Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Tourist attractions - What are some unknown attractions when traveling in Europe?

What are some unknown attractions when traveling in Europe?

The Ancient City of Kotor

The travel bible "Lonely Planet" once ranked this beautiful town hidden among the jagged mountains and bays as the ultimate among the best travel destinations in the world. list, and ranked it first among the top ten tourist cities in the world in 2016.

When you mention Constantine, Justinian, and Saracen, you may think of Rome and Constantinople. But only when you come here will you discover what "Wanderer's Wonderland" is.

No other medieval town is as well-preserved as Kotor, as if it had never been in the world. Even if it was destroyed by the world, it could still be revived.

This ancient city, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is attached to the Bay of Kotor, the most jagged coast of the Adriatic Sea, and can be blocked by a chain. It is precisely for this reason that the ancient Venetians once invested heavily in building walled fortresses. The entire city was like a large maze. Without a map, it was easy to get lost.

St. Tryphon's Cathedral, built in 1166, is the tallest landmark building in Kotor and the oldest and most famous church on the Adriatic coast. Church bells ring every half hour, reaching every corner of the city.

To enjoy the views of the fjord and town, you can climb to the highest point along the city wall. The city wall surrounding the city, which started at the seaside, was built from the 9th century until the 18th century. It is about five kilometers long, 20 meters high and 10 meters wide.

Looking along the hillside, there are towering fortresses at every interval. From the highest peak of the fortress, you can overlook the ancient city. Rows of orange-red roofs and golden church spires shine in the sun. , the blue water of the Bay of Kotor flows into the distance.

Historically, this small town has been torn by wars. There have been devastating earthquakes and Kala-azar that spread throughout the city. Many families have perished since then. But time and time again, the people of Kotor have rebuilt their homes on the ruins.

On the city gate dating back more than 500 years, there are rubbings of Tito's famous words when he rescued Kotor from the Nazis during World War II, "What belongs to others we don't want, what is ours we will never surrender". (We will never take what is not ours, but we will never give up what is ours).