Coastal towns
On the shores of the Bay of Kotor, many sights have been preserved, because people have lived here since ancient times. The Bay of Kotor itself is amazingly beautiful, it can be viewed from the adjacent rocky plateau. Several bays, interconnected by narrow channels, protrude into the coast for more than 20 km.
In the farthest part of it is the medieval city of Kotor , which is an architectural monument of UNESCO. The Old Town (as the ancient city center is called) is compactly located between the sea and the rocky spurs of the Lovcen mountain range. Its main attraction is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon., built in 1166 on the foundations of an earlier church, is dedicated to the patron and protector of the city. Fortress walls up to 20 meters high and up to 15 meters wide encircle the old city and rise high into the mountains, up to the fortress of St. Ivan. In the bay, opposite Perast, there are picturesque islets Gospa od Shkrpela and St. George, they barely have enough space for churches and a pier.
According to Top-mba-universities, Herceg Novi is located at the foot of the Orien mountain range at the exit from the Bay of Kotor. The local unique botanical garden was created over several centuries, and now many species of tropical and subtropical plants grow in it. The most famous monument of history and architecture is the Savina Orthodox Monastery (XI century), the bastions, the National Museum, and ancient residential buildings are also interesting.
Budva located in the central part of the Montenegrin coast. The old city is surrounded by high fortified walls erected in the 15th century before the Turkish invasion. Behind them begin narrow winding streets that lead to the city citadel, now a museum. Near the citadel there are three ancient churches: the church of St. Ivan of the 7th century, the church of St. Mary of the 9th century and the church of the Holy Trinity (built in 1804) – an Orthodox church built in a typical Byzantine style. Not far from Budva is the island-hotel Sveti Stefan, which has preserved the appearance of a medieval city.
Ancient Bar first mentioned in the 9th century, although this city was built by the Romans. Here, from the time of the Turkish invasion, the Hai-Nehai fortress has been preserved. Here are the cathedrals of St. George of the XII century and St. Nicholas of the XIV century. Near the Old Bar, in Mirovice, there is one of the oldest olive trees in the world, over 2000 years old.
Ulcinj – the southernmost city of Montenegro – attracts tourists not only with long beaches, but also with historical monuments. You can visit the City Museum, which is a whole historical and cultural complex, see the remains of the Venetian walls and the ethnographic museum. The architecture of the old city intertwined styles of different eras, the influence of the West and the East.
National parks
In Montenegro There are 4 national parks located in different parts of the country: “Durmitor” in the mountains in the northwest, “Biogradska Gora” in the north, “Lovcen” in the mountains off the coast and “Skadar Lake” on the plain in the southeast of the country. National Park “Durmitor” occupies the largest area. The Tara River Canyon, located here, is the deepest in Europe and is under the protection of UNESCO. You can go on a tour of it on rafts or rafts, and after the rafting visit the medieval fortress. The canyons of the rivers Piva, Moraca, Susica and glacial lakes, located in the mountainous part of the country, are incredibly beautiful.
The age-old trees of the Biograd Forest represent one of the last untouched forests in Europe. The beauty and grandeur of Skadar Lake will not leave anyone indifferent. There are large colonies of birds here. National Park “Lovcen” is famous not only for the unique and inimitable landscape of the mountains, but also because here, on the Lake Peak, there is the mausoleum of Peter II Petrovich Njegus.
Monasteries
Montenegro was and remains a religious country, one of its attractions is a rich spiritual history, monasteries and churches are scattered throughout the country. In total, there are about fifty monasteries in tiny Montenegro, of which over thirty are active monasteries.
The cultural capital is located on the slopes of Mount Lovcen Montenegro – Cetinje . The city was founded in the XIII century, and we can say that it is entirely a museum. The main shrine is the Cetinje Monastery (1484-1785), located in the very center of the city. Within the walls of this monastery are priceless relics: the embalmed hand of St. John the Baptist, part of the cross on which the Savior was crucified, and the first printed book of the southern Slavs – “Oktoih” (1494).
Ostrog Monastery, founded in the 17th century, is carved into the rock at an altitude of 900m above sea level. This place attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The relics of St. Basil of Ostrozhsky, a miracle worker and healer, revered throughout the Orthodox world, are kept here.
Not far from Kolasin is Moraca monastery. The monastery was built over 750 years ago in a picturesque location above the fast, foamy Moraca River. Like all churches of the 13th century, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in the Moraca Monastery is the tomb of the rulers. The temple is richly decorated with frescoes, among which there is a unique cycle dedicated to the prophet Elijah. The monastery also houses the church of St. Nicholas and the church of St. Archdeacon Stefan.
