Tour guide of Kotor

High above Kotor, on St. John’s Hill, stands the San Giovanni fortress – a silent guardian watching over the bay and protecting the city for centuries. The steeply climbing walls form one of the most complex fortification systems on the Adriatic, built and expanded from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century. Although the exact date of construction is unknown, the oldest sections are found near the North Gate and the Škurd River. The ramparts were significantly reinforced in the 15th and 16th centuries, when Kotor faced constant threats from land and sea. Bastions, watchtowers, and gates were added – the North Gate in 1540, the West Gate in 1555, and the South Gate by the Gurdic Spring. At the highest point of the fortification is the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, once used by the fortress garrison . San Giovanni is more than a military relic – it is a symbol of the city’s resilience. Today, climbing its 1350 steps rewards you with breathtaking views, and every step echoes with stories of the past.