The
town of Kotor is situated at the foot of Mt. Lovcen, at the end of the Boka Kotorska Bay (Boka Kotorska map), in a fiord which is, by its beauty and
appearance, unique in the whole of the Mediterranean. It's one of the best-preserved
medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean. Kotor (Cattaro) is placed on the
UNESCO-list of world heritage. The old town is surrounded by city walls. Kotor was first
settled during theRoman
times, when it was known as Acruvium and was part of theRoman province of Dalmatia.
In the tenth century, it was an autonomous city of the Byzantine Empire. Kotor (Cattaro)
was an independent republic from 1395 to 1420. Between 1420-1797 Kotor (Cattaro) and its
surroundings belonged toVenice
and the Venetian influence is evident in the architecture of the city. By thetreaty of Campo Formio
in 1797 it passed to Austria.
After 1918, Kotor became part of Yugoslavia. It was an Italian province during
World War II. After the War it was incorporated in the Yugoslavia. In the Middle Ages,
this natural harbour on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro was an important artistic and
commercial centre with its own famous schools of masonry and iconography. A large number
of the monuments (including four Romanesque churches and the town walls) were seriously
damaged by the 1979 earthquake but the town has been restored, largely with UNESCO's help.
The fortification system of Kotor, which protects it from the sea, is actually a wall 4.5
km long, 20 m high and 15 m wide, and is preserved as one of the world’s historic
sites.
Main Gate (Porta Marina), Kotor (Cattaro). Present
main gate were build in the 16th century. Venetian and Austrian ornaments were once placed
above the gate, but they were destroyed during the world war II.
Piazza Marina o Piazza d'armi, Trg Oruzja, Kotor
(Cattaro).
The Clock tower, from the 16th century, Kotor
(Cattaro).
Beskuca-Bizanti Palace, Kotor (Cattaro). Built in
1776. The family Beskuca rose in power and wealth at the beginning of 18th century,
through naval trade. After decline of the family after fall of Venice and Napoleonic wars,
the building has been used as an Austrian court.
St. Tryphon Cathedral (S. Trifone), Kotor (Cattaro).
Trg Sv. Tripuna, Kotor (Cattaro).
The interior of St. Tryphon Cathedral, Kotor
(Cattaro). The St. Tryphon Cathedral is the largest and most impressive of the historical
buildings of Kotor (Cattaro). The original church was constructed in the eighth century by
the bishop Andreaccio Saraceni for keep the relic of St. Tryphon. A new church, built in
1166, was subsequently damaged during the 1667 earthquake and restored. It
was originally built in romanic style, but many gothic and baroque elements were added
afterwards.
The interior of St. Tryphon Cathedral, Kotor
(Cattaro).
Abse St. Tryphon Cathedral (S. Trifone), Kotor
(Cattaro).
A street, Kotor (Cattaro).
Church of St. Maria of river (Collegiata), Kotor
(Cattaro). This church is also known as church of Beata Ozana, is one of the 6 preserved
romanic churches in the old town. It was built in 1221, and has some
well-preserved frescos from the 14th century.
City walls, Kotor (Cattaro).
Porta Fiumara, Kotor (Cattaro).
City walls, Kotor (Cattaro).
Church of St. Luke (Sv. Luke), Kotor (Cattaro).
Small, but very significant this romanic church was built in 1195. Until
the mid-17th century church was catholic. It was then given to the Orthodox community. For
a long time, Orthodox and Catholic masses were occasionally both held in this church.
Square of Sv. Luke, Kotor (Cattaro).
City walls, Kotor (Cattaro). System of bastions and
walls has been developed gradually over centuries, from the original Ilyrian fortress on
the San Giovanni hill (280m) to the present form. Total length of the walls is more then
4km, thickness varies from 2 to 16m, and height reaches up to 20 m. There are more then 10
bastions along the walls.
The Market, Kotor (Cattaro).
View of Kotor (Cattaro) from Mt. Lovcen (Monte Leone
1753 mt.).
View of Kotor (Cattaro) from Mt. Lovcen (Monte
Leone).
View of Kotor (Cattaro) from Mt. Lovcen (Monte
Leone).
View of the road from Mt. Lovcen (Monte Leone). This
road was built by the Austrian engineer with the shape of a M in honour of the Princess of
Montenegro, Milena.
