Kotor, Montenegro

Montenegro, June 2023

By Francisco Morais

November 1^st, 2023

Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is cradled by steep mountains that plunge directly into a serene bay, creating a natural amphitheater of stone and water. The old town gate marks the entrance to lanes lined with pastel façades and shuttered windows.

The drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor is itself unforgettable. The coastal road hugs the Adriatic, twisting past sheer drops, cliff-side villages, and hidden beaches, each bend revealing a more spectacular panorama than the last.

Within the walls, winding streets ascend toward St. John’s Fortress, each step etching history into worn stones. From above, clustered rooftops and the curve of the bay stretch into the horizon, a silent panorama of endurance.

Back in the maze of alleys, artisans carve wood and paint icons in modest workshops. Markets brim with smoked prosciutto, bright peppers, and the earthy aroma of local olives, grounding the town’s grandeur in everyday craftsmanship.