Kotor, (Italian: Cattaro) is a coastal town in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. In its two and a half thousand years of history, under different masters, and keeping its own autonomy, Kotor has been an important political and cultural centre in the southern part of the Adriatic Sea, particularly in the Middle Ages, as witnessed by its rich cultural heritage. The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period.
It is located on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. In recent years, Kotor has seen an increase in tourists, many of them coming by cruise ship. Visitors are attracted by the natural environment of the Gulf of Kotor and by the old town of Kotor. Kotor is part of the World Heritage Site dubbed the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. The fortified city of Kotor was also included in UNESCOs World Heritage Site list as part of Venetian Works of Defence between 15th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – western Stato da Mar in 2017. Kotor has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic.
It is home to numerous sights, such as the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in the old town (built in 1166), and the ancient walls (they were erected between the 9th and the 18th century) which stretch for 4.5 km directly above the city and are almost 20m high in places and 2 to 15m thick. Located along one of World’s most beautiful bays, Kotor is a city of traders and famous sailors, with many stories to tell. Through the entire city the buildings are criss-crossed with narrow streets and squares. One of these squares contains the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Sveti Tripun), a monument of Roman culture and one of the most recognisable symbols of the city.
The Church of Saint Luke (Sveti Luka) from the 13th century, Church of Saint Ana (Sveta Ana) from the 12th century, Church of Saint Mary (Sveta Marija) from the 13th century, Church of the Healing Mother of God (Gospe od Zdravlja) from the 15th century, the Prince’s Palace from the 17th century and the Napoleon’s Theatre from the 19th century are all treasures that are part of the rich heritage of Kotor. Carnivals and festivals are organized each year to give additional charm to this most beautiful city of the Montenegrin littoral.