Kotor in Montenegro – it is almost like sailing into the Fjords! One not to be missed.

Kotor in Montenegro – it is almost like sailing into the Fjords!  One not to be missed.

I have been very fortunate over the years to have visited some beautiful coastlines and one of my favourites is that of the Adriatic and more specifically, Montenegro,

Montenegro is a Balkan country with rugged mountains, medieval villages and a narrow strip of beaches along its Adriatic coastline. The Bay of Kotor, resembling a fjord, is dotted with coastal churches and fortified towns such as Kotor and Herceg Novi. Durmitor National Park, home to bears and wolves, encompasses limestone peaks, glacial lakes and 1,300m-deep Tara River Canyon.

Kotor is one of my top three places in Europe to sail into and here’s why.

Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, in a bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovćen. Characterized by winding streets and squares, its medieval old town has several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral. It’s also home to the Maritime Museum, which explores local seafaring history. Sveti Đorđe, one of 2 tiny islands off the ancient town of Perast, features a centuries-old church.

The Old Town of Kotor lay in the shadows of the fearsome St. John’s Hill and the walls protecting this town are a fortification masterpiece at up to 15 meters wide and 20 meters high each. These walls are skillfully crafted into the natural steep slopes of the hill and the view of this town on approach is one of the amazing sights, not only of the Mediterranean, but of the world.

A person’s first look at Kotor, whether from the sea or from the road, always leaves a strong impression.  Kotor is unique for several reasons. It is located on the only natural fjord of its kind in the world and in a bay that has made the list of Most Beautiful Bays in the World. But visiting Kotor is about more than beautiful views—it’s also about experiencing the cultural heritage of Boka Kotorska Bay.

There are three entrances to the Old Town, including the Sea Gate of 1555 which serves as the main door. Huddled underneath the rocks of Mt Lovćen, bordered from the north by a short but violent river Škurda and to the west by an underwater spring Gurdić, Kotor (after the earthquake in 1667) has all the features of a Baroque town.

The best way to see as much of the town as possible is to start at the main gate and work clockwise. From the main Arms Square, you will go right across the Flour Square to the Cathedral, then left to the Maritime Museum, straight on to the square housing the Churches of St. Luka and St. Nikola and then left, which will lead you back to where you started from.

You can’t describe the country of Montenegro without mentioning its mystical spirit and ancient legends. For centuries, many of these myths have been passed down through the generations and some continue to tell Montenegro’s story today. These legends have not only stood the test of time, but have come to inspire writers, painters and explorers from around the globe.

One of the better known myths and a story that is still recalled today is that of Our Lady of the Rocks . Legend has it that one of the two islets found in Kotor Bay, known as Our Lady of the Rocks was in fact formed as a result of the local sailors taking an oath in the 15th century.

As the story goes, after sailors from Perast found a picture of the Virgin Mary and the Christ-child here in 1452, after every successful voyage they would lay a rock in this very spot so that a church could be built on top of these rocks. This tradition continued down the centuries and eventually this is how the islet was formed.

There is a custom called “Fasinada” which is unique to the town of Perast as  well as to the whole Mediterranean coast where the inhabitants of Perast commemorate the year 1452 when an icon of the Virgin was found.  Every year, at sunset on 22nd July, a procession of little boats, laden with rocks, row out from Perast to the picturesque island church, Our Lady of the Rocks, in the middle of beautiful Bay of Kotor. As the bells toll, the rocks are dropped into the sea. The custom has both symbolic and practical meaning. Adding rocks reinforces the island which is constantly washed and eroded by the sea.  The simplicity of the occasion, striped of all elements of folklore, evokes the memory of the centuries-long efforts that were needed to build, from a small crag (skrpjel), this little island with its lovely church.

After the boats dock on the island, the celebration continues on the island, where visitors can enjoy the sounds of the Mediterranean music and taste specialties of the local cuisine.

Kotor is a magical place and one not to be missed and once you’ve been you will want to go back again.

Call me today on 0333 300 2803 or email me [email protected] for more information on cruises to this beautiful coastline.