HERCEG NOVI BAY

by Flavia Brilli

Entrance to Herceg Novi Bay; the first Bay of Kotor Bay. Photograph By Flavia Brilli.

ROSE

Situated at the tip of the Lustica Peninsula, at the entrance of Herceg Novi Bay, is the charming village of Rose. One of the oldest fishing villages on Herceg Novi Bay, it was once a quarantine center for seamen. Today, thanks to its beautiful location and outstanding views, it remains one of the Bay's most romantic destinations.

From Rose's quayside, you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Herceg Novi's Bay and watch the sun close on Orjen mountain.

NJIVICE

Located at the entrance of Herceg Novi bay, with beautiful views of Herceg Novi Town and Mount Orjen, sits Njivice. The unique microclimate of this quiet and isolated village has resulted in a diverse and exotic vegetation which includes fruits like Kiwi, Banana, Jujube and Japanese Medlar.

SAVINA

Hugged by lush, green Mediterranean vegetation overlooking the beautiful Bay of Herceg Novi sits Savina Monastery. It consists of three churches: the Church of Assumption, built around 1648; the Great Temple of Assumption, built between 1777 and 1799; and, the Church of St Sava, built in the 15th century.

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TIVAT BAY

by Flavia Brilli

Continuing onwards along Herceg Novi's coastline beyond the Kumbor Strait you enter the second bay of Kotor Bay called Tivat Bay. Dotted along its shoreline are the villages of Baosici, Kumbor, and Djenovici. From these quiet villages you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Tivat Bay which include the iconic Lovcen Mountain, Tivat town and Krascici village.

DJENOVICI

First mentioned in writing by the Venetian Republic as Gionoevich; the name originates from the local surname of Djonovic. However, beneath the waters of Djenovici lies fragments of its earliest beginnings when in ancient Greek and Roman times it was an old Greek colony called Stoli or Stolium. Following a devastating earthquake this ancient colony was sunk in the sea. And, today, in  the lapidarian museum in Kotor, you can view the marble head of Roman Emperoror Domitian found by archeologists in Djenovici's shallow waters. Evidence of Djenovici's ancient beginnings.

BAOSICI

With its sweeping views of Tivat Bay, this tiny coastal village is both rich in architecture and history. Today, the origins of its name remain disputed: some believing it to honor Montenegro’s ruling family, Balšić; others believing it was named after their local hero Balše Cvjetkovića who liberated the village from the Turks in 1590.

Home to beautiful architecture dating back hundreds of years. It also has a rich history in literature. During the French Occupation in 1881, poet and officer Pier Loti wrote his novel The Diary about a local girl, Paskvala Ivanović, whom he had fallen hopelessly in love with. Later, in Rare Flower, he built a literary portrait of the young woman. In 1934, the Association of Friends of France unveiled a permanent panel commemorating the author.

KUMBOR

First mentioned in Venetian documents in 1785 as Combor, this peaceful village offers idyllic views of Herceg Novi's Bay and sea entrance. Populated with rare Mediterranean trees and plants such as pine, palm and Eucalyptus, it is also home to a Catholic Church whose icons were painted by one of the most talented painters from Kotor Bay: Tripo Kokolja of Perast. 

Sunset at Kumbor with an empty fishing boat, Kotor Bay, Montenegro by Flavia Brilli

All images and words Copyright © 2014. Flavia Brilli. 

All rights reserved.

All images on this website may be purchased through this blogs PRINTS FOR SALE page

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ALAMY and SHUTTERSTOCK 

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PERAST

Perast lies at the foot of St. Ilya Hill which separates the Risan Bay from the Bay of Kotor. Since it has both feet in each Bay, and because of its popularity and cultural significance, I have given this town which began life as a village, its own page.

Perast

Once a sleepy fishermen's village, the Perast of today is a fully-fledged town of great cultural significance and a UNESCO heritage site. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, when Kotor Bay was shared by both the Ottoman Empire and the Venetian Republic, Perast's position on the border of these two opponents greatly increased its status. 

Those inhabitants of Perast who protected Venetian territory were awarded many special privileges by the Venetian Republic: the most important being tax-free trading on all Venetian markets. As a result, many citizens became extremely wealthy and were able to invest large sums of monies in magnificent palaces and churches. Today, despite its diminutive size, the town has sixteen Baroque palaces, seventeen Catholic churches, and two Orthodox churches. 

Our Lady of the Rocks

The undisputed jewel of Perast's historic churches is the Roman Catholic church Our Lady of the Rocks. Set against a backdrop of brooding Wagnerian karst mountains that plunge into the bay like mammoths of prehistory, this beautiful ancient church floats dreamlike on Kotor Bay's still waters. This enchanting islet, according to legend, was created over centuries by seamen who after discovering the icon of the Madonna and Child on the rock in 1452 swore an ancient oath. Returning from their voyages, each seaman in respect of the ancient oath, threw a rock into the bay which gradually evolved into the islet that we see today. 

St George Island

Solitary, mysterious and inaccessible, this ancient island, also known as the 'Island of the Dead', sits afloat on Kotor Bay with the iconic Perast town and Lovcen Mountain in the distance as company. Once home to the temple of St George, from which it gets its namesake, there now sits a charming simple stone church which houses the paintings of the Montenegrin artist Lovro Marinov Dobrichevich and his contemporaries. 

But behind this simple facade and dreamy site lies a tragic tale: a young soldier involved in a battle on the island, fired his gun towards the town of Perast and accidentally shot his girlfriend. Unable to live with the consequences of his actions he then died himself.

All images and words Copyright © 2014. Flavia Brilli.

All rights reserved

All images on this website may be purchased through this blogs 
PRINTS FOR SALE page or via my stock photography 
websites below.

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RISAN BAY

by Flavia Brilli

View from Strp looking across Risan Bay; the third Bay of Kotor Bay. Photograph By Flavia Brilli.

MORINJ

Tucked away in the first bend of Risan bay, the pretty fishing village of Morinj (Морињ) sits serenely, hugged by lush green mountains which trickle down to meet the sea.  Above its sheltered shoreline, sparkles the silver dome of St Petka Church (Crkva Sv Petke) And down below, the panoramic vista affords mesmerising views of the bay's  iconic Lovcen Mountain and Perast's floating Island churches. 

Picturesque Morinj village, Kotor Bay, Montenegro by Flavia Brilli

KOSTANJICA

Between the Verige Strait (the narrowest point of Kotor Bay) and Morinj village lies the small coastal village Kostanjica.  Home to only a handful of inhabitants, its famed for its forest of Chestnut trees which cover the Jeremiah hillside (Jeremijino brdo)  above, and which descends all the way to the village's shoreline. Though almost uninhabitable in the winter, due to its sheltered North facing position, in summer its location affords exquisite views of Perast town, Lady of the Rocks, St George island and Risan town.

View from Kostanjica looking towards Risan town

Strp

A peaceful fishing village of only 12 families, positioned opposite the Verige Strait, Strp is popular for its glorious view of the bay and its archaelogical site with discoveries from the 4th and 7th centuries.

Views above and below, from the village of Strp looking towards Perast, Lovcen Mountain and Risan by Flavia Brilli

St George Island

Solitary, mysterious and inaccessible, this ancient island, also known as the 'Island of the Dead', sits afloat on Kotor Bay with the iconic Perast town and Lovcen Mountain in the distance as company. Once home to the temple of St George, from which it gets its namesake, there now sits a charming simple stone church that houses the paintings of the Montenegrin artist Lovro Marinov Dobrichevich and his contemporaries. But behind this simple facade and dreamy sight lies a tragic tale: a young soldier involved in a battle on the island, fired his gun towards the town of Perast and accidentally shot his girlfriend. Unable to live with the consequences of his actions he then died himself.

The Island of St George with the Iconic Mount Lovcen and Perast village by Flavia Brilli

All images and words Copyright © 2014. Flavia Brilli.

All rights reserved.

All images on this website may be purchased through this blogs PRINTS FOR SALE page

or my

ALAMY and SHUTTERSTOCK portfolio. Links below:

My PRINTS FOR SALE page allows you to purchase ECARDS, PRINTS and CANVASES directly from this blog and includes delivery to your destination.

Stock photography by Flavia Brilli at Alamy

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KOTOR BAY

by Flavia Brilli

ORAHOVAC

Nestled deep within the bay of Kotor, just 10 kilometers from the historic town of Kotor, sits the small and idyllic village of Orahovac. Today a sleepy tourist village its past reveals a very different image when in the 19th century over thirty sailing merchant ships were once moored  in the village's harbour. The legacy of its grand past can be seen today in the beautiful stone palaces once owned by the sea captains of these merchant ships.

LJUTA

Continuing along the coastal road to Kotor and neighbour to Orahovac is the village Ljuta. Named after the river Ljuta, this peaceful and charming village continues the architectural tradition of Orahovac with grand sea captain palaces and baroque churches.

The baroque church St Peter, Ljuta, Kotor Bay

 During the rainy season, its namesake which starts life as a short stream flowing into the sea, becomes a forceful and dynamic display of whitewater fury.  

Ljuta waterfront.

DOBROTA

Stretching north for several kilometers from the historical town of Kotor to the village of Ljuta is the beautiful settlement of Dubrota.

Dubrota waterfront, Kotor Bay. 

View of Dubrota settlement. 

First mentioned as Dabratum about 750 years ago, its current name appeared when it became part of Kotor's ancient suburb. Between the 17^th and 19^th century as a consequence of the large marina and the many ships it attracted, Dobrota's status and prosperity grew. Wealthy captains built beautiful extravagant baroque palaces which they filled with precious furniture, paintings and books. Today, dotted along Dobrota's shoreline a handful of these famous palaces gaze out towards Kotor Bay: some meticulously renovated by their current owners; others abandoned and decaying.

DOBROTA PALACES

The Tripković Palace

Ivanović-Chetković Palace

Ivanovic Palace

Tripković-Dabinoviċ-Avramov

Close up of Gold door knocker on Tripković-Dabinoviċ-Avramov Palace

The Dabinovic Palace

Severely damaged by the 1979 earthquake, this once grand palace has since been abandoned

Views from Dobrota 

MUO

PRCANJ

DONJI STOLIV

Dotted along the shoreline of Kotor Bay, at the foot of the Vrmac mountain are the soulful, quiet villages of Muo, Prcanj and Stoliv. Muo a small Bokelian Fishermen's village is the oldest of the settlements; Prcanj is noted for its long line of elegant villas and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin church; Stoliv is noted for its abundance of herbs used for the treatment of lung diseases.

CHURCH 

Gospa od Anđela (Our Lady of the Angels)-Verige

Views from the foot of Vrmac Mountain

All images and words Copyright © 2014. Flavia Brilli.

All rights reserved.

All images on this website may be purchased through this blog's PRINTS FOR SALE page

or my

ALAMY and SHUTTERSTOCK portfolio. Links below:

Stock photography by Flavia Brilli at Alamy

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.