Legendary Boka Bay and its magnificent history

Rarely do you come across the beauty that leaves you struggling for superlatives, so breathtaking you’ve few words to describe it, the beauty that stays unique no matter the time of the year or a point of view from which it is observed.

That is why Boka Bay was included in the list of 28 most beautiful bays in the world in 1997. As from 1979. one part of it is under UNESCO protection. Everyone who visits Boka Bay gets enchanted by the beauty of it.

Many choose to stay here forever, and those who mastered the art of words, communicated their impressions with the following:

“And I wonder how the sun can set when it will not find such beauties anywhere” – Ljubomir Nenadovic

 “… covered with the sky like blue silk, you are more beautiful than your seaside fairy and brighter than her necklace ….” – Aleksa Santic

“Amphitheater made of stone and sea” – Franjo Alfirević

Their words captivated the contrast of the blue sea, rough, gray, steep mountains, but also mild, green hills. Above the blue sky the colors along with the sea change from yellow mimosa, over red and white camellia to magnolia flower and indigenous oleander.

All those colors and the contrasts of nature, but people as well create the Bay of Kotor – along the coast, cities surrounded by mighty walls, on the slopes of hills old villages, bell towers, paths, fortifications, islands on the sea, and holy places on them.

A turbulent history has been created from a bay coffin full of details, each with its own story – sometimes cheerful, sometimes sad, mysterious but intriguing anyway. You can discover the Bay of Kotor by following the old paths and winding roads along the sea, but also the serpentine roads along the mountains.

It is wonderful to watch the bay from a height, but still, the way it has been done by the sea for centuries is the most beautiful, and with a small boat, yacht, or ship you will make familiarizing with the Boka Bay unforgettable.

The newest town in Boka Bay is Tivat. When it comes to life in this part of the bay, the story goes far back in time. Archaeological sites testify to the importance of the Tivat climate from the Neolithic period to the present day.

The bay of Tivat played an important role during the Middle Ages when the nobles of Kotor had their estates there, for example, Old Saline was owned by aristocratic families.

The great period of sun, clean air, and sources of drinking water made it possible to plant fruits and vegetables. The variety of wine produced in Tivat Marzamino di Teodo, which were served in the courts was widely known.

The summer houses of the Kotor rulers were arranged along the coast and provided the owners and their guests a nice and pleasant vacation. Today, there are no rulers of Kotor, but Tivat is still a place to relax and enjoy the long summer and winter days as well when this part of our bay is the sunniest.

The period of the 19th century was marked by the administration of Austria and later by Austro-Hungary. The width of the bay was crucial to create a naval center there, open a military arsenal and provide jobs for the local population.

The started to be created, it got today’s outlines, but it also got one of the most beautiful and richest parks on the eastern Adriatic coast. Today, the luxury complex  Porto Montenegro is located in the most beautiful location in Tivat, on the site of the former Arsenal.

Accommodation within luxury hotels and apartments will provide you the atmosphere of those aristocratic families who once enjoyed the benefits of the Bay of Tivat. Our port will provide a berth for your yacht or boat with which you can go on a tour of the Bay of Kotor and also visit the rest of the Montenegrin coast.

At the foot of the hill Sveti Ilija –  is Perast, a baroque town, one of the most beautiful on the Adriatic. In front of Perast, there is Verige, the narrowest part of the Boka Bay – here, a long time ago, people of Perast, used to set up large chains from one side of the sea cape to the other to prevent enemy ships from approaching the city.

Perast has been a frequent target of conquerors in the past but thanks to the courage of its sailors and captains it has always been defended. Unlike other cities on our coast that have their walls, Perast does not have any.

The Castle of the Holy Cross above the city was used for defense, as well as the towers that were built next to the old captain’s places. Mediterranean Baroque architecture adorns this small sleeping town in the Bay of Kotor, which wakes up with the first arrival of tourists, at the first signs of spring.

A large number of houses, narrow streets, and small squares are full of visitors who want to learn more about the town’s rich maritime tradition, Golfaloijeri-guardians of the flag of St. Mark, the first nautical school, carnival festivities but also about writers, bishops, and painters.

In front of Perast, there are two islets. Natural island with the church of St. George and artificial island – Our Lady of the Rocks, which is one of the most visited churches on the Adriatic. The story of the origin of this islet and the church itself is quite interesting.

Namely, back in 1452, two brothers, the Morteshics from Perast, found a picture of Our Lady with a child on a small rock, on a cliff near St. George. Encouraged by inexplicable events related to the painting, the people of Perast decide to build a chapel on a cliff and keep the image of Our Lady there.