Kotor Fortress sits above the old town of Kotor and is one of the best places to see in Kotor due to its panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor and the surrounding mountains.

Kotor Fortress, also known as St. John’s Fortress, is part of the historical fortifications that once protected medieval Kotor, Montenegro. The structure dates back to the year 532 during the Byzantine Empire and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Steps, steps and more steps

The ascent to Kotor Fortress starts in the old town of Kotor and winds through narrow alleys and past old houses. After passing through the town the climb to the fortress is a series of 1350 stone steps that wind up the hillside with many cutbacks to reach the top. The fortress is 280 meters (919 feet) above sea level and roughly takes about two hours for the round-trip climb up to Kotor Fortress and back down but if you are like me it could take longer because I like to stop along the way and take in the scenery.

Fortress Walls

The fortress complex walls start at the edge of both sides of the old town of Kotor and rise up to the fortress, making a complete circle around the town with the actual fortress being perched at the high point with excellent view over the city and the protection walls.

Remains of the Fortress

The site is mainly in ruins but it is most notable for its medieval architecture and the extensive remains of its defensive walls. There are several areas that have significant portions that are in relatively good conditions and some of those are seen in the following photos.

Spectacular Views

There is a reason that Kotor Fortress is built on the top of the hill, it’s because of the spectacular views! The view from the fortress stretch out for miles with wonderful views of the old town, the Kotor Bay and the surrounding mountains. The views from the fortress are absolutely worth the effort to reach the summit!

The Dust on My Shoes

Kotor Fortress is the top tourist attraction in Kotor but the fortress itself is not that special. The views from the fortress are what make the fortress popular.

The protective walls are the best preserved portion of the fortress complex and seeing the defensive wall wind through the hill is what makes fortress complex more impressive. Of course, if seeing the defensive wall rising up the hillside doesn’t impress you then hiking up over 900 feet of elevation in 1350 steps should help to make a memorable impression of Kotor Fortress and its protective walls.

Sometimes great effort is greatly rewarded! The hike up to the Kotor Fortress takes great effort but it comes with a great reward for the spectacular view of the old town of Kotor and the Kotor Bay.

Related Posts