Discovering Montenegro, the Adriatic Jewel
One of the biggest surprises in visiting the countries near the Adriatic Sea is “discovering” Montenegro, the Adriatic Jewel. Whether you arrive by land or sea, you will be filled with awe and wonder at the spectacular beauty. The mountains around this beautiful little city look black; thus, the early sailors named it Montenegro, which means “black mountain.”
A Day in Kotor in Montenegro the Adriatic Jewel:
Montenegro’s port city of Kotor recently gained popularity with cruisers. Each of my three visits here have been absolutely delightful Kotor, its ancient walls, and the fortification above the city are all UNESCO sites. Here are at least three things I recommend for your visit in Kotor:
A City Tour
Each cruise line will provide a walking city tour; depending on the cruise line, some are complimentary, and some are for a fee. Kotor itself is a walled city, surrounded by a moat. In the center of the main square is the Tryphon Cathedral. Kotor’s cathedral is unique in that only one of its towers was
completed after a severe earthquake in 1979. The local guides are quite good in giving a brief overview of their city. The walk is low impact with few stairs. I highly recommend a city tour for your first visit to Kotor. There are numerous shops, cafes, and coffee shops in which you may enjoy the ambiance of Kotor.
Montenegro, the Adriatic Jewel: Our Lady of the Rocks
According to legend, this islet was made over the centuries by Croat seamen. On July 22, 1452, sailors discovered an icon of the Madonna and Child on the rock. As the legend goes, at that time they made an oath that each seagoing vessel would toss a rock toward the rock near the Madonna with the belief that this would bring a successful voyage.
After centuries, these many rocks formed a small islet large enough to build a chapel to the Madonna. Upon returning from a successful voyage, seaman brought a tribute to the Madonna. This islet is a treat to visit. The interior chapel walls are banked with 100s of silver & gold icons given to the Madonna after a successful voyage.
To visit the islet, you will either travel around the Adriatic coast by bus or boat to the small village of Perast. From Perast you will take a brief boat ride across the water to the little islet. On the islet you should receive a guided tour of the chapel dedicated to the Madonna and Child. If you travel to Perast by bus, you will return by boat and vice versa. This excursion is a memorable treat.
Hike to the Fortification above the City:
Kotor sets at the foot of Mt. Saint John. On the top of this mountain is an ancient fortification built by different groups dating back to the 1400s. Consequently, its history is tangled and convoluted. If you want to know more about this fortification, click here. For the sake of your short visit, though, you can still climb to the top on an unguided tour. As you walk though Kotor, veer to the right; eventually, you will come to the beginning of the hike. There is a small fee of just a few Euros.
The hike to the top is over 1,500 steps. The steps are wide, steep, curved, and uneven. Each step is equivalent to two, so a hike to the top and back to the city below is approximately 5,000 steps. If you are adventuresome and in good health, I highly recommend this! There is a small chapel about halfway to the top that is a good turn around spot. And remember to take water. I’d probably avoid the hike on a rainy day because of the uneven and steep steps. The views of Kotor, the sea below, and the general area from this hike are priceless.
Location and Montenegro History:
Regardless of circumstances, Montenegro was always the Asiatic Jewel. Its Southwest coast is the Adriatic Sea. Montenegro received its name because early seaman thought the mountains looked black. The country’s west border is Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina are northwest, Serbia is northeast, Kosovo is east, and Albania is southeast. Its capital and largest city is Podgorica. The coastal town of Kotor is absolutely a delightful way to enter Montenegro.
In 1042 a revolt resulted with the independence of Duklja from the Byzantine Empire and a new dynasty formed. Over the following centuries, several different regional powers as well as the Ottoman Empire controlled the area. Montenegro became a part of the of Yugoslavia in 1918. At the end of WW II, it became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia led by Tito.
After the death of Tito, circumstances changed in the Slavic regions. When Yugoslavia broke up in 1992 with a series of revolts and revolutions, Serbia and Montenegro established the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The other former republics opposed this. Later, it renamed itself Serbia and Montenegro. On May 21, 2006, they held an independence referendum. At last, on June 3, 2006, they declared an independent Montenegro. And, three weeks later on June 28, 2006, the country officially joined the United Nations. And finally, on Oct. 22, 2007, the name “Republic of Montenegro” became official.
Montenegro Today:
Today, the country enjoys a time of peace, and it is truly the Asiatic Jewel. Its economy is based on international trade and tourism. In addition to the booming cruise ship traffic, the country also offers several world class ski areas. The Euro is the standard of change, and by European standards, their tax rate is low at a flat 9%.
Please visit the blog about Dubrovnik, Montenegro’s Croatian neighbor.
Also, check out Dr. David Slamp’s book Tales of the Magnificent Med. You can purchase it in the Alaska Bookstore.
