The charming old towns of Montenegro

Montenegro, the country with rugged mountains and with amazing coastal towns has left me speechless. There are so many things about this country, starting from medieval towns, breathtaking beaches and yummy food. Here I’m listing the cities that I recommend you shouldn’t miss.  

Budva is known for its well-preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches and diverse nightlife. Budva is 2,500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast. This coastal town is full of history, lovely architecture, and narrow streets full of life and character and lovely restaurants. Budva is perfect for family trips, friend’s trips and of course honeymoon. A day is enough to explore the most famous attractions of Budva and there are so many things to do here. 

Credits: Silvia Çala
Budva street

Kotor

Located along one of world’s most beautiful bays is Kotor, a city of traders and famous sailors, with many stories to tell. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made Kotor a UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site”.

The Pima Palace, built after the 1667 earthquake, dominates the square with its beauty. The palace portal with the terrace was built in the Renaissance style while the windows and upper balcony which lies on the twelve consoles were built in the Baroque style. The balcony rail is the work of Kotor blacksmiths. Above the main portal there is the coat of arms of the family Pima supported by two angels. The palace was reconstructed after the 1979 earthquake.

Tip: Do not leave Kotor without hiking up the rugged surrounding mountains to the Castle of San Giovanni (St. John’s Fortress) for the most iconic view over the entire town.

Credits: Silvia Çala
St. John’s Fortress 

Perast

Perast is an old town on the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. It is situated a few kilometers northwest of Kotor and is noted for its proximity to the islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks. It is interesting that Perast only one main street, but this small town boasts 16 churches and 17 formerly grand palazzos.

Our Lady of Rocks and the legend

Our Lady of the Rocks is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It is an artificial island created by bulwark of rocks and by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks. The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is the largest building on the islet; it has a museum attached. There is also a small gift shop close to the church and navigation light at the western end of the islet.

The Legend says:  The islet was made over the centuries by Croat local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the seaon July 22, 1452. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays. Every year on the sunset of July 22, an event called fašinada in the local dialect, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place.

Church was upgraded in 1722 The church contains 68 paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century baroque artist from Perast. His most important painting, ten meters long, is The Death of the Virgin. There are also paintings by Italian artists, and an icon (circa 1452) of Our Lady of the Rocks, by Lovro Dobričević of Kotor. The church also houses a collection of silver votive tablets and a famous votive tapestry embroidered by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović from Perast. It took her 25 years to finish it while waiting for her darling to come from a long journey, and eventually, she became blind. She used golden and silver fibres but what makes this tapestry so famous is the fact that she also embroidered her own hair in it.

Sveti Stefan, the beautiful island, owned by the luxurious Aman resort is an eye-pleasing for everyone, but be prepared to pay a lot to stay one night in Sveti Stefan.

Panorama of Sveti Stefan seen from the national road.