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Where is this elusive, pocket-size country of Montenegro, Europe's
youngest country; and our 29th member to NATO? Montenegro is a tiny country in
southeastern Europe, on the sunny, southern coastline of the Adriatic Sea.
Formerly, Montenegro was part of Yugoslavia, until the break-up in 1992, and
became a sovereign state when over 55% of the population
voted for independence in May 2006.
Montenegro is often
called the land of six continents for its geographic diversity. It’s a country
that offers tourists, intrepid travelers, and holidaymakers a versatile
vacation destination; where you can tickle the turquoise sea or enjoy
the soaring, snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Our destination is the
UNESCO-protected town of Kotor, the magnificent Bay of Kotor, and the
enchanting Our Lady of Rocks islet in Perast. Just 95km from Dubrovnik we
find these picturesque villages and islands just waiting to be
unwrapped. Luckily, our driver has traveled the Adriatic coastal road for
over 35 years, maneuvering the sharp hairpin turns and the steep switchback
curves on this narrow road with ease, offering breathtaking views at every
turn.
Kotor is a very popular
European vacation destination, a real gem, located in the southernmost fjord of
the Adriatic. The most impressive structure in Old Town Kotor, dubbed
"Little Dubrovnik," is its city walls, dating back more than 1200
years, reaching 4 km in length, and stretching up to the San Giovanni fortress,
that stands 260 meters above sea level. Another medieval and Romanesque
building worth stepping inside is the Basilica of Saint Tryphon, constructed in
1166, with twin Baroque bell towers, and an impressive collection of European
art.
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The second UNESCO site is
a short boat ride from the baroque shore of Perast, in the stunning Bay of
Kotor, Our Lady of the Rocks. A photogenic Roman Catholic church, built upon
the only man-made island in the Adriatic by seamen who discovered an icon of
the Madonna and child on a seaside cliff and vowed to honor her by building a
church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of seafarers and
fishermen.
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Baroque shores of Perast, Montenegro
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A significant
historic treasure inside the church is the famous
votive tapestry, the Holy Virgin, embroidered by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović from
the quaint village of Perast. Legend weaves the story that it took her 25
years to finish, while waiting for her husband to return from exotic and
faraway places. A fabled story where she embroidered this iconic
piece with gold and silver fibers and finally with strands of her own aging
and greying hair.
Nowhere else can you
discover so much natural beauty, picturesque villages and pristine nature
in such a compact area, as in Montenegro, another hidden crown jewel of the
Dalmatian coast.
*Travel occurred in
2018
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J. Christina is the author and owner of Scribbles and
Smiles. Through our blog, we share stories of the wonderful discoveries we
have made on our European travels. Christina (Christie) is married to
John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on board with their
travel jaunts around the world sharing in their blogging endeavor - hence,
their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.
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