Kotorfjord, Montenegro
Shortly before 7am we arrived at the mouth of the spectacular Kotorfjord on the Dalmation coast of Montenegro. This submerged ancient river valley is thirteen miles long and bordered by limestone uplands, reaching as high as 3,000 feet in places, which formed a dramatic backdrop to our steady cruise toward the small town of Kotor. Not far from our destination and lying just a couple of hundred meters offshore from the idyllic town of Perast, we rounded two tiny islands with long religious connections and in line with local tradition the National Geographic Endeavour sounded her horn several times which resonated along the sides of Kotorfjord. In response many of the town's inhabitants waved to us with towels in a gesture of welcome.
Not long afterwards we berthed beside the walled medieval town of Kotor. Following breakfast, we boarded coaches and drove the short distance back to the neighboring town of Perast where small ferry boats were ready to take us over to Gospa od Skrpjela or the Church of Our Lady of the Rock. According to legend, a statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered at this spot in Kotorfjord following a major seafaring tragedy. In response to this the local fishermen carried rocks across to the spot and deposited them in the water which over time accumulated and formed the island on which the beautiful small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary now stands. Much of the interior of the church is decorated in the Baroque style including scenes of the Virgin Mary's life which cover the ceiling. In frames forming a border on the wall just below are some 2,500 small rectangular silver plaques which over the years were donated by fishermen and sailors to the church in thanksgiving for safe passage at sea. The altar is a remarkably ornate piece made in 1796 in Italy using four different marbles. The church also houses a most interesting museum focusing on the sea as a theme. Back on shore we went to see the nautical museum of Perast. Just before lunch we were taken on an introductory walking tour of the beautiful walled medieval town of Kotor.
In the afternoon we drove through Kotor and up along a road which has 25 serpentine switchbacks which took us to a height of 902 meters to the rim of the limestone ridge that dominates the back end of Kotorfjord. A karstic region, this entire area abounds in a myriad of wild flowers. Before returning to Kotor and our awaiting ship, we stopped at a typical mountain village called Njegusi where we sampled the local specialties of smoked ham, cheeses, and wine. A fitting end to a most interesting day.
Shortly before 7am we arrived at the mouth of the spectacular Kotorfjord on the Dalmation coast of Montenegro. This submerged ancient river valley is thirteen miles long and bordered by limestone uplands, reaching as high as 3,000 feet in places, which formed a dramatic backdrop to our steady cruise toward the small town of Kotor. Not far from our destination and lying just a couple of hundred meters offshore from the idyllic town of Perast, we rounded two tiny islands with long religious connections and in line with local tradition the National Geographic Endeavour sounded her horn several times which resonated along the sides of Kotorfjord. In response many of the town's inhabitants waved to us with towels in a gesture of welcome.
Not long afterwards we berthed beside the walled medieval town of Kotor. Following breakfast, we boarded coaches and drove the short distance back to the neighboring town of Perast where small ferry boats were ready to take us over to Gospa od Skrpjela or the Church of Our Lady of the Rock. According to legend, a statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered at this spot in Kotorfjord following a major seafaring tragedy. In response to this the local fishermen carried rocks across to the spot and deposited them in the water which over time accumulated and formed the island on which the beautiful small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary now stands. Much of the interior of the church is decorated in the Baroque style including scenes of the Virgin Mary's life which cover the ceiling. In frames forming a border on the wall just below are some 2,500 small rectangular silver plaques which over the years were donated by fishermen and sailors to the church in thanksgiving for safe passage at sea. The altar is a remarkably ornate piece made in 1796 in Italy using four different marbles. The church also houses a most interesting museum focusing on the sea as a theme. Back on shore we went to see the nautical museum of Perast. Just before lunch we were taken on an introductory walking tour of the beautiful walled medieval town of Kotor.
In the afternoon we drove through Kotor and up along a road which has 25 serpentine switchbacks which took us to a height of 902 meters to the rim of the limestone ridge that dominates the back end of Kotorfjord. A karstic region, this entire area abounds in a myriad of wild flowers. Before returning to Kotor and our awaiting ship, we stopped at a typical mountain village called Njegusi where we sampled the local specialties of smoked ham, cheeses, and wine. A fitting end to a most interesting day.
