Tvrdava Svetog Ivana (St. John's Castle), Kotor (must see)
Perched atop the hill behind Kotor, 260 meters (or 850 feet) above sea level, stands this fortress, reachable by navigating a series of bends and conquering some 1,300 steps. The breathtaking panorama from the summit rewards the climb: the terracotta rooftops of the Old Town, the meandering ria, and the pine-clad mountains stretching beyond.
The fortress derives its name from the church situated within its main citadel, first mentioned in 1440 and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which served the needs of the army stationed to guard the city walls. The ramparts span over four kilometers in total length, with thickness varying from two to sixteen meters and heights soaring up to twenty meters in certain spots.
Constructed over centuries, the fortress and its ramparts evolved into a formidable fortification complex. The city walls themselves are attributed to the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, while their current appearance took shape during the 17th century.
On your ascent, you'll encounter the quaint Church of Our Lady of Health, built in the 1500s as a safeguard against the plague. Along the way, four chapels once held paintings depicting feasts dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, now housed within the church itself.
Tip:
Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring plenty of water for the journey 鈥� you'll need it!
The fortress derives its name from the church situated within its main citadel, first mentioned in 1440 and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which served the needs of the army stationed to guard the city walls. The ramparts span over four kilometers in total length, with thickness varying from two to sixteen meters and heights soaring up to twenty meters in certain spots.
Constructed over centuries, the fortress and its ramparts evolved into a formidable fortification complex. The city walls themselves are attributed to the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, while their current appearance took shape during the 17th century.
On your ascent, you'll encounter the quaint Church of Our Lady of Health, built in the 1500s as a safeguard against the plague. Along the way, four chapels once held paintings depicting feasts dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, now housed within the church itself.
Tip:
Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring plenty of water for the journey 鈥� you'll need it!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kotor. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Tvrdava Svetog Ivana (St. John's Castle) on Map
Sight Name: Tvrdava Svetog Ivana (St. John's Castle)
Sight Location: Kotor, Montenegro (See walking tours in Kotor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Kotor, Montenegro (See walking tours in Kotor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Kotor, Montenegro
Create Your Own Walk in Kotor
Creating your own self-guided walk in Kotor is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Kotor Palaces Walking Tour
This magnificent historic city is home to a number of wonderful palaces. Many of these beautifully ornamented mansions belonged to wealthy and influential families. Visitors can trace the history of each building by looking at the coats of arms of noble families and the paintings on the walls. Take this self-guided tour to see these beautiful historical palaces in Kotor.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Kotor's Historical Churches Walking Tour
Kotor, a picturesque coastal town in Montenegro, albeit small, nonetheless, boasts a surprising number of historical churches that beautifully reflect its centuries-old heritage. Many of these temples are richly decorated with frescoes, some dating as far back as the 1300s.
At the heart of the town lies Saint Tryphon Square dominated by the eponymous cathedral, an iconic landmark from the 12th... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.5 Km or 0.3 Miles
At the heart of the town lies Saint Tryphon Square dominated by the eponymous cathedral, an iconic landmark from the 12th... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.5 Km or 0.3 Miles
Kotor Old City Walking Tour
Nestled on the shores of the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of the surrounding mountains, the beautiful fortified city of old town Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While it receives less attention than many other settlements from the same period, Kotor is visited by more tourists every year.
The port here has been in use since Ancient Roman times, but most of the fortifications were built... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The port here has been in use since Ancient Roman times, but most of the fortifications were built... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles