Kotor, Montenegro

It is a short sail from Dubrovnik to this picturesque town farther down the coast in the tiny country of Montenegro. We have decided to dub this “field trip” Land of the Walled Cities. So far we have had walled towns at each of out ports of call with more to come. Each has been amazing.
All of these countries were feudal in the middle ages and therefore their fortifications were extensive. In addition this part of the world was forever on the move to expand and explore with one kingdom, fiefdom, or tribe trying to conquer and subdue their neighbor even if that neighbor was a continent or two away.
Kotor was no exception to any of these, so, the fortifications made sense if they were to preserve any independence. As we look from our balcony we see 1350 steps leading zigzag up an almost sheer rock mountain to a fort overlooking the bay. This bay is twenty two miles deep and the city of Kotor lays at the very end.
Once again we see lovely homes, walls, streets, roads and docks made of rock. Today we have chosen to stay onboard as it is pouring rain again and we must tender into this port. If the rain stops for a period later we might decide to venture ashore. Then again the view is quite lovely and the ship is oh so quiet and calm with most of the passengers shoving, pushing and all around jockeying for position in line and on land to “get their monies worth”. Some days we just defy the crowds and choose not to participate and we have all the deck chairs, hot tubs, pools, and saunas to ourselves. We win, neener neener !!
No one knows exactly when Kotor was founded. The name is Greek meaning “wells” but there were residents here long before Greek settlers arrived. It is one of the best preserved medieval cities and was designed with dual purposes : aesthetic beauty and an attempt to thwart invaders. Its main fortification was a wall,  3 miles long, 60 foot high, and 45 feet thick! Needless to say it still exists.