Strolling through Beautiful Castles Montenegro

Bujovic Palace is located in the town of Perast. It is one of the finest architectural examples of the Renaissance era. The palace was built by Italian Giovanni Battista Fontana. The main facade of the place is home to a museum. Bujovic Palace has five balconies built in the Baroque style. The city museum displays exhibits that include portraits of famous seamen from Perast and arms, among other items, unique to this town.

Castle of San Giovanni is also referred to as St. John’s Castle. It sits high up on the hills of the same name. Byzantine Emperor Justinian I built the castle. It is protected by the municipality of Kotor as well as the Old Town of Kotor. The Castle of San Giovanni is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is under the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. 1,350 steps will take you to the top for awesome views.

Grubonja Palace (pictured above) is located in the Old Town of Kotor. It belongs to the noble family of Grubonja. On the windows of the first floor of the palace, you can see a stone slab with the monogram of Christ on it. Below it is the image of a skull and crossbones, with snakes intersecting through the skull with a mouse, rat, and turtle hovering under the skull. This is said to be the emblem of the pharmacy in the old town. The northern part of the palace leads to the entrance to the upper part of the fortress. An arch, with a medallion, within which there is a winged lion of Saint Mark, forming the entrance.

King Nikolas’ Palace is located in the town of Bar and was once the residence of the first sovereign king of the country, Nikolas I Mirkov Petrovich-Nyegosh. The palace sits by the sea and has a chapel and a winter garden. The palace is home to a museum with exhibits from the Turkish era, old furniture, national dress, and royal yacht memorabilia that has been salvaged from the seabed. There is a room in the palace that is dedicated to the process of making olive oil, which is one of the things Montenegro is famous for. King Nikolas’ Palace is home to the Zavicajni Muzej Niksica, the County Museum of Niksic, and the Gradska Biblioteka, the City Library. The museum has archaeological, ethnological, and historical collections. There is an art gallery on the ground floor.

Lastavica Fortress sits on Mamula Island. Austro-Hungarians built it in the 19th century. During WWII it was used as a prison. The fortress guards the entrance to the Bay of Kotor.

Pandurica Castle ruins are located in the town of Niksic and are a cultural monument. The castle was built by Stracimir Balsic, Lord of the Zeta principality. At this time restoration works are underway.

Zabljak Crnojevica Castle is located in a fortified town 15 km from the capital of Podgorica. There is an impressive courtyard. The views from the castle are amazing, overlooking Skadar Lake. The fortress is at the confluence of the Moraca River in Skadar Lake. Žabljak Crnojevića lies on the edge of Lake Skadar National Park. Visitors can wander between the stone houses and explore the ruins of the fortress and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Lake Skadar National Park is situated on the border between Montenegro and Albania. It is popular for birdwatching, hiking, and boating.

Zmajevic Palace is located in the seaport of Perast in the Gulf of Kotor. The palace is often referred to as the Bishopric since it was a residence for two bishops, Andrija and Vicko Zmajevic. The palace has an impressive octagon-shaped bell tower and a chapel dedicated to the Lady of the Rosary. Onsite is a statue of Andrija Zmajavec. Zmajevic Palace was built on a rock and can be reached by boat. It is home to a museum.