Montenegro – Kotor
Our cruise ship, Oceania Vista, docked in Kotor, and we did a quick tour of the town.
Kotor is a picturesque coastal town located in Montenegro, situated in the northeastern part of the Adriatic Sea along the Bay of Kotor. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, historical significance, and well-preserved medieval architecture.
Kotor’s history dates back to ancient times, with influences from the Romans, Venetians, and Austrians. Due to its strategic location on trade routes, the town has witnessed various cultural influences.
The Old Town of Kotor is characterized by narrow, winding streets, stone buildings, and medieval squares, showcasing a mix of architectural styles from different periods.
We had a tour of the town of Perast, which was approximately 20 minutes by car from Kotor.
Perast has a rich maritime history, having been an important naval town during the Venetian Republic. The town’s architecture reflects this heritage, with many Baroque churches, palaces, and buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The island on left is the cursed island and has a monastery. The patron saint, Saint Nicholas of sailors and merchants, is associated with the monastery. The Lady of the Rocks church is on the right.
A key landmark is the “Lady of the Rocks” (or “Our Lady of the Rocks”), which is a famous religious and cultural landmark located on an artificial island in the Bay of Kotor. The island was created by local fishermen who laid stones and sank old ships in the area over centuries, creating a platform that eventually became home to a church and a small monastery. The central feature of the island is the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, built in the 17th century. The church houses an impressive collection of paintings and artifacts, including a notable altarpiece by the Baroque painter Tripo Kokolja.
A legend about the island’s creation is rooted in legend. According to local tradition, two fishermen discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary on a rock in the bay in the 15th century. They decided to build a church in her honor, and over time, they and their fellow fishermen began adding stones to the site until it became an island.
The town of Perast was a sailor’s town and was a significant port for sea captains and merchants who made their home. One thing was each seafaring family was rich based on their cargo. It was nothing to earn the equivalent of $10,000 on cargo delivery. Each family had built a large stone house and a family church. The architecture reflects its Venetian and Mediterranean influences, with an impressive collection of Baroque architecture. This includes 17 palaces and 19 churches, a remarkable count for a town of its size.
Our next stop is Dubrovnik, Croatia.