Montenegro

August 05, 2020

Montenegro

A small yet incredible country.

I want to be honest; I made a wrong judgment of Montenegro before even seeing the country. It made me feel bad.

Montenegro was just formally recognized as an independent country in 2006. Tourism is now the "driving force" behind Montenegro's growing economy.

I've had the opportunity to visit Montenegro during a major trip to its neighboring country in Croatia with two friends. After that trip, I became a big fan.

These are the stunning places I've seen. . . . . .

"Kotor" is one of the best-preserved medieval towns on the Adriatic coast - a majestic place. The town of Kotor is nestled against the mountains and surrounding the "Bay of Kotor."

Hikers can trek up the upper town to Kotor's hilltop fortress. You would see the walls constructed in the 9th century and eventually completed in the 18th century from the ground.

We didn't get a chance to climb up to fortifications all the way to St. John Fortress. The climb should take around an hour to the top, with 1,300 steps. You must have a lot of energy to climb and enough time to enjoy the panoramic views. Not only this place is awe-inspiring in the day time, but during the night, this wall transforms into a glowing display that looks stunning.

Kotor's "Stari Grad" (Old Town) is paved with marble and enclosed by ancient walls. The town is known for its maze-like street that even locals are lost. We had a tour guide, so we're fine.

Buildings here are hundred years old. Everything is a piece of history.

The "Church of St. Luke" is one of the old churches in the country. It was built in 1195 and has survived many earthquakes over the centuries.

In the Old Town's main square, you will find a "Clock Tower" that is one of the city's symbols. Erected in 1602, it has survived many earthquakes over the centuries. It's not really noticeable, but the clock tower is leaning slightly to one side. This tower is also one of Kotor's most photographed monuments, a great subject for historians.

"Perast" is a small town in Montenegro. Interestingly, the town has only one main street shared by hundreds of residents. Almost all of the structures in Perast are in baroque style. The town may be small, but you would be surprised to know that it has 16 churches and 17 palazzos. Few grand homes are abandoned, and some celebrities and royals buy and restoring some of these residences.

The tallest tower in the center of the town (behind me) is St. Nicholas' Church. It's a large church where the remains of various saints were buried. You can climb the tower for another panoramic view of the bay.

There are two beautiful islets off the coast of Perast. These two islets are the main attractions of the Bay of Kotor.

One is the "Island of Saint George," which is not open to the public. This islet houses the "Saint George Benedictine monastery" and the old graveyard. It is also called "The island of the dead captains." According to a legend, "a French soldier killed her beloved girl by shooting a cannon towards Perast that hit her house. That legend is said to be the inspiration for the painting "Isle of the Dead."

The other island is the "Our Lady of the Rock."

This islet has its own legend. According to the legend, "on Jul 22, 1452, two fishermen brothers from Perast found an icon of the Virgin with Christ on the sea-cliff. They brought it home, but it disappeared. They did it again the following morning, and the same thing happened. They understood the message and vowed to build a church dedicated to the Virgin, the patron saint of seafarers and fishermen. So, the small island was made by people from Perast by throwing rocks and stones around the cliff."

Every year on July 22, they celebrate this traditional event called "Fasinada," a procession of boats while they drop stones at the site.

For me, learning legends of places and traditions of other countries while you travel is part of my take away.

On the altar is the famous icon of Our Lady of the Rock, a 15th-century work. It is considered the most valuable piece of art in the church.

My excitement upon seeing the lighthouse was overwhelming. I couldn't contain my joy of discovering another lighthouse in this sacred and picturesque place. The first thing I did was to embrace it!

I shared more photos on my "Traveling Lighthouses" blog.

"Budva Old Town" is another majestic town full of history and one of the oldest preserved villages in Montenegro. It is encircled by a fortress wall built during the ninth century. Inside the wall are narrow cobbled streets with shops, cafes, bars, and many attractions, including museums and churches.

As you walk along the edge of the city walls, you'll enjoy another spectacular view of mountains and the ocean with beachgoers.

They say there's no shortage of yachts and fresh seafood in Budva. Many restaurants offer outdoor settings that would make you stay longer to enjoy the view.

A scenic location along the marina, with a choice of shrimps and a glass of wine? That's a perfect lunch!