Risan is the oldest city in Boka Kotorska. It is located at the northern point of the bay. The most important tourist attraction in Risan are: Roman mosaics from the third century BC, magnificent monastery Banja, church of St. George and church of St. Peter and Paul where incredible frescoes are exhibited. On the hill Gradina, above Risan, visitors may find remains of the old Illyrian castle. It is known that the Illyrian Queen Teuta ruled from Risan. Many legends and mysteries are related to this fearless queen.
Banja Monastery is located at the very end of Risan, in the shade of cypress trees, on the way to Perast. The monastery belongs to the Metropolitanate of the Montenegrin-Littoral, Serbian Orthodox Church. The monastery was built in the 12th century by the ruler Stefan Nemanja. In the Monastery there is a small church dedicated to St. George, whose holy relics can still be found today, silvered and gilded with an inscription. In 1654, the Turks demolished the original church built by Stefan Nemanja, whose remains are still visible today.
The Orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul dates back to the seventeenth century and was built by great contributions from the inhabitants of Risan. In the church, as well as in Banja Monastery, there are numerous icons from the seventeenth century - work of an iconographic painting school from Risan. The most famous icons displayed in the church are the icon of Jesus Christ, the Icon of the Virgin with Christ and the Archangels, the icon of St. John the Baptist with St. Sava, the icons of St. Nicholas and St. George, etc.
Gabela Street is the oldest street in Risan, dating back to the 12th century, while some parts of it were built later during the Turkish occupation. The street stretches as far as 3 kilometers "up the hill" from the coast, ie from the main square in Risan, where there is a local market. Along the street, which is very well preserved, there are old stone houses, constructed in typical style for cities in Boka Kotorska Bay.
Risan’s waterfront is the main promenade in Risan, adorned with old palm trees. The promenade is also adorned with old green benches, a small harbor where the locals spend most of their free time walking by the sea. Interesting facts: Above Risan is the village called Crkvice, on Mount Orjen, known as one of the rainiest places in Europe, which determines a large amount of rainfall in Risan. Also, when a strong and cold Bura wind blows in Boka, locals call it the Risan’s Bura because it blows from Risan and is considered the coldest wind.
Ivelic Palace is the only baroque palace in Risan that belonged to an old captain's family Ivelic, from Risan. The palace was built in the seventeenth century. The villa consisted of a ground floor with "taverns", the first floor called "piano nobile", the second floor reserved for the apartment and an attic that served as a kitchen. First, the central part of the palace was built, with a baroque balcony with two doors on the first floor. Two lateral wings and an external staircase were later added, while a defensive system was built around the building.
