Kotor

Kotor

Historically known as Cattaro, Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro, situated in a secluded part of the Bay of Kotor. The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is encircled by Venetian-era fortifications. Kotor has one of the Adriatic's best-preserved medieval old towns and is a double Unesco World Heritage Site List. The fortified city of Kotor was included on that list. There are many attractions here, such as the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in the Old Town, which dates back to 1166, and the ancient walls that run for 4.5 km just above the city. The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon is one of the two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro. This is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotor, covering the whole of the Bay of Kotor and the Municipality of Budva. The area was once inhabited by the Illyrians, but the precise time of the first settlement is unknown, although some sources date the oldest populated area back to two millennia ago. First mentioned in 168 BC, the town was settled in the ancient Roman period, during which it was known as Acruvium, Ascrivium or Ascruvium, and formed part of the Roman province of Dalmatia. The Bay of Kotor is called by some the southernmost fjord in Europe, but actually it is a ria, a canyon of a submerged river. With the almost overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its area form a stunning scenery. In addition to Kotor, the well-preserved medieval towns of Risan, Tivat, Perast, Prčanj and Herceg Novi, as well as their natural environment, are significant tourist destinations.