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A MODERATE RISE IN INFLATION IS EXPECTED
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fter gaining independence in 2006, Montenegro began building a market economy based on the rule of law and stable state institutions. The Stabilization and Association Process, which the EU instigated, has further strengthened political stability and created prerequisites for boosting economic activity. All of the aforementioned affected the dynamic economic growth and increased competitiveness of the national economy. The report titled "Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the business sector and growth prospects of the Montenegrin economy", written by the UNDP with the contribution of UNESCO and UN Women, states that, in recent years, Montenegro has had positive growth rates with some fluctuations due to the sensitivity of small market economies. This trend continued until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mentioned report also states that if we look at macroeconomic indica-
tors for the period before the COVID-19 epidemic in Montenegro, the 5.1% real GDP growth, starting in 2018, stopped in 2019, which according to preliminary data from MONSTAT, was 3, 6% primarily due to lower domestic demand.
However, in 2019, about 245 million euro worth of added value more was created compared to 2018, while inflation grew in 2019 by 1.5%. Lower inflation in 2019 was a consequence of lower prices of clothing, alcohol and tobacco. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April 2020 further lowered the prices of global commodities, thus reducing inflationary pressures. After falling by 2.5% in 2018, real wages rose by 0.5% in 2019, while private consumption continued to be the backbone of growth in 2019, adding 2.6 percentage points (pp). However, a slowdown in investments was recorded, partly due to insufficient execution of highway costs, reducing growth by 0.5 pp.
The European Commission's "European Economic Forecast - Spring 2021" report states that Montenegro experienced a very deep recession in 2020 because COVID-19 had a severe impact on the tourism-dependent economy, weakening both external and domestic demand. A partial recovery in tourism and investments is projected for 2021 while households and companies will continue to bene-
IN NUMBERS
fit from public policy support. Despite the permanent damage that the pandemic caused to domestic companies and the workforce, the economy could be restored to its pre-pandemic levels in 2022, driven by the return of the regular tourist season with positive spillover effects on private consumption, employment, the external balance and budget revenues.
Montenegro's tourism revenues fell to 3.5% of GDP in 2020, compared to 22.2% of GDP a year earlier. The collapse of the tourism industry triggered a sharp recession in the economy, which declined by 15.2% in 2020. Conditions on the labour market also deteriorated, despite measures implemented by the Montenegrin government to help companies keep their employees. In order to support citizens and the economy, the Government of
Montenegro has implemented several economic support packages, including wage subsidies and temporary tax cuts for businesses and individuals, leading to an increase in public debt and deficit. The increased number of people infected with COVID-19 and slow progress in vaccination could jeopardize this year's summer season, which is vital for inflationary pressure. However, a moderate increase in inflation is expected this year and next.
The report "Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the business sector and growth prospects of the Montenegrin economy" also points out that the COVID-19-induced crisis has shown again that preserving macroeconomic and financial stability, along with building fiscal reserves to cover situations like these, is key to improving the country’s resilience to economic shocks and that such stability is a necessary condition for maintaining high growth in the medium term, which was previously recognized as an important policy.
POSITIVE ECONOMY FORECAST
The economy is expected to partially rebound in 2021, with GDP growth of 8.5%, helped by the strong contraction last year and the consequent positive base effect
M
ontenegro's economy is expected to grow by 8.5% in 2021, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said in June, improving its September forecast for 5.0% growth. In 2022, Montenegro's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to expand by 6.0%, the EBRD said in the latest edition of its Regional Economic Prospects report.
Changes to the border policy this year should also support a partial recovery in the tourism sector. Downside risks are a possible weaker than expected recovery in tourism due to a prolonged impact of the pandemic as well as limited fiscal space to accommodate further spending should such needs arise, the EBRD said.
The Fund expects an average consumer price inflation of 1.0% in Montenegro in 2021, compared to 0.9% deflation last year. The average inflation is seen at 1.2% in 2022 and 1.7% in 2026. Montenegro's current account gap is projected at 18.7% of GDP in 2021, before narrowing to 12.0% next year. The deficit is expected to shrink to 9.2% of GDP in 2026. The current account gap stood at 25.9% of GDP last year, according to the report.
The total trade between these two countries decreased by 12.3% compared to 2019
W
hen it comes to the Montenegrin economy, about 90% of Montenegrin stateowned companies were privatized by 2015, including the entire banking, telecommunications and oil sector. Tourism, which accounts for about 20% of Montenegro's GDP, brings in three times as many visitors each year as the total population of Montenegro. In addition to tourism, energy and agriculture are also considered
IN THE PERIOD FROM 2006 TO JUNE 2019, TOTAL SERBIAN INVESTMENTS IN MONTENEGRO AMOUNTED TO 516.6 MILLION EURO
pillars of the country's economy. The largest foreign investors in Montenegro come from Russia, Italy, Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary and Serbia.
TRADE IN GOODS
In 2020, the total trade between Serbia and Montenegro amounted to 751.6 million euro and recorded a decrease of 12.3% compared to 2019. Exports from Serbia to Montenegro amounted to 687.1 million euro, which is a 12.7%
decline compared to 2019, while imports from Montenegro dropped by 7.9% compared to 2019 and amounted to 64.4 million euros The trade surplus amounts to 622.7 million euro. in 2020, Montenegro occupied 7th place on the list of countries that Serbia exported to the most, with a 4% share. As far as the countries that Serbia mostly imported from in 2020, Montenegro ranks in 38th place with 0.3% of total goods Serbia imported.
In the first three months of 2021, the value of trade between Serbia and Montenegro stood at 166.5 million euro, which was a 6.7% decrease compared to the same period in 2020. Exports to Montenegro amounted to 151.7 million euro, 7.3% less compared to the same period last year, while imports from Montenegro are lower by 0.6% compared to the same period in 2020 and amounted to 14.9 million euro. The trade surplus amounted to 136.8 million euro.
Based on the data collated by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia - Customs Administration, 6,002 companies do business with the Republic of Montenegro. Serbia mostly exported the following products to Montenegro in the period from January to March 2021 - boilers, machines and devices, reactors, electrical machines, road vehicles, pharmaceuticals, beverages, alcohols and vinegar, mineral fuels, oils and wax, various food products, iron and steel products. In the same period, Serbia mostly imported the following products from Montenegro - mineral fuels, oils and wax, meat and meat offal, aluminium and aluminium products, wood and wood products, charcoal, beverages, alcohols and vinegar, and copper and copper products.
The Serbian companies that exported the most to Montenegro in 2020 include Zijin Bor Copper, Titan Cement Plant Kosjerić, Ino Predstavništvo, Hemofarm, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bot-
tling Company Serbia and Sontango. The Serbian companies that imported the most from Montenegro are Ino Predstavništvo, Impol Seval Aluminum Rolling Mill Sevojno, Hemofarm, Gold Distribution and Mesopromet Group.
SERVICE TRADE
In 2020, the trade in services between the two countries amounted to 280 million euro. In the same period, Serbia exported services worth 143 million euro to Montenegro, which is a decrease of 37.3% compared to 2019. In 2020, Serbia imported services worth 137 million euro from Montenegro, which is a 26.4% decline relative to 2019. The surplus in the service trade in 2020 amounted to 6 million euro.
According to the data from the Serbian Business Registers Agency, in 2020, a total of 538 active companies, majority-owned by the Montenegrin companies and nationals, operated in Serbia. This number also includes those companies that are undergoing the bankruptcy procedure, i.e. are in the process of liquidation.
There are 538 registered companies in Serbia that were established following an investment of Montenegrin citizens or legal entities registered in Montenegro. The largest number of Montenegrin companies in Serbia operates in wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, administrative and support service activities, construction, accommodation and food services, professional, scientific, innovation and technical activities, manufacturing, information and communication, transport and storage, real estate, financial activities and insurance activities.
According to the data collated by the National Bank of Serbia, the total net investments of Montenegrin residents in Serbia, in the period 2010-2018, amounted to 155.3 million euro. According to the data of the Central Bank of Montenegro, the total investments from Serbia in Montenegro, in the period from 2006 to June 2019, amounted to 516.6 million euro. The biggest investments were made in 2010 and amounted to 81.8 million euro, while in 2018, investments amounted to 65.5 million euro.
GRAPHIC VIEW OF TRADE BETWEEN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO FROM 2013 TO 2021 (JANUARY TO MARCH)
CULTURAL TREASURY OF MONTENEGRO
The cultural heritage of Montenegro - a magnificent mosaic of civilizational achievements
B
etween the graceful Adriatic Sea and the impressive gigantic mountains, the Mediterranean climate of the south and the rugged mountain peaks of the north, lies a cultural heritage of a territorially small, but strong and proud country - Montenegro.” At the birth of our planet, the most beautiful encounter between the land and the sea must have happened at the coast of Montenegro," said the famous English poet Lord Byron. This unique beauty of nature, culture, and tradition has been resisting the ravages of time and transience.
The cultural space of Montenegro was created under the influence of both the Eastern and Western civilizations. This country has inherited traces of pagan, Illyrian, Hellenistic, Romanesque, Catholic, Orthodox and Islamic influences. Montenegro is a magnificent mosaic of civilizational achievements, thanks to all the cultures that have stayed in it, some longer, some shorter. In the rich cultural treasury of this country, you can find important archaeological sites such as Crvena Stena (The Red Rock), the first known habitat of prehistoric man in Montenegro, ancient Duklja where the famous Podgorica cup was discovered, illustrated with early Christian motifs and which is now in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, as well as one of the largest cities of the Roman province of Dalmatia - Municipium S. The cultural heritage of Montenegro consists of the immortal verses of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, the charm of medieval towns and fortresses, monumentality and spiritual power of monasteries, elegance and permanence of cathedrals, the timeless talent of painters Dado Djurić, Petar Lubarda and Milo Milunović, film director Živko Nikolić and many other artists.
WRITER, PHILOSOPHER, STATESMAN
The author of heroic and moral verses – “Everyone is born to die once, honour and disgrace live forever” - or – “It is easy to be good when good is around. You can tell a fearless man in times of trouble“, with the quality and strength of his work, Petar II Petrović Njegoš attracted the attention of the then European public to the small country of Montenegro, whose people had al-
ways been brave, defiant and proud. His most famous books, such as "Gorski Vijenac", "Luča Mikrokozma" and "Lažni Car Šćepan Mali", made him one of the world's greatest writers. Njegoš’s writing is deeply thoughtful and possesses a significant artistic, literary and historical value. The monumental Njegoš's Mausoleum was built on the massive mountain of Lovćen (its summit called Jezerski Vrh), a place that the poet chose for eternal rest during his lifetime. His birth house is located in the village of Njeguši, while at Njegoš's museum, called Biljarde, which is located in the town of Cetinje, you can see the poet's personal belongings, numerous works of art, as well as his library and manuscripts, the most prominent of which is the original manuscript of “Gorski Vijenac”.
SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL CENTRES
Churches and monasteries are important cultural and historical monuments that testify to the turbulent history of Montenegro. They mostly reflect the Byzantine influence both in architecture and frescoes. The monasteries of Ostrog, Morača and the Cetinje monastery stand out for their monumentality and beauty. A masterpiece of nature and man, standing at 900-metres-altitude, the magnificent Ostrog Monastery emerges from a steely rock. Due to its exceptional spiritual strength and unique ambience, this sanctuary is one of the most visited in the Christian world. It was founded in the 17th century, in honour of St. Basil of Ostrog, who was buried inside the monastery and is believed to have miraculous powers. The Morača Monastery was founded in the 13th century by a member of the famous Nemanjić family - Stefan Nemanjić, son of Vukan and grandson of Stefan Nemanja. Legend has it that the monastery was built of special yellow stones which people, forming a long line, passed hand to hand, from Tušina to Morača. The frescoes in this monastery, such as "The Raven Feeds the Prophet Elijah" and "The Birth of St. John the Baptist" are some of the most beautiful examples of fine art in the Balkans in the 13th century. The Cetinje Monastery has exceptional cultural and historical significance, preserving some of the most important Christian relics, such as the Hand of St. John the Baptist and the Particles of the Holy Cross. In addition, the monastery’s museum is home to the epitrachelion of Sava Nemanjić, the crown
FEATURE
of Stefan Dečanski, as well as the first book printed in South Slavs – “Oktoih Prvoglasnik”. Forty years after Gutenberg printed the first book in the world - the Bible - on his press in Mainz, the world saw the first book in the Slavic language called “Oktoih Prvoglasnik”, printed in Cetinje, Montenegro, which is one of the biggest printing achievements of the 15th century.
Apart from the mentioned monumental monasteries, other sacral monuments that represent the pinnacle of artistic creation are the Cathedral of St. Tripun in Kotor and the Church of Our Lady of Škrpjela near Perast. The magnificent Cathedral of St. Tripun is located in the heart of the old town of Kotor, built in 1166, and is one of the oldest churches in Europe. It is 69 years older than the Church of Notre Dame in Paris, and 460 years older than the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. During its long history, it experienced many sufferings, reconstructions and additions. It was originally built as a Romanesque basilica, but later, during the reconstruction and following the earthquake, it was rebuilt in the
Renaissance-Baroque style. The Cathedral is valuable because of its treasury, added in 1657, which contains silver objects, among other things. Another work of art of great value is an ornate golden vessel holding St. Tripun’s skull. Montenegro has many unusual cultural monuments, such as Ostrog, which is located in a natural cave, and the Church of Our Lady of Škrpjela, built on an artificial island and created by laying stones around a sea rock on which, according to legend, fishermen found an icon of the Virgin with Christ. Our Lady of Škrpjela has been standing with dignity and peace on the Adriatic Sea for several hundred years and is reflected in the beautiful blue waters around it. In such an ambience, it charms all passers-by and visitors with its fairy-tale-like scenery. In today's church, which was built by the Venetians in 1630, there is a tapestry embroidered by Jacinta Kunić from Perast, from 1803 to 1828, while she was waiting for her sailor husband to come home. This is a unique piece that she made from her own hair. The church itself was painted by the Boka painter Tripo Kokolja, and his most significant work is the decoration of the interior of the church of Our Lady of Škrpjela, a masterpiece of Baroque art.
LIFE AND CHARM OF MEDIEVAL TOWNS
Montenegro is further enriched by the spirit of the Mediterranean, which imperishability and invincibility adorn the six old towns that are interwoven with the architecture of various periods. The old parts of the towns of Budva, Kotor, Risan, Perast, Herceg Novi, Bar and Ulcinj are breathtakingly beautiful and for a moment, transport you back to the time when they were built. In the old coastal towns, surrounded by walls, you can feel the spirit of the Illyrians, Greeks and Romans who left important material evidence of ancient times, namely fortresses, bell and clock towers, citadels, hamams, armouries and such. It is interesting to note that the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, who later wrote the novel Don Quixote, was held prisoner at Ulcinj's Old Town. Back then, the town was called Cita di Dolcinio, Cervantes named Don Quixote’s mistress, Dulcinea, after the town where he had been kept prisoner for five years. Even today, there is a square in Ulcinj where trading in slaves used to take place - it is called Slave Square or Cervantes Square.
Apart from these timeless monuments, Montenegro also lives in the sublime verses of Njegoš, Lubarda's expressive paintings, and the unusual films directed by Živko Nikolić. As one of the Montenegrin historians and academics, Pavle Mijović, said in his book „The Art Treasure of Montenegro - "The universal feature of the art of this country from its cave to the cosmic era is the inseparability of artistic expression from the urge for life and the struggle for survival."
KOTOR: CHARM OF THE WATER
The town of Kotor, Montenegro rests in a magnificent mountain valley and is tightly knitted between the steep mountainsides and the Bay of Kotor. Its reflection in the still waters of the bay during the evening is a photographer’s dream
K
otor, walled town, seaport, and resort at the south end of Kotor Bay, one of four bays of the Gulf of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), on the Adriatic coastline of Montenegro. The town lies at the foot of the sheer Lovćen massif, which rises to 5,738 feet (1,749 metres). Kotor was founded by the ancient Romans as Acruvium. In the 10th century it was an autonomous city ruled from Byzantium. It was Venetian and Hungarian for brief periods, an independent republic from 1395 to 1420, and Venetian again until 1797. Between 1807 and 1814 it was occupied by France. The French period was followed by Austrian domination until 1918.
Much of Kotor’s medieval fortifications remains. Its main gate dates from the 16th century; the south gate, Kotor’s oldest, was partially built in the 9th century. Kotor has many historic buildings, the largest and most beautiful of which is St. Tryphon Cathedral, which was built in 1166 and contains many frescoes and a treasury of jewels. Also notable are the Church of St. Luke (1195), which was originally Roman Catholic but has been an Orthodox church since the 17th century; the Church of St. Mary (1221), which contains medieval frescoes and the remains of a basilica (c. 6th century); and several palaces of prominent families, including the 18th-century Grgurina Palace, which is now a maritime museum. The oldest town in Montenegro, Kotor is now a state-protected historical monument. In 1979 a major earthquake seriously damaged the town, but much of it has been restored. Also in 1979 Kotor was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Glosa With its pristine, modern port and an ancient history for the old town, Kotor earns its UNESCO World Heritage site reputation easily.
PRINCIPLES OF CHIVALRY AND HEROISM
T
he constant struggle for freedom has ennobled the Montenegrin people with the most sublime virtues - heroism and chivalry (čojstvo, in the Montenegrin language). For their survival, the threat of nature was smaller than that of external enemies of freedom and independence. In these struggles, Montenegrins showed their fighting spirit, courage, patriotism, defiance and pride, which were praised in the songs written by people from both the West and the East. The English writer Alfred Tennyson acclaimed about the Montenegrins - "Oh, smallest among peoples! Rough rock-throne of freedom! Warriors beating back the swarm of Turkish Islam for five hundred years. Black ridges drew the cloud and brake the storm that has breathed a race of mightier mountaineers“. The victory over Napoleon's army in alliance with the Russian tsarist fleet was described by the great Russian poet. Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, in the song "Bonaparte and the Montenegrins" in which he repeats with astonishment Napoleon's question – „Who are the Montenegrins and is not this "evil tribe" afraid of French power?“
The struggle for freedom created not only brave people, but also heroic art such as "Gorski Vijenac", and the famous author of this book, Petar II Petrović Njegoš, who, through his literary accomplishments, elevates Montenegro to the heights of developed European cultures. In „Gorski Vijenac“, Njegoš fittingly describes the basic idea - the understanding that the fight for freedom and independence is the main and greatest human duty. In this book, he talks about the Montenegrin heroic-patriarchal culture, which is weaved from heroism, chivalry, singing accompanied by gusle (a one-string fiddle), kolo, various beliefs, rituals, respect for the elderly or head of the family...
During the centuries-long rich history, Montenegro is one of the brightest examples of the struggle for freedom, the country's existence and a place that has always been spoken about with reverence.
The desire for freedom and independence is the highest and most important goals of the Montenegrin people, which is why the virtues of the individual that contribute the most to that
are valued the most, above all - heroism. However, this should not be an object of evaluation in itself but must be motivated by the highest and noblest goal, and that is freedom. Heroism leads the patriotism, combativeness and love of freedom. The personality of heroes in Montenegro is especially valued, i.e. their honesty, sense of justice, chivalry. This is why the highest value is not only pure courage - heroism, but ethically ennobled courage - chivalry. It is nice to defeat the enemy with heroism, but it is better to outstrip them with chivalry.
This is exactly what the writer and duke Marko Miljanov Popović wrote about in the book "The Examples of Chivalry and Heroism", in which he states: „Heroism is when I defend myself from another, chivalry is when I defend another from myself.“ Heroism - "defending oneself from others" - is only a preparatory stage for chivalry "defending others from oneself", which represents the highest level of ethical value. Miljanov's whole book is subordinated to one basic thesis and one main theme - honour. He states the moral principles that the Montenegrin people should be guided by, such as „be careful what you say, and when you give your word, it obliges you in sickness and health. Honour is more precious than life or a hero is only one who never forgets that they are human“.
A given word or promise carries a special weight among Montenegrins. A good example of this is provided by the first unwritten rules of banks-credit institutions at the time when they are constituted. One of the terms and conditions for granting a loan, was a pledge, a mortgage or a given word. It is especially interesting to note is that every single loan, which had been granted with the borrower's promise to pay it back as the only collateral, was paid off.
For hundreds of years, Montenegrins adhered to unwritten rules and were guided by honour and customs. They obeyed these moral principles not out of coercion or under threat, but out of the moral law within themselves which dictated the rules of conduct to them. Honour is the basic postulate and unit of measurement of human and good deeds. It is most often defined as a moral attitude, based on ethical principles, which encourages behaviour worthy of respect. The goal
PRINCIPLES
of Marko Miljanov's work "The Examples of Chivalry and Heroism" was to raise morale in the tribe of the heroic past. Forgiveness is a common motif in his stories, in which the heroes forgive insults and "lives". When we say that „lives are forgiven“, we are referring to the custom of blood feud among Montenegrins, which speaks of the conflict between two families that begins usually with the murder of a member of one family, and which continues with the killing of one man from each family at a time. The term used is that one family "owes blood" to another and the debt is returned only by killing a man from another family.
In his book, Marko Miljanov repeatedly recounts how the perpetrator often gives up on revenge, because he does not want to leave, even the bloodthirsty, family without a single
male head of the family. This book also talks about the importance of being a proper host to guests, but also about the already mentioned given word. The guest, or the person who is in trouble and asks for help, is always provided with shelter, protection and even revenge if any evil thing happens to them while they are staying at the host's house. If the guest took a piece of bread and salt from the host's hands, they will never suffer from the hand that offered them this bread and salt. Special attention has always been paid to travellers and guests in Montenegro. According to tradition, they are still offered fitters with honey (called priganice) as a welcome treat, as well as a shot of homemade brandy.
Montenegrins are a proud and brave people, ready to fight for their freedom, but above all a nation that holds morals, honour, humanity and the given word above anything else. Marko Miljanov writes in his book about how important a given word was to the people – „ it is harder to trample on the given word, than everything else that is out there!“ Njegoš's verse - "Everyone is born to die once, honour and shame live forever" - speaks best about the importance of chivalry among Montenegrins.
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POLICY
TWO PEARLS OF BOKA KOTORSKA
“I
wonder how the sun can set when this beauty cannot be found anywhere but here,” wrote the writer and diplomat, Ljubomir Nenadović, inspired by the gorgeous twilight over the Bay of Kotor. The poet Aleksa Šantić was also enchanted by the bay’s beauty, called it “the bride of the Adriatic” and immortalized it in the verses - “Our dear Boka, the bride of the Adriatic, covered with the sky of blue silk, you are more beautiful than your seaside fairy and you are holier than her necklace.” In 1997, the Bay of Kotor was listed among the 28 most beautiful bays in the world. Every neighbourhood in Boka, every small town and island captivates with its beauty and uniqueness.
KOTOR – THE VENICE OF MONTENEGRO
In the embrace of this paradise bay, lies one of the most beautiful and charming cities in Montenegro - the medieval city of Kotor. This town has resisted ravages of time for centuries and with dignity suffered through all the troubles that befell it. The various colonists, the plague and the earthquakes that struck this place, did not diminish its pristine beauty. On the contrary, they gave it an extra dose of respect and admiration. Surrounded by the proud Lovćen Mountain and the sea, it seems as if the mountains have cracked and let the sea enter their laps. One of the legends about the town’s origin says that the fairy, who lived in the surrounding mountains of hilly Montenegro, advised Tsar Stefan how to build a town on the sea, "because without the sea, you have no life - there are no docks for ships and no watering plac-
es for a horse on the hill ”. You enter the ancient Kotor as if you are entering a fairy tale - through the main Marine and North or South city gates. The magnificent Kotor ramparts, about 4.5km long, up to 20m high, seem to form a frame for the lively picture of the Kotor town. This image was created by different cultures and civilizations - Kotor was part of the Duklja state, then Raška under the Nemanjić dynasty, for almost four centuries, it was ruled the Venetian Republic and for over a century, it was a part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. All these influences have contributed to today’s Kotor unique look and architecture.
Surrounded by grandiose walls, Kotor is crisscrossed by old cobbled
streets, stone palaces, museums, winding streets and numerous town squares and piazzettas, but also features elaborate staircases and magnificent gates that feel as if leading you straight into a medieval fairy tale. Its history is best evidenced by the town’s landmarks, such as the impressive Cathedral of St. Tripun, which is a symbol of Kotor. It is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, whose iconic status was transferred from Asia Minor to Kotor in the early 9th century and is the most important monument of the medieval Kotor.
There is also the town’s main square - the Square of Weapons (Trg od Oružja) - which in the Venetian era, was used for storing and repairing weapons. Here you can experience the architecture and spirit of the Baroque and Renaissance, but also attend traditional festivals. The Tower, with a clock dating back to the 17th century, is also located in this square, and below it is the Pillar of Shame, on which convicts were once publicly punished. In addition to the Tower, there is also the Rector's Palace, the Arsenal building, the Napoleon Theatre and the City Guard Tower. Due to its authenticity and general cultural and historical values, Kotor is on the UNESCO list as part of the world's natural and cultural heritage.
BAROQUE TOWN OF PERAST
Perast is a small place with a rich history. It started as a small fishing village to become a magnificent, rustic baroque city, a unique pearl of the Mediterranean. Perast’s main square is dominated by the church of St. Nikola with its impressive 55-metre-high-bell tower which is the second-highest bell tower on the Adriatic. 60 narrow steps lead to its top, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the roofs of Perast and the bay.
The beautiful palaces in Perast, although today largely neglected and overgrown with ivy, still testify to the golden age of this town. One of the great poets and philosophers, Petar II Petrović Njegoš, often stayed in the Balović palace and the Djuro Djuranović house. It is believed that he wrote a love song "Night worth a century" there. Apart from the St. Nikola Church, Perast has 17 more churches, including the Church of St. Ana, which is located high above the town and decorated with frescoes by Tripo Kokolja, a Baroque painter who also painted the interior of the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks. The legend says that the island was created in the early 15th century when two fishermen from Perast saw the light on a small reef. When
they approached it, they saw an icon with the image of the Mother of God. This was the "Sign of God" for the people of Perast and the reason to build the church here. To do so, they made an artificial island by piling up stones on an underwater cliff. The magnificent Our Lady of Škrpjela church is located on that island. Next to it, there is the Island of St. Djordje, which was admired by writers Stendhal, Arthur Miller, Ernest Hemingway, Sima Milutinović, Sima Matavulj, Vuk Karadžić, Ivo Andrić, Branko Ćopić…
St. Djordje is a Catholic church built on a natural island, popularly called the Island of the Dead because a large cemetery spans the whole island which is the resting place only for the most famous people of Perast. The island also has the 19th-century-Benedictine-monastery and a small church dedicated to St. Djordje. The story of Perast’s Rome and Juliet is connected to this place. Namely, in 1813, when the Bay of Kotor (but not Perast) was under the occupation of Napoleon Bonaparte, the young soldier Ante received an order to hit Perast with a grenade from the island. After Perast surrendered, happy that everything ended so quickly, the young soldier Ante went to the town to meet up with his darling Katica but found her dead. She was killed by a grenade fired at Perast. After that unfortunate event, Ante left the army and became the eternal guardian of her grave. Today, you can see two monuments next to each other on the island.
The Bay of Kotor is unique in many ways, a refined, wise thread of the Adriatic, which is the main character in many stories, legends and secrets. It was also the scene of the struggle for freedom and testified to the courage of the Montenegrins. It intoxicates with its unobtrusive, dignified beauty and spiritual strength. No matter how much you observe and enjoy it, you can never fully grasp it and figure out its permanence and timeless charm.
