Church of St. Luke
Crkva Svetog Luke
A small church with frescoes and a layered past.
Built in 1195. The interior preserves traces of Byzantine tradition and later additions. The space is intimate and calm.
How to Get There
On foot from Kotor center ~2-3 min.
From TIV airport (Tivat) by taxi/transfer ~14 min.
From TGD airport (Podgorica) by taxi/transfer ~60 min.
Description
What this place is
The Church of Saint Luke is an Orthodox church in Kotor’s Old Town, located on St. Luke’s Square. Built in the late 12th century, it is one of the oldest churches in the city.
Key features
- Founded in 1195 under the Nemanjić dynasty.
- Built by benefactors Mauro Cazzafrango and his wife Bona.
- Combines Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles.
- Known as the “church with two altars” for serving both Orthodox and Catholic rites.
- Its floor is made from 17 tomb slabs.
What to see
- 17th-century iconostasis by Dimitrije Daskal
- Chapel of Saint Spyridon, added in the 18th century
- Surviving fresco fragments from the 12th century
History
The Church of Saint Luke was built in 1195 as an Orthodox temple under the patronage of Mauro Cazzafrango and his wife. It soon became a spiritual center for the Serbian population of Kotor. Its walls were frescoed soon after construction, but only fragments remain today.
During Venetian rule, the church was converted to Catholic use, but in the mid-17th century it was returned to the Orthodox. For some time, both rites were celebrated here, giving it the name “church with two altars”. In 1768, a Venetian report referred to it explicitly as a “Serbian church”.
In the 19th century, it became part of the Diocese of Kotor, and in the 20th century was incorporated into the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral. It survived the 1979 earthquake with little damage and was later restored. Today it houses relics of Saint Luke, the Five Martyrs, and Saint Barbara.
Practical information
Location: Old Town Kotor, St. Luke’s Square.
How to get there: 5–7 minutes on foot from the Sea Gate through the main streets.
Access: open daily, free entry.
Visiting hours: generally from morning to evening.
Visit duration: 15–20 minutes.
Best time: early morning or late evening to avoid crowds.
Special conditions: regular church services are held inside.
