City Orientation Walk

Transcription

1 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - City Orientation Walk Perhaps one of the most picturesque coastal places in Montenegro, the old town of Kotor is a conglomerate of Venetian architecture, Adriatic sea and overhanging limestone cliffs. A warren of winding streets and squares, the medieval old town of Kotor houses several Romanesque churches, including the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, the Maritime Museum, exploring the local seafaring history, and other remarkable sights. To see these and other notable attractions of Kotor, follow this orientation walk. Guide Location: Montenegro» Kotor # of Attractions: 15 Tour Duration: 2 hour(s) Travel Distance: 3.3 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "GPSmyCity: Walks and Articles with Offline Maps" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Kotor Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Kotor. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Square of Arms B) The Napoleon's Theatre C) Main Gate (Sea Gate) D) Clock Tower E) Bizanti Palace F) Buca Palace G) Cathedral of Saint Tryphon H) The Maritime Museum I) Lombardic Palace J) Church of St. Luke K) Church of St. Nicholas L) Church of St. Ozana (St. Maria of River) M) Northern Gate N) St. Ivan Fortress and City Walls O) Southern Gate Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

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3 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 - A) Square of Arms (must see) Trg od Oruzja (Square of Arms) is Kotor s largest city square. It got its name during the Venetian period when arms were stored and repaired here. Some of Kotor s most important buildings, such as the Napoleon Theatre and the Arsenal building are located here. Address: Trg od Oruzja, Kotor, Montenegro Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jason Rogers B) The Napoleon's Theatre The Napoleon's Theatre (Montenegrin: Napoleonovo pozorište Наполеоново позориште) was one of the first theatres constructed in the Balkans and functioned as such until the late nineteenth century. The building itself was built in the 17th century and was turned into a theatre in During the 20th century, it functioned as the Town Hall, and today it accommodates Hotel Cattaro's reception. Address: Trg od Oružja, Kotor, Montenegro Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 -

4 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - Image Courtesy of Flickr and Charlie C) Main Gate (Sea Gate) (must see) Kotor's Main Gate is the largest and probably the most beautiful of the city's three gates. Dating from the 16th Century, this gate was erected during the time of Bernardo Renier. Its style combines Renaissance and Baroque elements. Address: Sea Gate, Kotor, Montenegro D) Clock Tower (must see) Located in the very heart of Kotor, the Clock Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city. Situated opposite the Main Gate, the 16th Century tower combines elements of Baroque and Gothic architecture. Address: Main Square, Kotor, Montenegro E) Bizanti Palace Located on Trg od Oruzja, the Bizanti Palace was first erected in the 14th Century. After the devastating earthquake of 1667, the palace was significantly reconstructed. Today the edifice represents a fine example of Renaissance architecture with elements of Baroque style. The building still bears the initials and coat of arms of one of its previous owners Nikola Bizanti. Address: Trg od Oruzja, Kotor, Montenegro Image Courtesy of Flickr and Mikhail Perfilov Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

5 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - F) Buca Palace The Buca Palace is located on Trg od Brasna. It was built for the Buca family, one of the most influential families in the city, whose members included ambassadors and court officials. Much of its original Gothic style was lost after its reconstruction following the 1667 earthquake. Address: Trg od Brasna, Kotor, Montenegro Image Courtesy of Flickr and Rebecca Capra G) Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (must see) This Roman Catholic cathedral is the largest building in Kotor, and considered by many to be one of the city s most beautiful edifices. Consecrated in 1166, it was built in honor of the city s patron saint Tryphon. Seriously damaged in the earthquake that ravaged the town in 1667, its reconstruction was completed in stages due to budget constraints. As a result, its two towers each have a different style. Older than many of Europe s most famous churches and cathedrals, this cathedral houses many items of immense value. Inside you can see frescoes from the 14th Century, a stone ornament above the main altar depicting the life of St. Tryphon, and a relief of saints in gold and silver. Taken together, the feature of the church s interior represent a unique collection of all the best works of local master craftsmen. Address: no address. Sight description based on wikipedia H) The Maritime Museum The Maritime Museum of Montenegro in Kotor has grown out of the collection founded by the "Boka Marine" Fraternity, around the year 1880 and opened to public in It gradually enlarged and in 1938, it was re-arranged and opened to visitors on the first floor of the present Museum building. It was only after the end of World War II, in the period , that the whole building, Baroque palace of the noble Grgurina family from the beginning of the 18th century, was completely restored and adaptet to meet the needs of the Museum. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

6 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - The disastrous earthquake of April 15,1979, caused halt in regular activities of the Museum, its building being considerably damaged. In the period from 1982 to 1984, conservation and restoration works were finished and after the five year period of renovation, the Museum continued its activities. Address: Stari grad Kotor, Kotor, Montenegro Image Courtesy of Flickr and PROCharlie I) Lombardic Palace The Lombardic Palace is another Kotor mansion that belonged to a wealthy family. Built in the 18th Century, this traditional three-story palace is located right next to the Church of Saint Luke. Visitors can get something to drink afterwards at the popular café nearby. Address: no address Image Courtesy of Flickr and korom J) Church of St. Luke (must see) The Church of St. Luke is one of the oldest churches in Kotor. It was constructed by Mauro Kacafrangi all the way back in Located on Piazza Greca, the church combines elements of Roman and Byzantine architecture. Miraculously, it was one of the few buildings that escaped damage in the two major earthquakes that have struck the city. It s also a unique church because it features both a Catholic and an Orthodox altars. Address: Piazza Greca Sq, Kotor, Montenegro Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Brian Dell Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

7 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - K) Church of St. Nicholas (must see) The Church of St. Nicholas was built around the turn of the 20th Century in an architectural style known as Pseudo-Byzantine. You will be impressed by its rich collection of icons gathered in a decorative display behind the altar. Address: Trg Sv. Nikole, Stari grad bb, Kotor Municipality 85330, Montenegro L) Church of St. Ozana (St. Maria of River) (must see) The Church of St. Ozana was built on the site of an ancient Christina Episcopal basilica in the early 13th Century. Its structure represents a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Visitors here will also get the chance to see the relics of St. Ozana, which are housed inside. Address: no address M) Northern Gate (must see) The Nothern Gate was built to commemorate Kotor s victory over famous Hajrudin Barbarosa, a famous Turkish admiral. The entranceway represents a fine example of Renaissance architecture. Address: Northern Gate, Kotor, Montenegro Image Courtesy of Flickr and korom Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -

8 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 - N) St. Ivan Fortress and City Walls (must see) The St Ivan Fortress and city walls were gradually built up over the course of centuries. The fortifications you can see today have been well preserved, dating all the way back to the 16th Century. Address: no address O) Southern Gate Historically, the city of Kotor could be entered via three different gates. This Southern Gate (also known as Gurdic Gate) had a mechanized three-way entrance that made it one of the most important access points in the city. The other two gates - the Northern and Main gates were larger but had only one gateway. Address: Southern Gate, Kotor, Montenegro Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 -