World Heritage Photos

Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: Kotor is a coastal town in the northern part of Montenegro. Kotor is located at the deepest end of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska). The Bay of Kotor is the deepest natural fjord in the Mediterranean. Kotor is an ancient Mediterranean port. Kotor was conquered several times. Amongst its successive occupants were Austria, Italy and Hungary. The medieval town of Kotor is surrounded by an impressive defensive wall built by the Republic of Venice. The wall stretches from the sea along the hill slopes of the Mountain of San Giovanni (St. John) up to the fortress of San Giovanni on the top. The Sea Gate is the main entrance into the historic town of Kotor. The fortress of San Giovanni, the Castle of St. John, is situated on the top of the Mountain of San Giovanni and towers high above Kotor and the Bay of Kotor. Climbing up the 1350 steps to the fortress of San Giovanni will be rewarded with the most breathtaking views of Kotor and the Bay of Kotor. The historic centre of Kotor is home to several monuments. The largest and most impressive of these monuments is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. Other monuments in Kotor are the Orthodox St. Nicolas Church, the Church of St. Michael and the small Serbian-orthodox St. Lucas Church. The Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1979.

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   Kotor and the Bay of Kotor: The Montenegrin flag stands atop the fortress of San Giovanni. The Bay of Kotor is also known as Boka Kotorska, or just Boka. The bay is surrounded by medieval towns such as Kotor and Perast. The Bay of Kotor is a side arm of the Adriatic Sea. The Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The 16th century Sea Gate is the main entrance into the historic town of Kotor. Above the gate is a plaque to mark the liberation from the Nazi's in 1944, on the plaque is written 'Theirs we don't want, ours we don't give', a political slogan of former Yugoslavia, the slogan is often attributed to Josip Broz Tito.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The Clock Tower of Kotor is a symbol of the town. The tower stands on the main square opposite the Sea Gate. The tower was built in 1602 and has Baroque and Gothic style elements. The tower is considerable leaning towards the west caused by the earthquake in 1676.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The Romanesque Cathedral of St. Tryphon is one of the two Roman Catholic churches in Montenegro. The cathedral was consecrated in 1166 and dedicated to St. Tryphon, the patron saint of Kotor. The façade and bell towers of the cathedral were destroyed by an earthquake in 1667 and rebuilt in the Baroque style.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The Orthodox St. Nicholas Church, Sveti Nikola. The church was built in the period 1902-1907. The St. Nichola's Church was built in the pseudo-Byzantine style, the church houses a collection of imposing silver and icons, and an iconostasis, a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The St. Nicholas church, the Sveti Nikola. The St. Nicholas church is an Orthodox church. There are several small churches in the historic town of Kotor, among them are the Serbian-orthodox St. Lucas Church, the Sveti Luka, and the St. Clara Church, the Sveta Klara.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The St. Ozana church, the Sveta Ozana, also the Church of St. Mary of the River, was built in 1221, The dome over the central nave is octagonal in shape. Just behind the church lies an old pharmacy, it was built in the 14th century and probably the oldest pharmacy of the Balkans.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The former Church of St. Michael, Sveti Mihailo. The Sveti Mihailo was constructed at the end of the 14th century. The interior of the church is decorated with frescoes. Nowadays, the church houses the Kotor City Lapidarium, a collection of stone fragments of ancient monuments of Kotor.

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   Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The Kampana tower of Kotor. The medieval Port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications, built during the Venetian Period, from the 8th until the 18th century. The historic town of Kotor is located on the banks of the Bay of Kotor. The Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1979.

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    Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The two towers of the Cathedral of St.Tryphon rises above the city of Kotor. The towers were built in different styles and are different in height. The interior of the cathedral is adorned with 14th century frescoes. The Romanesque cathedral was damaged by an earthquake in 1979, the restoration and renovation was completed in 1987.

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    Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The long staircase leading to the fortress of San Giovanni, the fortress of St. John. The fortress is situated on top of St. John Hill and overlooking Kotor and its bay. The fortress contain traces of Illyrian civilisation, about the 5th century BC. To reach the fortress of St. John, you must climb about 1400 steps.

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    Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: Two donkeys carrying up restoration materials to the old fortress of San Giovanni, the fortress of St. John. Kotor was severely damaged by a number of earthquakes. The 1979 Montenegro earthquake lasted only ten seconds, but Kotor and its surrounding walls were severely damaged. The traces of the earthquake are still visible.

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    Kotor and the Bay of Kotor seen from the fortress San Giovanni, the fortress of St. John. The St. George's Island and the artificial Island of Our Lady of the Rocks, Gospa od Škrpjela, are situated off the coast of Perast in the Bay of Kotor. Kotor is situated on a peninsula, the historic centre of the town is triangular in shape. Kotor is a ancient fortified town.

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    Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: The Church of Our Lady of Health is situated half way up the fortress walls of Kotor, the church can only be reached on foot. The church was built in 1518, the remains of a 6th century church were found under the church. In 1572, it became a votive church following several plague epidemics. The walls of Kotor are about four km long.

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    Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor: A donkey on the walls of Kotor. The fortifications dates back to medieval times and are an important part of the UNESCO World Heritage in Kotor. The fortress walls and fortifications of Kotor were severely damaged by an earthquake in 1979, the traces of the earthquake are still visible. The walls are under restoration.