Church of Saint Luke in Kotor, Eastern Orthodox church building in Kotor, Montenegro
The Church of Saint Luke is a Byzantine structure with a central dome, thick stone walls, and minimal window openings on its exterior. Paired arched windows sit above the western entrance, marking the main way in.
The structure was built in 1195 and later took on a dual religious purpose. From 1657 to 1812, it housed both Catholic and Orthodox altars, before becoming exclusively Orthodox at the start of the 19th century.
The interior holds two painted iconostases, one from the 17th century in the main church and another from the 18th century in Saint Spiridon chapel. These artworks reveal how different religious traditions shared this space over centuries.
The church sits on Saint Luke Square in the northeast corner of Kotor's Old Town and is easy to reach on foot. It welcomes visitors during regular hours, especially when services are not taking place.
The building survived four major earthquakes that struck the city since 1563 without damage, making it the only church in Kotor with this remarkable record. This structural resilience quietly demonstrates the strength of medieval construction methods.
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