Herceg Novi is a city made of rocks, a city of the sea, walls and towers, a city of sun and flower gardens. Herceg Novi is located at the entrance to Boka Kotorska, 51 km from Dubrovnik and 43 km from Kotor. One of the sunniest cities in the Adriatic coast, this city welcomes guests who "sail" into the Bay of Boka Kotorska.
The monasterial complex Savina is located 2km from the center of Herceg Novi, in the Savina part of town. The monastery is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture, further enhanced by the exquisite vineyards surrounding it. The complex consists of the Church of Saint Sava, designed by Simeon Foretić from Korčula, and two smaller churches, both of them dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. Although it is an Orthodox Christian church, the Church of Saint Sava, with the shape of its bell-towers reminds one somewhat of Venetian architecture style.
The Clock Tower, situated in the historical as well as the urban center of Herceg Novi, is one of the symbols of the town. It was erected in 1667 under the order of Sultan Mahmud, still showing the correct time for more than 300 years. During the Ottoman rule, when there was a mosque next to the Tower, the clock marked when the time came for the Muslims of the town to pray, but the tower also served as a city gate, and one had to pass through it to reach another part of town. Today, this historical monument separates the pedestrian Njegoševa Street from the Belavista square.
The name Belavista (Bellavista), which translates to “beautiful view”, perfectly captures what awaits all who decide to visit this site. Another lesser known name of this square is the Herceg Stjepan Square, but everyone seems to prefer the former. The square is located in the historical part of town, and is separated from the main Nikola Đurković Square by the Clock Tower. This square, as well as the wonderful view it offers, are reached from the main square by climbing the steps of the passageway under the Clock Tower.
Located above the historical center of the town, just next to the highway, this fortress is impossible to miss when visiting the town. The fortress, the name of which translates from Turkish as “the bloody tower”, was named by the Turks, during whose reign it was constructed. During the Ottoman reign, the fortress served as a notorious prison, where those who fought for the liberation of Montenegro were brutally murdered. The walls of the fortress witness many a bloodshed, and its walls were easy to gain access to, but almost impossible to escape from. The tower is located 85 meters above sea level, and the width of its walls reach up to 20 meters in certain parts.
Spanish Fortress is located high above the city of Herceg Novi. The fortress overlooks the entire city, Kanli Fortress, Forte Mare, as well as a great part of the Bay of Kotor. Contrary to Kanli Fortress and Forte Mare, this fortress is not fitted to host any plays or concerts, but you can still visit it regardless of that. As it is not completely tidied up, the entry is free of charge. The fortress can be reached on foot, which can be challenging, as buses don’t travel to it, but you can still take a taxi to it, which should cost around €4.
