The Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor

We stayed for four days in Herceg-Novi, in Montenegro.  One day we decided to go for a drive around the Bay of Kotor.  Think Norwegian fjords, Hawaiian lush landscape, spectacular bays and crystal clear water…stunning!

We felt as if we were at a lake, because we were surrounded all around by mountains.

We felt as if we were at a lake, because we were surrounded all around by mountains.

We drove along the bay and decided to stop at the entrance of the town of Perast.

Ok, this was the view from the parking lot!!

Ok, this was the view from the public parking lot!!

We walked toward the little town of Perast, and found an area to go for a swim.

The water was clear and wonderful!

The water was clear and wonderful!

We dried off and visited the little town of Perast. It has a long and colorful past, dating back to 3500 BC with evidence of a Neolithic culture found in caves above Perast.  Other archeological finds include evidence from Roman and early Christian periods.

Perast

Perast

This little city has changed hands frequently over the centuries. It was part of the Byzantine empire in the 10th century.

Perast

It was a free city of medieval Serbia in the 1100’s.

perast

Perast enjoyed a brief time of independence between 1395 to 1420.

 

perast

It changed hands from the Venetian Republic of Venice and Hungarian control between the  1400’s and the 1700’s.

perast

Perast was under French occupation in the 1800’s until 1914.

 

perast

It was then ruled by Austria from 1914-1918. Perast became part of Yugoslavia in 1918.

 

Perast

Mussolini annexed the territories around Kotor to Italy in 1941. Perast later became part of Yugoslavia again after WWII.

Perast has been part of Montenegro since its independence in 2006. What a past this little city has!

The modern Perast has a sleepy, relaxed vibe with lots of character.  Perfect for a day trip to include a swim, a boat ride to one of the little islands, and a meal at one of the outdoor cafes!