During the period of Austro-Hungarian rule (1797-1806 and 1814-1918), the whole area of Boka Kotorska was a unique fortress – the for tress of Boka Koroska, composed of a network of numerous and diverse fortifications, military facilities and roads. The fortifying of Boka Kotorska and the construction of modern fortifications entailed the building of roads, as well. At the beginning, only minor roads were built, intended for cargo transport by horses. The changing of warfare techniques and the beginning of construction of armoured fortresses initiated the construction of gravel roads. The most intensive construction took place between 1882 and 1914. The majority of roads still existing in Boka Kotorska were built in that period for military purposes.
The armoured fortress of Vrmac is situated at 485 m above sea level, at a strategically very important point offering the view of the two parts of Boka Kotorska Bay. It was built in 1894 at the site of an earlier fortress from 1860. It was constructed as a mountain fortress that combines all the necessary spaces for troops, operational part and defense in one object. It was reconstructed between 1906 and 1907. Following the damage in the World War I, it was restored in 1916. The armoured fortress of polygonal shape is partly dug into the ground and surrounded a by moat 7 m wide and 5 m deep. It has two floors and an inner enclosed courtyard.
done by horses and mules, the sloping should not exceed 15 degrees. This maximal sloping of the road determined the number of serpentine curves (kanica) that we needed. The road was built on a very steep terrain requiring a large number of serpentines, and it represents an exceptional technical solution, an architectural and engineering achievement of outstanding value. The serpentines were carefully built in dry-stone technique using finely cut stone blocks with very narrow joints, while the retaining walls are inclined for stability. The road is about 1.8 m wide. The road is cobbled in some sections, and it has gutters for atmospheric water drainage. Today, the road is approached from Peluzica, through a settlement and a private estate, or from the curve on Kotor-Trojica road.
Vrmac Fortress
A wall supporting serpentine road Muo-Vrmac
Macadam road Vrmac Fortress-Sveti Ilija hilltop
A macadam road leading from Vrmac Fortress to Sveti Ilija hilltop was built after 1882, during the most intensive construction of military roads. The road runs along the hill crest offering the views both of Kotor and Tivat Bays. The road passes through a pine forest near the Vrmac fortress, and had different batteries, magazines and minor defensive posts arranged along it. The central part of the road offers a view of Tivat Bay on one side and of Kotor Bay on the other side, making, together with the ragged landscape and the smell of mugworts and winter savory this place quite exceptional.
A section of the road Vrmac Fortress-Sveti Ilija / Gornja Lastva ©Zoran Nikolić
A serpentine road Muo – Vrmac is one of the oldest Austro-Hungarian military roads in Boka Kotorska. It was built in 1860 during the reign of Franz Joseph I, which is confirmed by a plate built in one of the serpentines’ retaining wall, with the inscription: FJI 1860. The road connected Vrmac Fortress situated at the top of the hill with Kotor, i.e. with ammunition magazines situated in Muo.
A view from Sveti Ilija hilltop
Part of the serpentine road leading through pine forest ©Zoran Nikolić
Part of the complex by the macadam road
The fortress is a part of the complex that included officers’ barracks, warehouses, magazines and lookout posts. There were two cisterns, a vaulted one within the fortress and one in the vicinity of officers’ barracks.
Topographic map: Real estate administration of Montenegro Author of the map: EXPEDITIO Cover photograph: Duško Tasić
In the upper zone the road passes through a pine forest. Near the top, a path branches off the road, leading to a viewpoint giving a stunning panorama of Kotor with Lovćen Mountain and the whole Bay of Kotor.
The road leads on to a crossroads, from where it branches towards Sveti Ilija hilltop on one side, and Gornja Lastva on the other. At the beginning of branch leading to Sveti Ilija hilltop, a large water cistern stands, and several serpentines lead to the top. Several minor defensive, cannon and lookout posts were arranged along the serpentines. Sveti Ilija hilltop (766 m above sea level) offers a view of Kotor Bay, Lovćen Mountain, Herceg Novi, Luštica Peninsula and the open sea.
Adriatic Sea
A network of walking trails and roads connecting coastal settlements with the older ones on the hillsides and with the hinterland, as well as a network of roads created as part of a defensive system, make an important segment of the cultural landscape of Kotor Region. These roads and paths which are suitable for walking and hiking make it possible to view and experience the values of World Heritage cultural landscape from different angles.
This road belongs to a group of minor roads built for the purpose of constructing a fortress of an older type. Given that the transport was
The map has been produced within the framework of project “Trails through World Heritage”, conducted by the non-governmental organization EXPEDITIO. The project was funded by the Municipality of Kotor, with the participation of the Tourism organization of Kotor.
• Cultural Heritage of Vrmac, 2015 • The Study on the Protection of Cultural Properties in the Municipality of Kotor, 2017 • http://whc.unesco.org/ • Management Plan of the Natural and CulturoHistorical Region of Kotor, 2011 Main sources:
Boka Kotorska Bay Buffer zone Property on the World Heritage List Kotor Tivat Herceg Novi
MUO [Peluzica] VRMAC FORTRESS SVETI ILIJA HILLTOP Trails through World Heritage Walking and Hiking Trails within the Natural and CulturoHistorical Region of Kotor
A harmonious relationship between the impressive environment of the Bay and the wealth and diversity of its cultural heritage that has been created over centuries makes the Region of Kotor a cultural landscape of outstanding universal value. The Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor, part of the Boka Kotorska Bay, is one of more than 1000 sites all over the world that have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List because they posses outstanding value for the humankind.
Montenegro The location and surface of the Natural and CulturoHistorical Region of Kotor
17 km
Muo-Viewpoint-Muo
Muo-Sveti Ilija hilltop-Muo
500
0
European unique emergency number - 112
Hiking without a guide is on one’s own responsibility
7.8 km
Trail
Sveti Ilija hilltop (765 m.a.s.l.)
1000
Length
©Zoran Nikolić
05
Crossroads, water cistern
Gravel road
Vrmac Fortress complex
Viewpoint
Serpentine road Muo-Vrmac
Muo (Peluzica)
Legend
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MUO [Peluzica] VRMAC FORTRESS SVETI ILIJA HILLTOP
6h 30min
3h 30min
Time
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Medium
Level of difficulty
©Prioryman
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05
Height (m)
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100
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8,50
8,00
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7,50
765m.a.s.l. 800 07 685m.a.s.l.
CROSS-SECTION
7,00
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6,50
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01
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5,50
4,50 Distance (km)
5,00
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4,00
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3,50
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3,00
476m.a.s.l. 451m.a.s.l.
2,50
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2,00
1,50
Adriatic Sea
Herceg Novi
1,00
Tivat
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Boka Kotorska
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0m.a.s.l.
Kotor