and thriving trade. The city’s wealth attracted the attention of powerful neighbors, including the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice, both of whom tried to conquer Kotor several times.
In the 15th century, Kotor became part of the Venetian Republic and remained under Venetian rule for over four centuries. During this time, the city flourished and became one of the most important trading centers in the Adriatic.
In the early 19th century, Kotor was occupied by French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte. The city was later annexed by the Austrian Empire, which ruled the region until the end of World War I.
After the war, Kotor became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and later the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Kotor became part of the newly independent state of Montenegro.
Today, Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful architecture, stunning scenery, and rich history. The city’s historic landmarks, including its ancient walls, churches, and palaces, are a testament to its long and fascinating history.
Five Fun Facts:
- Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its well-preserved medieval architecture.
- The city walls that surround the Old Town were built in the 9th century and stretch for over 4.5 kilometers.
- Kotor was once an important center for maritime trade, and the town’s maritime museum is well worth a visit.
- Kotor is home to several festivals throughout the year, including the KotorArt Don Branko’s Music Days festival in July and the Bokeljska noc festival in August.
- The nearby village of Perast is home to two small islands, one of which is home to a stunning church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rocks.
Sailor t-shirts
There is a popular belief that the traditional sailor t-shirts with white and navy blue stripes, known as Breton shirts, originated from Kotor.
The story goes that in the early 19th century, the Republic of Venice controlled the town of Kotor, which was an important port on the Adriatic Sea. The Venetian navy required all sailors to wear a uniform that included a shirt with navy blue and white stripes. The design was practical and helped sailors to be easily visible in the water if they fell overboard.
It’s believed that this design was later adopted by sailors from Brittany, a region in northwest France, who also used it for their uniforms. From there, the design became popular among sailors throughout Europe and eventually around the world.
While the exact origin of the Breton shirt is not entirely clear, there is no doubt that it has become an iconic piece of maritime fashion. And the story of its origins in Kotor is a fascinating one that is still widely told and celebrated today.
Three Good Links:
Visit-Montenegro.com: https://www.visit-montenegro.com/main-cities/kotor/
Lonely Planet: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/montenegro/kotor
KotorTravel.com: https://www.kotortravel.com/
