Kotor

En route to Kotor, the biggest old urban area in Montenegro, we anchored up in Dinj Morinj for a much needed swim.  Wow was the water cold in large patches, it felt like alpine melt, and we were sure there was a stream entering in the bay mixing with the otherwise acceptably warm water! We motored past Perast and the two delightful churches built on mounds of stones offshore from the town.

All of us on board, Nigel, Mo, John and Ada were overwhelmed with the town of Kotor. Even as we approached we could see the city walls coiling up the mountainside to fortress ruins on the top – it looked like a mini version of the Great Wall of China.

At sea level, the walls encircled the old town and access was by only 3 gates, one of which was almost opposite where the boat was moored up.

Roman origins, Byzantine and Venetian buildings have given Kotor a unique mix of cultural influences.  It was listed with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

The Cathedral  of St Tryphon was a highlight, as was the Maritime Museum with its interesting audio tour.

The areas has longstanding traditions with ship building, defence and maritime activity.

We all set off to climb the city walls, and only John and Ada made it to the very top. Nigel and Mo set off to find refreshement in the cafe below!