Castle of St. John in Kotor, Stone fortress on St. John Mountain, Kotor, Montenegro
Description
Castle of St. John is a stone fortress on a steep hillside above Kotor that spreads across multiple slopes. The structure is surrounded by thick walls that protect the mountain sides.
History
The fortress was originally built in the 6th century under Byzantine rule to protect the bay. Later changes under Venetian control strengthened its defensive power.
Culture
The fortress shows building styles from different rulers who controlled Kotor and left their own construction methods behind. As you climb, you notice how the building techniques changed over different periods.
Practical
The climb to the castle is steep and requires good fitness and sturdy shoes. It makes sense to visit in early morning hours to avoid heat and allow time for the full ascent and descent.
Did you know?
From above, you get a wide view across the entire Kotor Bay and surrounding mountains. This outlook shows why the location was so strategically important for centuries.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Kotor Municipality).
Fortifications of Kotor
437 m
Mausoleum of Njegoš
5.7 km
Risan
12.2 km
Vrmac Fortress
2.1 km
Kotor Cathedral
371 m
Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor
960 m
National Library of Montenegro "Djurdje Crnojevic"
12 km
Lovćen National Park
9.8 km
Church of Saint Luke in Kotor
479 m
Church of Our Lady of Remedy
960 m
Plavi horizonti
8.5 km
Stanjevići Monastery
10.7 km
Serbian Orthodox church of St Nicolas in Kotor
516 m
Verige Bridge
9.5 km
Fort Gorazda
3.1 km
Maritime Museum of Montenegro in Kotor
430 m
Manastir Banja
11.1 km
Fort of St John
19 m
Saint Nicholas church
9.5 km
Our Lady of the Rocks church
10.1 km
Stirovnik
4.4 km
Old Town Road
194 m
Saint Mark church in Perast
9.6 km
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
9.7 km
Kościół św. Jana Chrzciciela w Peraście
9.8 km
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox church in Risan
12.1 km
Santa María de la Salud
485 m
Viewpoint
6.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes