The oldest fortification in Montenegro, Old Bar Fortress, is located beneath Mount Rumija, on a steep cliff. The fortress tells a turbulent story of the many civilizations that once inhabited the area.
The fortress has a good defensive mechanism, which is further attributed to by its location and the drinking water that is located in the area. All of these reasons led to the city’s formation 4km away from the sea, opposing many cities on the Montenegro Riviera. The fortress holds the remains of several churches, dating back to various times, the remains of the Saint George Cathedral from the 11th century, the Gothic Church of Saint Catherine and Saint Veneranda. In addition to these, there is a gunpowder storage and the remains of a Turkish bath from when the fortress, as well as the city, were ruled over by the Turks. The fortress itself was constructed during Venetian and Turkish rule, but in the years before that as well. As its rulers changed, so did the fortress itself change. There is also a Citadel at the site, which was only used for defensive purposes. The fortress offers a wonderful view of the whole city of Bar, as well of the open sea.
A steep, cobbled street leads up to the fortress’s entrance, and the street still houses many artificer workshops, as well as stores that sell olive oil, olives and almonds even today, and there are mosques located there, too. For the visitor who would like to get a sense of the spirit of old times, there are taverns serving Turkish coffee with Turkish delights, as well as good Montenegrin wine.
Old Bar Fortress is located 4km away from the main highway, which is located at the foot of Mount Rumija.
The entrance fee costs €2.
Open hours:
The Fortress is open from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 9pm.
Author of the text:
Marijana Niković licensed tourist guide for Montenegro.
If you are interested in guided tours in English, please contact me at:
(Viber) 00382 68 230 241
