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Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Day 8: Dubrovnik (Day2) - Kotor, Montenegro

Mount Srd

Lokrum Island
Famous for its free-roaming peacocks, Lokrum Island is also home to the historic 11th-century Benedictine monastery. Additionally, the island served as the stunning backdrop for the fictional city of Qarth in Game of Thrones.

Fort Lovrijenac
The legendary Fort Lovrijenac, also known as the 'Gibraltar of Dubrovnik.' This iconic fortress doubled as King's Landing in Game of Thrones.

Dubrovnik's steep stairs are both a challenge and a charm! Winding through the old town’s narrow streets, these staircases are an iconic part of the city's layout, offering glimpses of hidden courtyards, cozy cafes, and stunning views as you climb. They’re not for the faint of heart, though—be ready for a leg workout! But every step is worth it to experience the magic of this historic city.


The City Walls
Take note of the multipurpose court on the left of the photo. Our tour guide mentioned that she attended school here. Seeing it nestled within the historic walls of Dubrovnik is fascinating. It’s a vivid reminder of how life continues to thrive in these centuries-old surroundings.

It’s incredible to witness how the historical and modern coexist within Dubrovnik’s ancient walls. This blend of history and contemporary life—where children study and play in the shadows of stone fortifications that have stood for centuries—illustrates the resilience and adaptability of the city's residents. It also highlights how living heritage isn’t just about preserving the past but actively integrating it into the present.
The walls of Dubrovnik, which represent one of the most significant medieval fortification systems in Europe, were continuously developed and modernized until 1660. This includes the completion of the Bastion of St. Stephen on the southern side. These walls span approximately 1,940 meters in length and feature numerous defensive structures, including 16 towers, three fortresses, and six bastions.

The walls vary in thickness depending on their location: on the landward side, they are between 4 and 6 meters thick, while on the seaward side, they range from 1.5 to 3 meters. Some sections reach up to 25 meters in height. Other notable elements include moats, flank fortresses, breakwaters, and drawbridges, which helped the city maintain its defenses against various threats throughout history​.

View of the main street, Stradun (Placa) below from the City Walls
Chinese Lunch @ Dubrovnik


KOTOR, MONTENEGRO

The Arms Square
The square got its name because it was where weapons were repaired and stored during the Venetian Republic's rule. Soldiers would gather here to equip themselves before defending the city.



There's something magical about the cobbled stones and narrow alleyways of Kotor Old Town. As you walk through them, you can almost feel the history beneath your feet, each stone worn smooth by centuries of footsteps.
 The winding alleys, with their timeless charm, seem to lead you into hidden corners of the past. It is as if you're stepping into a storybook, where every turn brings a new discovery—whether it’s a quiet courtyard, a centuries-old door, or a small café tucked away from the bustle. 

Perched on the slopes of St. John’s Hill (also known as San Giovanni Hill) high above the charming town of Kotor is the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Remedy.
A popular pilgrimage site, the church is accessed by a steep, winding pathway of around 650 steps that lead from the town below to the church. An altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, revered here as a protector against plagues and illness. In fact, the church was built by locals in gratitude after Kotor survived an outbreak of the plague.

St. Nicholas Church Dome and the massive walls of Bastion Riva, part of Kotor's Old Town fortifications, near the river Shkurda.

The ancient walls at night


I noticed a prevalence of cat-themed souvenirs in Kotor. According to our tour guide, Kotor has a long history with cats. Hundreds of years ago, when Kotor was an important trading port, cats would often wander off ships and get left behind. Over time, these cats became a beloved part of the town's culture.
One notable figure in Kotor is Danijela, who runs Danijela's Cat Shop. She and her family have been caring for the local cat population for generations, providing food and medical care. Her shop offers a variety of cat-themed souvenirs, from postcards and magnets to clothing and artwork. The souvenirs help support the cats and raise awareness about their care. So, the ubiquitous cat-themed souvenirs in Kotor are a nod to the town's feline history and the ongoing efforts to care for its stray cats 🐱

As we wrapped up our walking tour of Kotor and headed toward our coach, we passed by this massive cruise ship. Earlier in the day, the town was startled by a deep, resonant horn blast—it turns out this was the source! Seeing it up close was impressive, especially after it left such a booming impression on the entire town. With the promise of more adventures awaiting us tomorrow, we bid a quiet goodnight to Kotor, its ancient walls, and its shimmering waters. Until morning, when we’d return to explore its charm once more.
My Corner of the World

60 comments:

  1. You really had a wonderful time there!

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  2. What a great series of photos of Dubrovnik and Kotor.
    Great to climb those steep stairs and then enjoy the beautiful view.
    The food looks delicious again.
    Greetings Irma

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  3. You have taken so many beautiful photos, Veronica! The walls are amazing, and they have lasted for a very long time. Imagine if those walls could talk!

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  4. What a nice places, thanks for your sharing

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  5. An ancient city filled with wonderful experiences.

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  6. Oh wow; what amazing views. Your photos are all so pretty. It looks like such a fun little town to explore. I love all the alleyways and cats but those stairs do look like quite a workout.

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  7. You took some beautiful photos! You surely had a great time there.

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  8. Wow - such a beautiful place! Your photos are gorgeous, both seeing it from afar, and close up in the streets.

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  9. I think I would get along well in Kotor with all those cats. I certainly would have done my share for the local economy with my shopping! I do love all the narrow streets you've shared and those magnificent walls. The blue is so amazingly -- well, blue! What a marvelous post!

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  10. So interesting about the cats being an integral part of Kotor. I cannot get over the beauty of these places you got to visit, Veronica - old and new side by side - absolutely enchanting! Blessings!

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  11. Wonderful tour! And Chinese food too.

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  12. Tolle Fotos hast Du von dieser ehrwürdigen, alten Stadt gemacht, Veronica. Ich mag diese engen Gassen, die historischen Bauten und mir ist, als wäre ich mit durch diese schöne Stadt geschlendert. Gut getan hat mir auch der blaue Himmel und das Sonnenlicht, das momentan hier in Ostfriesland nicht so angesagt ist. Der Januar ist ein langer, kalter Monat.
    Liebe Drosselgartengrüße von Traudi.💗

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  13. Oh wow. What an amazing place to explore. Sadly, where I live people have only been building structures for maybe 100 years. I envy places with such history.

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  14. Montenegro is a scenic gem. Absolutely worth seeing, the photos are great.
    Thanks for showing.

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  15. your trip looks wonderful and your photos are quite impressive. I especially like the ancient walls at night. Beautiful

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  16. That fort is so cool and everything looks so pretty. Of course I love seeing all the kitties and learning how they came to be there.

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  17. Me gustaría conocer ese bello lugar. Te mando un beso.

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  18. Great photos. So many beautiful sights. I do love history and architecture and walking the old streets of ancient cities. You have a knack for relaying your travels and imparting the significance of towns and their surroundings. i think Montenegro is on our radar. My husband tends to book our travel according to what's available as a non-stop flight through Jazeera Airways. :)

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  19. Gorgeous landscapes and wonder architecture and what wonderful alley ways. The food does look good as well. What a lovely place and photos.

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  20. What a lovely description of Lokrum Island and Dubrovnik! The peacocks must add such a charming touch to the atmosphere, and I can just imagine how the island’s beauty brought Qarth to life in Game of Thrones. The stairs of Dubrovnik sound both challenging and rewarding—what a great way to explore hidden gems while soaking in those stunning views. It’s clear every step takes you deeper into the city’s history and magic. Wishing you a weekend full of adventure and discovery!

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  21. Another collection of beautiful photos. The narrow cobblestone streets, the immense city walls, and the views over the water are all so appealing. I love visiting places with history.

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  22. Hello Veronica,
    What a charming city to visit. The architecture is beautiful, the alleys and narrow streets, the views of the coast and the church up on the hillside. The cat and the souvenirs are cute. I am sure the food was delicious too. A great trip report and lovely collection of photos. Thank you so much for your critter post and sharing your link. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  23. Thankyou so much for this continuing tour. So many fascinating and historic place. I love the old town and lane ways and things to be discovered. Thankyou for taking me there. Happy travels and thankyou for visiting my blog this past week.

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  24. Such a gorgeous pace. Beautiful images you captured!

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  25. the architectures look so excellent....
    great captures

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  26. That looks like an amazing trip. Loved the pictures.

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  27. An incredibly beautiful city, bubbling over with a rich history and amazing architecture!

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  28. Liebe Veronica, was für spektakuläre Ausblicke ich heute hier sehen durfte. So toll!! Die Gassen und Treppen samt Stadtmauer sind schon beeindruckend. Ich bin wirklich begeistert und würde am liebsten gleich dorthin reisen. Auch in Montenegro war ich noch nie. Ich mag solche Orte die so eine lange Geschichte haben und es viel zu erzählen gibt.

    Liebe Grüße
    Kerstin und Helga

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  29. Montenegro really looks wonderful. Your captured so many great places. I would love to visit this part of the world one day. You should a video one day of your travels.

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  30. What an adventure! Beautiful streets, architecture, delicious looking food. Climbing those stairs looks incredible but offers beautiful and stunning views. Great photos, Veronica and thanks for sharing.

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  31. Hello my dear Verónica, I'm back to work on the blog.
    I hope all is well with you, I see you're still showing us photos and stories of your travels. Drubronik is simply breath-takingly beautiful with so many stairs to climb ehehhe!!! I loved the stories and I realise why this city inspired the War of Thrones. I also loved the part where you say that the people who live among this fortress are an integral part of a rich past and heritage that continues to be used in modern times like that school.Kotor is equally captivating and I loved the protection they do for the kittens, I also feed street cats! Thank you for this post!

    I wish you a happy Sunday! Kisses and hugs!

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  32. Dubrovnik truly sounds like a place of history and hidden beauty, with those steep stairs leading to stunning views and captivating corners of the city. The walls must be impressive to see up close, considering their size and significance in the city’s history. I can only imagine how rewarding it must be to explore such a rich part of the world, where every step feels like a journey through time!

    I invite you to read my new blog post: melodyjacob.com. Have a lovely week ahead.

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  33. Oh the beauty of endless steps and winding staircases ... until it's your very own feet that have to carry you up and down! Beautiful snapshots, Veronica.

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  34. Another fabulous travelogue, Veronica! We took a similar tour in 2018, but I didn't know about Danijela. That's wonderful! Loved all the photos and the memories they brought back. ♥

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  35. Sounds like a beautiful place to visit. Thanks for sharing your journey.

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  36. I would love to ride that tram! I would like to try some of that food as well, but would need someone like you to guide me, I do not think I could do it on my own.

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  37. Absolutely stunning. I’d love to visit.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  38. Thank you for your many photos and explanations. It's fantastic. Great trip.
    I think I will visit Dubrovnik too.
    Hug

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  39. Your photos are wonderful! You certainly saw some beautiful sites. I hope to travel to Dubrovnik one day.

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  40. I love the magestic views you captured from the sky tram. Montenegro is absolutely stunning, I definitely want to visit someday!

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  41. I loved getting to know you,
    the pictures are beautiful, a lovely trip.
    Have a good week.

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  42. Wonderful pictures and commentary. So much history.
    I love the narrow streets and the impressive walls. I can't imagine climbing up those steep steps though.
    Does anyone live on Locrum Island or is it just the monastery and the peacocks?
    Interesting info about the cats.
    I miss your little mice.
    Thanks for the virtual tour. I really enjoyed it.

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  43. Beautiful photos!

    The history behind the cat-themed souvenirs was interesting.

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  44. Oh wow. That view is incredible. The water the perfect shade of blue. Lovely pictures.

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  45. Thank you for the marvelous virtual tour!

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  46. Veronica Lee, the views of the water and the city walls were so impressive and amazingly beautiful. There is so much history in Dubrovnik and I appreciated that you have shared some. The number of stairs would not be a favorite, but as you said, the views were well worth the effort required even if were you and your tour group, and not myself making the trek. The part that cats have played in the city's history was quite interesting as well.

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  47. Montenegro is one of those places I know little about - I know a few names of cities but that's it. It was in a James Bond (and maybe also Inception or Tenet?) so it was lovely to see it in a bit of detail....and what charming photos! #MCoW

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  48. Love the photos looking down at the island from above, such a nice perspective. There is a lot of opportunity for good exercise with all the stair climbing too.

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  49. I thought it was Turkey 🇹🇷 that had history of cats. You learn something new everyday. Amazing photos by the way.

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  50. ...Veronica, I look your views from the top of the world.

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  51. What fabulous views. Wow. I trip of a lifetime.

    I so love the food. You know how I love the food. It looks so delicious.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

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  52. Incredible photos in your post. Thank you for all the details related
    to this trip, dear Veronica!
    Happy WW and a fine week!❤️😘

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  53. Oh my!!
    What a charming city! And the views from the gondola look splendid too! I'm sure it was a great experience.

    And well said! (It also highlights how living heritage isn’t just about preserving the past but actively integrating it into the present.) It's such a lovely thought, Veronica. :)

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  54. I'd love to visit here. Well done! You really captured the city. So much to see. Jealous!

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  55. How wonderful it is to see different parts of the world, and such yummy food! Thank you for sharing Veronica, it's fun traveling with you :) Have a wonderful week!

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  56. ...thanks again for taking me along to see the sights, be well.

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