A country of mountains and valleys where nature expresses itself with exuberance, Montenegro is a land to be explored, a destination of choice for nature lovers and hikers. Over an area the size of a French region, there are five national parks, mountains where entire sections are undeveloped, beaches and a coastline of fascinating beauty, particularly thanks to the enchanting site of the mouths of Kotor.
An exceptional fjord
With their telluric decor of mountains split by the sea, the mouths of Kotor seem to come straight out of a Scandinavian landscape. A Nordic landscape to which the multitude of churches, chapels and palaces of Gothic and Venetian influence gives a typically Dalmatian touch. This winding Dalmatian fjord is 28 km long and is made up of several inland gulfs connected by deep passes. It is one of the best natural harbours in the region and was one of the main military bases in the former Yugoslavia. The high mountains with their steep slopes above the thin coastline protect it from the northern climate. Thus, Boka is an oasis of Mediterranean vegetation where agaves, mimosas, oleanders, kiwis, pomegranates, medicinal herbs... When its ridges are covered with snow, roses bloom on the hillside. The bay is naturally divided into four sub-regions: Herceg Novi, Risan, Kotor and Tivat. Like jewels, the small towns, treasures of history and art, are scattered along its coastline
A little history..
Because of its history, the Bay of Kotor has a different architectural heritage from the rest of the country. The first town, Risan, was founded by the Greeks in the 4th century BC. After the Romans defeated the Illyrian tribes, they settled here in the 2nd century AD, and Risan became part of the imperial province called "Dalmatia". After the division of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, the bay came under the control of the Western Empire, while the rest of the coastline of today's Montenegro became part of the Byzantine Empire. From the 15th century, the mouths of Kotor are always separated from the rest of the country, politically and culturally speaking, they will indeed remain under the influence of the Republic of Venice until the end of the 18th century, that is to say at the time of the fall of this Republic.
In addition to a way of life and mentality different from the rest of today's Montenegro, the Catholic and Latin culture left indelible imprints throughout the bay as evidenced by the architecture of the old town of Kotor, the villages of Perast and Prčanj, or the countless paintings by Italian artists adorning the churches of the bay
Tivat, a jet-set spot
Tivat is known as the newest town in the Kotor Mouths. Of modest size, the town only really acquired the face we know today at the end of the 19th century when the Austrians, then settled in the region, decided to build a military arsenal there. In the 1970s, the city underwent a new major stage in its history with the modernization of its airport. Able to accommodate larger aircraft, this "new" airport led to an explosion in the number of tourists. Then, the city returned to the forefront of the tourist scene thanks to the marina for millionaires "Porto Montenegro"; constantly enlarged, it welcomes more and more luxury yachts from all over the world
Kotor, old town and culture
Situated on the edge of the Kotor Mouths and set against a rocky peak, the old town of Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean basin. Dominated by the ruins of a fortress and entirely surrounded by walls with a total length of 4.5 km, twice as long as those of Dubrovnik, this city is distinguished by the asymmetrical structure of its streets and narrow squares combined with numerous Venetian-influenced monuments of an often unique character. Each street, each stone, each church tells a fragment of 900 years of ethnic and religious mixing. Badly damaged by the earthquake that hit the region in 1979, Kotor has since been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As there is no beach in the area (only pontoons for swimming), the city is more oriented towards culture with many festivals.
Perast, baroque and maritime
Located 12 km west of Kotor and built at the foot of the Saint-Elijah hill (873 m), in a superb natural site, the village of Perast, with barely 400 souls, was once a prosperous city. The reasons for this prosperity are explained by the strategic position of Perast, near the narrowest passage of the mouths connecting the bay of Tivat with those of Risan and Kotor, known as Verige. The view of the mountains plunging into the clear waters is truly superb. From its flamboyant maritime past and the long Venetian rule, the village has preserved noble residences of old patrician families, shipowners and merchant captains. Although dilapidated, their Renaissance facades have lost none of their elegance and the presence, just in front of the village, of two islets each crowned with a church adds to the baroque beauty of the site.
From Risan to Herceg Novi
This small town of 1,500 inhabitants is the oldest in the Bay of Kotor. First mentioned in the 4th century BC, Risan was once a thriving Illyrian city named after a tribe of Illyrians known as the Rizonti. Queen Teüta (Queen of the Illyrians, defeated by the Romans in 229 BC) took refuge here in the 3rd century BC, making Risan the capital of ancient Illyria. Legend has it that after being defeated by the Romans, the queen climbed a steep hill where she saw her harbour overrun by Roman ships. Before throwing herself into the void, she vowed that Risan would never again receive ships. In fact, Risan no longer had a fleet and the city is now known to be the only one in the bay whose inhabitants were never sailors
Finally, our journey ends in Herceg Novi, a flowery town whose windows all face the sun and the sea. If it has preserved in its walls the traces of its turbulent history, it is today a peaceful city, appreciated by artists and renowned for its particularly mild microclimate. Made up of small squares linked by a network of steep streets and staircases, the old town bears the traces of its many occupants. Turks, Spaniards, Venetians and Austrians have in turn strengthened the city's fortifications and left their mark everywhere. Often described as a "garden city", Herceg Novi also preserves within its walls an important testimony of its maritime past. Its dense Mediterranean vegetation is the result of generations of sailors bringing in cacti, magnolias, pomegranates, agaves, eucalyptus and dozens of other exotic plants. All these plants, which fill the city with their fragrance on hot summer days, contribute greatly to its charm. And leaves a delicious memory of the Kotor Mouths. An enchanting site.
Useful information
When to visit? Any time of the year is good. However, it is important to note that many hotels close in winter - so the choice is more limited during this time of the year. Also, it should be noted that the majority of establishments on the coast have different prices for different months of the year. These prices tend to rise during July and August. To enjoy both the beach and lower prices, it is therefore advisable to leave in June or September.
Getting there. Several direct flights from Paris-Orly to Tivat operated by Transavia. Flights to Podgorica are operated by Air France or Air Serbia (with stopover).
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