Tivat, Montenegro (see on Montenegro map) - is known to many as a city where a tourist takes his first hesitant steps in Montenegro, which he has not yet explored, because it is here that he gets on the wings of an airplane. On this, for many, acquaintance with Tivat, unfortunately, ends. But, although Tivat is not included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, as, for example, Kotor, yet this city is worthy of your attention.
Tivat is located on the coast Bay of Kotor, on the Vrmac peninsula. Presumably, the city was founded in the III century BC. and got its name in honor of the Illyrian queen Teuta.
In the Middle Ages, the fertile, wide meadows of Tivat were used as gardens and country estates were built, which belonged to the rich inhabitants of Kotor. In the 15th century, with the establishment of the residence of the Orthodox Metropolitan Zeta on the Island of Flowers, the city became a major religious center. Later, Tivat, like the rest of the cities of the Bay of Kotor, was under the control of the Venetians for several centuries.
Now Tivat is a dynamically developing city. Even 5-7 years ago it was an ordinary inconspicuous village, where even a shop could not be found. But in recent years, Tivat began to develop actively, primarily thanks to the project Porto Montenegro. A huge embankment was rebuilt, many shops appeared, large ships began to enter the port.
Attractions
Tivat is surrounded by a beautiful park - for hundreds of years, sailors from all over the world brought exotic plants here. Opposite the city is the so-called Tivat Archipelago, consisting of three islands:
- Prevlaka Island, or the Island of Flowers. The island received this name for the abundance of Mediterranean vegetation blooming on it and beautiful olive groves. Unfortunately, due to the refugees from Bosnia who migrated here during the collapse of Yugoslavia, some vegetation was destroyed, but now everything is slowly being restored. Here are the ruins of the Benedictine monastery of St. Michael (Miholska Prevlaka), which was built during the heyday of the ancient Slavic state of Zeta.
- Saint Mark's Island. The most beautiful among the islands of the Bay of Kotor. It is covered with a dense layer of exotic vegetation. During Yugoslav times, the island belonged to the French network Club Méditerranée, which organized exclusive and high-quality holidays here: 500 Thai-style huts were built without electricity or water supply. Such recreation in the bosom of nature was in great demand. However, after the collapse of Yugoslavia, the island was abandoned. However, a project to restore the island has now been launched. According to Metropol Group, which bought the island, the 6-star resort will be the first island hotel of its kind.
- Island Gospa od Milo (or Lord of Grace). It is the smallest of these three islands. There is an old, but functioning nunnery and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on it. "Lord od Milo" means "Merciful Mother of God". The attraction of the monastery is a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary of the 14th century.
An equally important attraction of Tivat is the medieval Bucha Palacewhich is over 500 years old. Bucha Palace consists of 5 buildings: a residential building, the chapel of St. Michael, the patron of the Kotor family Bucha, outbuildings and a porch. One of the buildings now houses the Tivat Art Gallery.
In addition, architectural monuments of the Illyrian, Roman and Byzantine periods have been preserved in Tivat - the churches of St. Vid, St. Luke, St. Gabriel and others. Also of interest will be the ancient center of Gornja Lastva, located 300 meters above sea level.
Beaches
Generally on everything Bay of Kotor there is a slight "tension" with the beaches, which are significantly inferior to the beaches in the open sea - Rafailovici, Becici and, most importantly, Ulcinj. However, you can still find small pebble or even sandy beaches. In total, there are about 17 (!) Municipal and hotel beaches around Tivat.
- One of the best and most beautiful beaches of the Bay of Kotor considered to be the Plavi Horizonte, located in the Przno valley (on the peninsula Lustica).
- Opatovo beach is located 3 km from the center of Tivat, near the crossing. If you see a red and white lighthouse, then you are there!
- 1.5 km from the city there is a small but picturesque sandy beach Donja Lastva, with a length of 1000 m.
- on the cape Selyanovo (Seljanovo) there is a sandy beach with beautiful rocks, 1.7 km long, between Tivat and the Verige Strait.
- In the center of Tivat, along the promenade, there are two pebble beaches - Belane (Belane; 150 m) and Zupa (500 m). They are fully equipped with sunbeds, showers and parking; Nearby are restaurants and cafes.
- Not far from Radovići there is a small beach Cloudy (Oblatno; 150 m). On the beach there is a restaurant and a disco bar; parties are held there on weekends and holidays.
- IN Krasicach (Krašiči) there is another pebble beach, 1.5 km long. There you can also take sunbeds and have a couple of cocktails at the local bar.
- On the already mentioned island of flowers there is also a beach that goes around the entire island (1200 m).
- Before reaching the Island of Flowers (if you go from Kotor towards Tivat, turn left after the airport, there will be a sign), there is a city beach Kalardovo (Kalardovo). There are sports grounds, a picnic area, parking, restaurants and cafes.
Events
In Tivat, life is in full swing, regardless of the season. Days of culture are held in November - various theater groups perform, concerts are given. In February, masquerades and carnivals are held in the city. In the second half of February, a fantastic Bokel night "Bokelska noć". In May is held beetle (Dandelion) and Youth Day (May 25).
From July to August runs Mediterranean Theater Festival Purgatorie, which hosts theatrical performances, exhibitions, concerts and film screenings. On the first Saturday in August Gornja Lastva there is a local festival where you can enjoy dinner at the mill, watch a concert and various performances. A fun sports olympiad is also organized in the summer; young Montenegrins love to play sports, so there is something to see!
Even if you do not know about any event, walking along the embankment, you will definitely see the announcement of this and many other events! Montenegro is much more interesting than it might seem at first sight 😉
