Handpicked by a Montenegro Local Expert, we bring you our guide to 'Fortresses in Montenegro'.
Each part of Montenegro has a rich history of remembrance in the form of various and picturesque fortifications from the famous towers of Herceg Novi, through the fortresses of Kotor, all the way to Budva's Old Town and Ulcinj. These fortresses and fortifications represent real powerful defensive constructions, in which military garrisons stood and repulsed the constant attack of enemy troops from all sides. Here are some of the most famous and most interesting fortresses we were captivated by.
Bedem Niksic (Old Town)
The Old Town of Nikšić or Old Town of Onogošt, according to historical records was built in the 4th century as a Roman military fortress. The complete fortress is 214 meters long. It was built of stone, and the primary function of this fortress was protection from the enemy. This fortress represents something like a city within a city. Anderba, Anderva, Anagastum, Onogošt ...
Kanli Tower
Kanli Tower (Bloody Tower) is a monumental fortress in Herceg Novi which dates back from the times when Montenegro was occupied by the Ottomans. Back then, it served as a prison, so that’s how it got its name - Kanli Tower on the Turkish language means - Bloody Tower. Today it’s a most beautiful summer stage, some would say, in ex Yugoslavia. The Tower was built by the Turks after 1539,...
Fortress Citadela Budva
The Budva Citadel is ancient and beautiful, and set at the highest point of the town itself. Thought to have been built atop the Budva ancient Acropolis, the views from within the citadel are unequalled, showcasing the tremendous splendour of one of Montenegro's most celebrated locations. The Citadel was built in 1936 by the Austrian Army, in order to house the hoards of troops that were statio...
Castello Fortress
During the rule of the 16th century Venetians in Montenegro, the elaborate Castello Fortress was constructed on the coastal cliffs adjacent to the city. Back in the times when the fortress was occupied, it housed the garrison and was used to store oil and wine. Inside the Castello Fortress, visitors can become acquainted with the works of ancient art, murals, mosaics and architecture. The fortress...
Medun Fortress
The old town of Medun or Meteon is a high fortification, located 13 kilometres northeast of Podgorica. It was one of the main settlements of the Illyrian tribe, dating back to the ancient period. It was built first as a fortress, later as a city, between the 4th and 3rd century BC. This fortress was of great strategic importance as it is located on a high rocky territor...
Mamula Fortress
The fortress known as Mamula was built on a small rocky island Lastavica, which is located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, about 3.5 nautical miles from Herceg Novi. According to many experts, the fortress is still a masterpiece of military construction. The fortress, which was designed for exclusively military operations, was built by Austro-Hungary in 1853, as one of the most ...
Lesendro Fortress
Lesendro is a fortress on the island of Lesendro on Skadar Lake, built during the 19th century by the Montenegrin Bishop Petar II Petrovic Njegos. The fortress ensured unhindered fishing and trade, and according to some sources, Njegos often came here to rest, and he completed some of his works here. Lesendro was under his rule for eleven years, and after the loss of the fortress, the adag...
Kosmac Fotress
Kosmac Fortress is located 800 meters above sea level on the same-named hill above the village of Brajici near Budva. It was built between 1841-1850 by the Austrians, and the location chosen for the construction of this impressive fortress, was important from a strategic point of view because it dominates the Budva Riviera. Due to the proximity of the Montenegrin border, it had the role of...
Gorazda Fortress
One of the most attractive fortresses not only of the Austro-Hungarian Empire but also of the complete architectural heritage in this area is the fortress of Gorazda. This fortress was, with several other fortifications (Vrmac, Trojica, and Grabovac), the main military base of Austria-Hungary in the southern Adriatic. It had the main purpose of defending the side passage leading ...
Bihor Fortress
Another of the fortresses built in the Ottoman period (1450) is the fortress of Bihor. This fortress is located in the same medieval parish of Bihor, near Berane. During the Ottoman period, the fortress was used to control caravans and passengers and was equipped with cannons and grain warehouses. In addition to the Bihor fortress, there were also suburbs, according to the availa...
Fotress Grmozur
Grmozur is one of several fortifications in or around Skadar Lake, which originate from the Ottoman period. It is located in the north-western part of Skadar Lake, and colloquially it is called the Montenegrin Alcatraz or the Island of the Snakes. The fortress was built by the Ottomans in 1843. Along with Lesendro, Vranjina, and Zabljak Crnojevica, it formed a fortificati...
Fortress Besac
Besac Fortress is a cultural and historical site of exceptional importance and one of the most attractive lookouts on Skadar Lake. According to historical sources, this is one of the oldest military fortifications preserved on the territory of today's Montenegro. The Ottomans built the fortress after the fall of Donja Zeta in 1478. In the Montenegrin wars from the end of the 17th and...
Arza Fortress
Arza is a fortress built on the Luštica peninsula during the hundred-year rule of the Austro-Hungarians, in this part of the Montenegrin coast. This masterpiece of architecture is the first thing you notice, as you sail through the entrance of the spectacular Boka Bay. This fortress, together with the fortification of Mamula on the island of Luštica and the Prevlaka Fort on Cape Ostro, f...
Stari Bar
The Old Town of Bar or Stari Bar is one of the largest and the most important medieval archaeological sites in the Balkans. It is settled on the slopes of Mount Rumija where remains of almost 600 edifices prove the existence of numerous peoples who lived here. In the historical sources, the Old Town of Bar was first mentioned in the 10th century, but some evidence showed that it had existed...
Kotor Stari Grad
The Old Town of Kotor is one of the best-preserved Medieval towns in Montenegro and makes a very interesting day trip for families, couples and groups alike. The asymmetric structure of the squares and narrow streets, combined with many valuable examples of Medieval architecture, has contributed to Kotor being placed on UNESCO's cultural inheritance list. If you are planning a stay in Montenegr...
Old Town Budva
The Old Town of Budva is the trademark of Budva with a unique architectural composition. It was built on an island that was connected to the mainland by a sandy coating and thus grew into a peninsula. Historical sources indicate that Budva is one of the oldest urban centres on the Adriatic, over 2,500 years old. A recognisable attraction of the Old Town is the high wall, dating from the Mid...
