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.
In 1538, the Spanish fleet under Admiral Andrea Dori sailed into the Bay of Kotor, specifically, into the Bay of Herceg Novi. The Turks promptly surrendered the town to the Spanish, who constructed the Španjola fortress in only a year. Shortly after, in 1539, the cruel pirate Hajrudin Barbarosa conquered Herceg Novi. After this, Sultan Suleiman wanted to change the fortress’s appearance, as well as to further fortify its walls.
Today, the fortress has four big bastions, one on each corner of its walls. The Turks, who took the fortress rather than build it, were particularly proud of it. Above the entrance to the fortress, there used to be a sign written in Turkish which read: And the poets, whom the path will bring here, look at me, and exclaim enthusiastically “And great it is a beautiful building.” During the years, the fortress has changed many owners, from Venetians and the army of Napoleon, to the Austrio-Hungarians and Montenegrins. Interestingly, the fortress also served as a small town at times, even taking the name “The Upper Town”, as it contained a water source, a bakery and everything else needed to sustain a town.
Today, the fortress is abandoned, but it is exceptionally interesting to witness the remains of its history which still survive. Moreover, the view that the fortress boasts reaches both remaining fortresses in Herceg Novi, as well as the entire city. During summer, a rave music festival is held in this fortress, an entirely different setting from the expected clubs, and the entrance fees to the festival cost between €8 and €15.
Author of the text:
Marijana Niković licensed tourist guide for Montenegro.
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