Dramatically positioned in a secluded inlet of Montenegro’s Boka Bay, Kotor is a spectacularly preserved medieval gem where steep limestone peaks plunge directly into mirror-like Adriatic waters.

Nowhere is that beauty more evident than during the sail in from a high deck on the ship. If you have been following this blog you have seen the breathtaking fjords of Norway and the equally as breathtaking fjords of New Zealand. One would not expect to see such towering rugged coastal beauty in the Adriatic, but look at these views that welcomed us upon arrival.

The little church you see is Our Lady of the Rocks. It is one of the most distinctive sights in Montenegro, standing on a tiny artificial island in the beautiful Bay of Kotor.

In 1452, two sailors from the nearby town of Perast discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary and Child on a rock in the sea. They regarded it as a sacred sign. Sailors and local residents began depositing rocks around the reef. Over generations, they even sank old ships loaded with stones to create a stable foundation for the island. It is an extraordinary example of a community creating its own land. The present Baroque-style Catholic church was built in the 17th century and renovated in 1722. Its pale stone walls, terracotta roof, blue dome and slender bell tower make it instantly recognizable.

Every year on July 22nd, the people of Perast celebrate Fašinada. Decorated boats carry stones out to the island, where they are thrown into the sea to maintain its foundations and honor the centuries-old tradition.

Kotor’s labyrinthine Old Town seamlessly combines four centuries of Venetian architecture with a welcoming timeless Mediterranean atmosphere. We walked narrow pathways shaded by tall stone buildings that mark Kotor as one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic. It seems that ports around the world have adopted the habit of hanging colorful umbrellas over small plazas, but the Kotor umbrellas were closed today. It is late in the season, so we enjoyed our walk without the summer crowds.

Long ago, when ships sailed into Kotor’s harbour, they brought goods from distant lands. But ships also carried rats, and rats could spread fleas associated with the terrible plague epidemics that swept through medieval Europe.

According to the legend, Kotor’s cats became the city’s unlikely guardians.

As rats multiplied in warehouses, cellars and ships, the cats hunted them through the narrow streets and stone buildings. They prowled the harbour at night, slipped into storehouses and kept the rodents under control.

The people came to believe that the cats were protecting their homes and families from deadly disease. In time, the little hunters were regarded not merely as useful animals, but as guardians of Kotor and bringers of good luck.

I am not sure if this story is true, but what I do know is that Kotor has tried to capitalize on that theme. Everywhere you look there is cat merchandise to be purchased. There is even a cat musuem!

The real version seemed pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. I guess he wasn’t getting a commission on the sales!

Thanks for traveling with us.