Kotor Old Town
Stari grad Kotor
A triangular Venetian-style old town wedged between a bay and steep cliffs, with a maze of flagstone lanes, squares, and churches, and cats everywhere. It is a World Heritage core area.
Kotor's old town is triangular in shape, bordered by the bay on one side, the Škurda River on another, and the steep St. John Mountain behind it. Though small, it has a maze of flagstone lanes and more than a dozen small squares. The layout is said to have been deliberately designed to confuse invaders. The main entrance is the Sea Gate (1555) on the western waterfront. Through the gate lies the Arms Square, the largest square in the old town, with a 17th-century clock tower and a medieval pillory in front of it. Highlights in the old town include St. Tryphon's Cathedral; the 12th-century Church of St. Luke, which was once shared by Catholics and Orthodox, and the neighboring Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas; the Maritime Museum of Montenegro, housed in a Baroque palace and telling the seafaring history of the Bay of Kotor; and the Cat Museum, which holds cat-themed postcards and artworks, with proceeds supporting the rescue of stray cats. Stray cats are abundant in the old town. Cared for by residents, they have become a symbol of the city, and souvenir shops sell cat-themed goods everywhere. Entry to the old town is free, and outside the walls there are markets and a boat landing along the waterfront. Note: Some lanes are dark at night, summer days are very hot, and the flagstones are slippery, so wear non-slip shoes.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Maritime Museum of Montenegro
- Cats Museum Kotor
- Church of St. Luke, Kotor
- Cathedral of Saint Tryphon
- Church of St. Nicholas, Kotor
- Church of Our Lady of Remedy
- St. John's Fortress & City Walls
- Kotor Serpentine Viewpoint