Kotor, the harbour city in the Eastern Adriatic, is nestled at the foot of the steep slopes of the Lovćen, the national pride of Montenegro. The historic centre dates back to as early as the 12th century and is still inhabited.

It was founded as Catarum by the Romans, belonged to Venice for 500 years and then to Austria and was the most important port and trading city in this region.

The city fortification from the water is a massive wall protecting the old town with a length of 4.5 kilometres.

Passing the Harbour Gate, the main entrance to the old town, The route through the gate leads straight into a fascinating world as if from the Middle Ages. After the earthquake of 1979 everything having been faithfully restored. Stones from the ruins were also used in the process, and the great effort was ultimately rewarded by its inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage List.

The palace next to the cathedral which belonged to the patrician DRAGO’s family is the only surviving example of a Gothic city palace.

In 1902 the Sveti Nikola Orthodox Church was completed. Previously, the Dominican monastery of the same name stood on this site; it was built in 1540 but burned down in 1896.

In Kotor, the history of Mediterranean seafaring is still alive, a story of power and downfall.