Sailing into Kotor Bay, Montenegro, on day 200 of our epic world tour was a feast for the eyes! This massive gulf, the biggest in the Adriatic, felt like cruising through a stunning fjord. We couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the mountains and villages lining the route. It was worth getting up early for.
Kotor itself is another UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s not surprising because its massive walls, dating back to Roman times, withstood even the powerful 1667 earthquake that ravaged Dubrovnik. We explored this medieval town, including the imposing San Giovanni fortress, built over centuries ago to guard the city.
Another highlight was the Kampana Tower, a 16th-century clock tower stood the test of time in Kotor over the years. Our extremely chatty guide then took us to the charming village of Njeguši, birthplace of King Nikola. We observed the King’s residence before continuing to Cetinje, the former royal capital. The new capital city is Podgorica.
This offered a glimpse into Montenegrin royalty. King Nikola’s Palace, a unique blend of architectural styles, spoke volumes about the king’s taste. We also admired the spiritual center of Cetinje Monastery, dating back to the 15th century. A fascinating story ties to the monastery’s founding: a Montenegrin lord, exiled in Italy, promised to build a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary upon his return home – a promise he kept in 1484.
Our Montenegrin adventure wasn’t over yet! Climbing the serpentine road up the mountain landed us in Budva, a coastal town with a rich past. We wandered its old town walls, their weathered stones showing wear from battles and resilience.
The bustling main square, Plaza Ricardova, was a beautiful setting for swimmers and relaxation while down the street there was an unusual rock formation called Square of Poets. We also admired the beautiful Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist with its unique pattern of stone and colors.
Finally, we reached the historic Square of Salt, a former trading hub that was the center of Budva’s centuries-old salt production.
This was a very historical day through several little towns. When arriving into the beautiful Bay of Kotor, you would never think it had so much history behind it.
Tomorrow we are in Valletta Malta. We were here many years ago so it’ll be interesting if we remember it.
May God Bless you always!
Chuck and Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 