Herceg Novi Old Town

Herceg Novi Old Town is the historic core at the western entrance to the Bay of Kotor, founded in 1382 by King Tvrtko I as a trading fortress. Its layered fabric shows Ottoman, Venetian, Spanish and Austro-Hungarian phases.

• Founded 1382 as “Sveti Stefan”/Novi – a salt-trade port rival to Dubrovnik.
• Fort belt – seaside Forte Mare, hill-top Kanli Kula, and Španjola (Upper Town) on Bajer hill.
• Two faiths in the centre – Orthodox Church of St Archangel Michael on Belavista and Catholic St Jerome on Trg Mića Pavlovića.
• Amphitheatre terrain – stepped lanes and stairways with bay views.
• Living culture – summer festivals at Kanli Kula; exhibits and viewpoints at Forte Mare.

• Forte Mare – sea fortress with passages and terraces above the promenade.
• Kanli Kula – upper fortress turned open-air theatre with sweeping vistas.
• Španjola – outer hilltop citadel around 170 m above sea level.
• Belavista Square with St Archangel Michael and palm-lined stonework.
• St Jerome’s Square with the baroque Catholic church.

Laid out in 1382 by Tvrtko I as a new salt port; the early name “Sveti Stefan” soon yielded to Novi/Castelnuovo. Under the Kosačas the town gained today’s name “Herceg Novi” as their winter seat.

From 1482 to 1687 it was an Ottoman stronghold (Kanli Kula built); from 1687 to 1797 it belonged to Venice’s Albania Veneta (Forte Mare reinforced), followed by a brief Spanish phase and Austrian modernisations.

In the 19th–20th centuries the forts lost military roles: since 1966 Kanli Kula serves as a summer amphitheatre, while Forte Mare is adapted for exhibits and promenade views.

Location: municipal centre of Herceg Novi, terraced above the seafront and marina.
Getting there: buses/taxis to Herceg Novi bus station; 10–20 min on foot down to the Old Town; by car use upper or lower car parks.
Access: historic core is largely pedestrian; Forte Mare and Kanli Kula have paid, seasonal entry. Expect many steps and slopes.
Visiting hours: year-round; interiors of forts follow seasonal hours.
Visit duration: 1.5–3 hours for a loop of streets and fortresses; add up to half a day if hiking to Španjola.
Best time: summer mornings/evenings and shoulder seasons for milder weather and light; summer shows at Kanli Kula.
Notes: sturdy shoes; in heat bring water and sun protection; occasional closures or works at the forts are possible.