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Kotor, located on the highly indented coast of Montenegro, has a population of 16000 people. The area has been settled from at least 168BC Main area of visitor interest, the old town, is surrounded by a 5km, 20m high and 10m wide wall which snakes up St John's Hill. Commencing in the 9th century, building continued to the 19th century. |
Sauntering through the main gate I entered a maze of Venetian buildings impregnated by restaurants. The Venetians ruled Kotor from 1420 to 1797, though this period was occassionally punctuated by Ottoman rule.
Kotor has several churches, one Roman Catholic, the rest, Orthodox. I visited three.
The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, also known as Kotor Cathedral, was built in honour of Saint Tryphon. It is one of only two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro.
The Romanic cathedral was consecrated in 1166. In 1331 Greek painters completed Byzantine frescoes in the basilica. Frescoe fragments are still present today.
In 1676 the cathedral was severly damaged by an earthquake. During restoration the Roman towers were replaced by Baroque towers. The left tower is still not complete.
Inside, above the main alter, the life of Saint Tryphon is depicted in stone. Below are reliefs of other saints in gold and silver.
Saint Tryphon was a 3rd century saint who was born in Campsada, now in Turkey. During his boyhood he took care of geese.
He is venerated by both the Roman Catholic and Easter Orthodox churches. In the Eastern Orthodox Church he is also the patron Saint of wine growers and gardeners. Acquiring fame as a healer, especially of animals. Accepting no pay, he would only asked that those he helped converted to Christianity.
Tortured and beheaded in 350, by Emperor Derius in a crack down on Christians, his severed head is believed to be entombed in the cathedral.
Climbing stairs brought me to a grid, fronted by an altar. On the opposite side is the requary chapel. Its blue ceiling is decorated by yellow stars. Many of the relics are made of silver.
The cathedral was damaged again by earthquake in 1979.
The Church of St Nicholas is a Serbian Orthodox church. It was built on the site of an earlier church which burnt down on Christmas eve, 1896.
Golden crosses adorning the church's black domes are a gift from Russia.
Entering, the objects which first engaged my eyes were the silver chandlier and candle holders. Behind was the iconostatis designed by the Czech painter Frantisek Ziegler in 1908.
A common ritual in Orthodox churches is the burning of beeswax candles. It is both, a symbol of a worshipper offering themselves to God and a symbolic representation of the Light of Christ.
Near St Nicholas's Church is the small St Luka's Church. It is also known as the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Originally constructed as a Roman Catholic church in 1195, it was, from 1657 until 1812 used as a Catholic and an Orthodox church. Services were conducted on different days. Then it was gifted to the Orthodox church. The church still has a Roman Catholic altar in addition to its Orthodox altar.
History is not Kotor's only attraction. Kotor Bay's sheltered crystal clear water is wonderful for recreational activities such as swimming and boating.
Kotor is a place to which I would consider returning. However, next time I will make sure my camera batteries are fully charged when I trek to the top of the wall.