Herceg Novi Old Town, Herceg Novi, Montenegro

Herceg Novi was founded (on a former small fishing village, existing since Roman Empire times) as a fortress in 1382 by first Bosnian King Stjepan Tvrtko I and was called Sveti Stefan or Castelnuovo. The Turks conquered Herceg Novi in 1482, and ruled for 200 years, until 1687. However, there was a short pause between 1538 and 1539 when it was held by the Spaniards before they were defeated in the Siege of Castelnuovo. Turkey ruled again until 1687, from then until 1797, the town was ruled by the Venetian Republic.

The Herceg Novi old town is amazing. It is on a fairly steep hill that leads all the way down to the sea. Wandering through the small stairways to the various plazas and fortresses is a many hour adventure. There are both Orthodox and Catholic churches that are well worth visiting.

Herceg Novi has two town squares, including the small, stone-paved Belavista (nice view), which is easy to get to from the main town square, Trg Nikole Đurkovića, once referred to as Salt Square, by walking up the stairs that lead through the town’s clock tower. Here, old stone buildings encircle the delightful church St. Arhangel Mihailo, a building unique in its architecture. This Orthodox Church is neo-Byzantine styled with Gothic and Romanesque details.

The Kanli Kula fortress dominating the old town doubles as an open-air theatre and is worth visiting mainly for the splendid views of the town and the Kotor bay.

The Spanjola fortress located higher up the mountain dates back to 16th century. Take a small street going upwards across from the Kanli Kula fortress.

User Reviews

Stephen Skinner (6 months ago)
Koto old town was a fabulous place, very busy when the cruise ships are in, little narrow streets full of shops, plenty to see and if feeling energetic can do the walk to the cliff top to see the ruins. Loads of eating places and some beautiful old churches here.

Mathew Thornhill (6 months ago)
As the name suggests old town is old. Medieval. There are a lot of steps. But if you can handle the steps the fortress is worth a look. Plus there's plenty of cafés to grab a drink in.

Jemima Daisy (7 months ago)
Beautiful maze of shops and restaurants with so many churches to see. Try and get up to the second level for an alternative view of the city! Narrow streets so might be tricky for those with limited mobility.

Ian Culbreth (8 months ago)
Beautiful, unique. Probably the only "walking street" in Europe that is entirely made of stairs. (It's easy to see why the Montenegrins look like perfect athletes - longest legs I've ever seen and I think all are taller than 2m :) .) Twist your way through the random streets (stairs) and get lost between the newly renovated and the abandoned gems waiting for restoration.

Haris Demir (10 months ago)
Old town as it once was, with narrow streets and packed with history. Founded by the King of Bosnia Tvrtko I, it is a testament to his visionary leadership. Fully recommended to visit and explore the place.

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Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d"Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d"Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.

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