Dobrota
Dobrota is a small village in Montenegro, on the shore Kotor Bay. The population of the village is about 8,200 people. Dobrota stretches for several kilometers along the picturesque coastline, from the ancient city of Kotor to the village of Ljuta, and is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful settlements of the Bay of Kotor.
About 750 years ago, it was the time when the first mention of Dobrota occurred - the village was called Dabratum. The current name appeared a little later, when the settlement became a part of Kotor. Over 300 years, from 1371 to 1704, Dobrota was its suburb. The greatest prosperity Dobrota reached in the 17th and 19th centuries, when there was a fairly large pier, many ships, and everyone was trained for naval work. In 1717, Dobrota received the status of a seaside settlement. Rich captains of local vessels built beautiful baroque palaces here, furnishing them with valuable furniture, decorating with picturesque canvases and exotic plants, filling libraries with ancient books. The most famous palaces that have survived to our time are the houses of the Tripkovic, Dabinovic, Ivanovic, Radonicici and Milosevic. And the wives of the sailors from Dobrota became famous for weaving the finest lace which they made in the periods of maritime wanderings of their husbands.
In Dobrota at the time of greatest prosperity, the majority of noble families who became rich in maritime trade settled. In memory of this era there remained a large number of "captain palaces", among which the Palace of Ivanovici occupies not the last place. Built in the Baroque style, it has become one of the most notable buildings of the Bay Coast in this part of the Bay of Kotor. The palace was built in the second half of the 18th century for the captain's family of Ivanovici. The Ivanovici was considered one of the richest families of Dobrota - by the beginning of the XIX century they had 11 houses in Dobrota. Thriven on sailing, in the 18th century there were 28 ships in their property, they traded with Italian and Albanian ports. During the war between Venice and Turkey in 1714-1718 Ivanovici allocated part of his fleet for the liberation of Ulcinj from the Turks, for which they received praise from the Venetian governor Alvise Mocenigo. In 1756 the brothers Mark and Joseph Ivanovic defeated the Turks in a sea battle near the Greek port of Piraeus, after which they were knighted and awarded with the Order of St. Mark.
The Palace of Ivanovici is a typical Baroque one, consisting of four floors and a gazebo. The palace was built on a high place and completely surrounded by a closed fence. You can enter the courtyard through the stone gate, which is decorated with the Ivanovic family coat of arms. The interior has several terraces with various plants, to which the stone stairs leads. Under the terraces, along the walls of the fence, there are utility rooms. The symmetrical facade of the palace is composed of small hewn stone, on the second and third floors in the center are balconies with openwork grating made of wrought iron. All windows and doorways have characteristic features of baroque style, the platbands are decorated in the form of stylized acanthus leaves. The interior of the palace is richly decorated with stucco molding, and the floor is laid with stony slabs in checkerboard pattern.
The palace of the Milosevic family in Dobrota has gone down in history under the name "Veliki Palac". The Milosevic Palace has the largest dimensions among similar buildings. The palace was built in 1828 by sea captains and ship owners - the brothers Milosevic. They also belonged to the ship "Nemirna" (Restless), which became the last sailboat in the Bay of Kotor. In general, the Milosevic family was ranked the 12th among the sea families of Dobrota in terms of wealth, the number of seamen and captains. In the XIX century, they owned nine ships and six houses on the coast. The building is a four-story palace with a wide belvedere and late baroque features. It is surrounded by a stone wall of a fence, behind which there is an internal terrace.
Since the palace was intended immediately for two owners, it was built as a semi-detached house and functionally divided into two identical and symmetrical parts. Also, the yard is divided into two parts, which can be accessed through two different gates decorated with monograms with the initials of the owners - "NM" and "VM". Similarly, the facade of the palace at the level of the third floor has two balconies with a metal balustrade. Inside the building on each floor there are two central salons, from which you can get to other rooms. The stairs are located in the outer wings. In the palace, still in its pristine form, there are internal storage rooms, as well as rooms with high ceilings. This is the only palace in Dobrota with two different facades, the main one with a view of the sea, the rear one with a view of the mountains. And in the south-eastern part of the palace there is an unusual corner tower with a cannon embrasure built in the style of a ship one.
The majestic appearance and the greatest fame among all the "captain palaces" of the Kotor Bay, built in the area of Kotor Dobrota, has the mansion of the Tripkovic family. It is made in the Baroque style, in the decor there is an abundance of bright decorative elements. The monumentality and splendor of this palace contrasts against the background of Mount Orjen, covered only by rough and bare rocks. The Tripkovic family played an important role in the life of Kotor, especially in such areas as trade, navigation, construction and culture. It is known that this family owned 18 vessels, and almost 86 people of this kind were sailors, and 63 - in the rank of the ship captain. One of them, Andrija Tripkovic, was the head of the local commune and was a member of Kotor administration. In addition to the palace, the family owned 6 more houses, but this palace was the most expensive of them - in 1808 it was estimated at 7,000 Austrian forints, which became an absolute record for the village of Dobrota.
The palace was built at the end of the XVIII century by the order of Captain Andrij Tripkovic. The building is a bit away from the shore and is on a hill, surrounded by a stone parapet with a family coat of arms above the entrance and long balustrades, behind which a small garden hides, several more gardens are behind the house. On the shore in front of the palace there is a sea dock with the embankment. The palace itself, made of Korcula stone, has three floors and a belvedere with a baroque pediment, this belvedere is crowned with a small turret. On the main facade at the level of the third floor there is a balcony, which supporting structure is covered with ornamentation from the leaves of acanthus.
Besides palaces in Dobrota there are several ancient churches. One of them - the baroque church of St. Matthew was built in the 17th century, it has the famous icon of Giovanni Bellini "Madonna and Child". The Church of St. Elijah is considered the oldest monument of architecture in Montenegro, it was built in the 11th century and it is preserved till our days. And in the church of St. Eustace, built in 1773, there is an interesting collection of laces from 17-18 centuries (52 canvases in total) and a unique ancient mosaic that adorns the altar. Among the old buildings there is also the Radončić mansion built in the 19th century and renovated in 2012, inside which the Institute of Marine Biology is located today.
There are fewer visitors here, and consequently, rest is calmer than on the Budva coast. Dobrota itself, the neighborhood of which is buried in the green of citrus and olive trees, is very cozy and hospitable. Here visitors are awaited for the pure sea and entertainments which usually assumes beach rest. For fans of shopping in Dobrota there are various shops, a small market where you can buy fresh fruits and a touching souvenir to commemorate this place. Tourists, finding themselves here, always note the harmony that reigns in the coastal part of the city, where charming cottages with their own bays, small beaches and berths for boats are located.
The beach zone, about 7 km long, runs along the whole village and consists of concrete and pebble areas. The place is replete with various cafes, bars and restaurants. The lack of spacious sandy beaches is completely compensated by the magnificent views of Kotor Bay. Unlike the beaches of many major tourist centers, the coast of Dobrota is extremely rare can be seen crowded with vacationers.
Despite the developed infrastructure of hotels, shops and restaurants in Dobrota, the most interesting events are still in Kotor, which is 4 km from the city. The medieval fortified city of Kotor is a real architectural gem in the crown of the Mediterranean coast. Visit the Old Town, which is more than 2 thousand years old, and all this time it remained one of the important seaports and shopping centers of the Adriatic. Here behind the fortress walls were preserved the palaces of rich families, churches, towers and fountains - all now is under the protection of UNESCO. It is worth to climb the walls and fortress of St. John and see the unique landscape of Kotor Bay.
If you move to the north, then you will get to the nearest village Orahovac - the greenest one in Kotor Bay. It is famous for its beaches with clear water, ancient oaks and wild pomegranates. The next settlement is the city of Perast. It is picturesque, like any other city on the Mediterranean coast. However, this Adriatic town is distinguished by its architecture, reflecting its glorious past. It is like an open-air museum, showing guests magnificent examples of baroque architecture against the background of natural scenery of Kotor Bay. Many buildings of the city are like real palaces. After all, once in the city lived 12 noble families, and they erected the very Baroque mansions and churches, for which Perast is proud to this day. In addition, deductions to the treasury from maritime trade and customs privileges, along with income from military campaigns against pirates, brought huge amount of money, which contributed to the prosperity of the city.
The uniqueness of Perast is also in the fact that near the city there are 2 islands, inseparable from the city both geographically and historically. One of them is the island of Gospa od Škrpjela or as it is also called Our Lady of the Rocks - this is the only man-made island in the Adriatic.
Lifehack: you can get to the island by water taxi from Perast. The fare is 5 € per person. The travel time will take only a couple of minutes, but you will have time to make amazingly beautiful photos.
The second one is the island of St. George (Sveti Dordje), which carries the second name "Island of the Dead". Here is the cemetery, where famous captains of Perast were buried. The island is very picturesque, but you can admire it only from the water, because it is closed for visitors.
If you flew to Tivat airport, then you can take a taxi and in 20 minutes you will be in the village. The city is conveniently located on the coast and wherever you are resting, in the Budva or Herceg Nova Riviera, you can get there by bus. But you need to be careful and specify the route of the bus, it must go through Kotor, and not through the ferry. Although such a journey is not without the charm, because the ferry crosses the Verige Strait - one of the narrowest and most picturesque straits of the Bay of Kotor. In ancient times in the XVII century, in order to prevent the path to the pirates, it was blocked by chains - verigami. Hence the so unusual name of the strait itself. Despite its size, the strait is quite restless due to the strong current. That's why swimming it is not recommended. The average depth of the strait is 30 meters, and the width in the narrowest place is 300 meters. And of course moving around on a rented car, you can stop at any place you like and travel from Dobrota to different directions.
Find housing in the village is not difficult. You will be offered to be located both in the private sector and in comfortable hotels. Hotel FORZA MARE category 5 * is located in Dobrota on the shore of Kotor Bay, 3 km from the city center. This luxurious and decorated boutique hotel offers its guests original decorated rooms in the styles of different countries, cities and continents: Africa, India, Dubai, Japan and China. Here you can completely relax and enjoy a warm and pleasant atmosphere. The excellent à la carte restaurant serves national and international cuisine, it combines modern style, elegant atmosphere and first-class service. At the confectioner’s, which is located on a sunny terrace overlooking the bay, the most delicate snacks are served.
Villa Panonija offers air-conditioned suites and apartments with a private balcony and free Wi-Fi. The villa is located 50 meters from Kotor Bay and a 5-minute walk from the beach. All modern suites and apartments have parquet floors. Each room has a private bathroom with a bath or shower. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room, which is decorated with stained glass. The bar adjoins the breakfast room. Just a 5-minute walk from Villa Panonija you will find an open-air cafe, pizzerias and other restaurants.
Rest in the town of Dobrota is a great choice if you want to combine a relaxing holiday and an opportunity for trips and excursions. The lack of spacious beaches is compensated by a small number of holidaymakers and proximity to various attractions of the region.
History of the city.
About 750 years ago, it was the time when the first mention of Dobrota occurred - the village was called Dabratum. The current name appeared a little later, when the settlement became a part of Kotor. Over 300 years, from 1371 to 1704, Dobrota was its suburb. The greatest prosperity Dobrota reached in the 17th and 19th centuries, when there was a fairly large pier, many ships, and everyone was trained for naval work. In 1717, Dobrota received the status of a seaside settlement. Rich captains of local vessels built beautiful baroque palaces here, furnishing them with valuable furniture, decorating with picturesque canvases and exotic plants, filling libraries with ancient books. The most famous palaces that have survived to our time are the houses of the Tripkovic, Dabinovic, Ivanovic, Radonicici and Milosevic. And the wives of the sailors from Dobrota became famous for weaving the finest lace which they made in the periods of maritime wanderings of their husbands.
Sights.
In Dobrota at the time of greatest prosperity, the majority of noble families who became rich in maritime trade settled. In memory of this era there remained a large number of "captain palaces", among which the Palace of Ivanovici occupies not the last place. Built in the Baroque style, it has become one of the most notable buildings of the Bay Coast in this part of the Bay of Kotor. The palace was built in the second half of the 18th century for the captain's family of Ivanovici. The Ivanovici was considered one of the richest families of Dobrota - by the beginning of the XIX century they had 11 houses in Dobrota. Thriven on sailing, in the 18th century there were 28 ships in their property, they traded with Italian and Albanian ports. During the war between Venice and Turkey in 1714-1718 Ivanovici allocated part of his fleet for the liberation of Ulcinj from the Turks, for which they received praise from the Venetian governor Alvise Mocenigo. In 1756 the brothers Mark and Joseph Ivanovic defeated the Turks in a sea battle near the Greek port of Piraeus, after which they were knighted and awarded with the Order of St. Mark.
The Palace of Ivanovici is a typical Baroque one, consisting of four floors and a gazebo. The palace was built on a high place and completely surrounded by a closed fence. You can enter the courtyard through the stone gate, which is decorated with the Ivanovic family coat of arms. The interior has several terraces with various plants, to which the stone stairs leads. Under the terraces, along the walls of the fence, there are utility rooms. The symmetrical facade of the palace is composed of small hewn stone, on the second and third floors in the center are balconies with openwork grating made of wrought iron. All windows and doorways have characteristic features of baroque style, the platbands are decorated in the form of stylized acanthus leaves. The interior of the palace is richly decorated with stucco molding, and the floor is laid with stony slabs in checkerboard pattern.
The palace of the Milosevic family in Dobrota has gone down in history under the name "Veliki Palac". The Milosevic Palace has the largest dimensions among similar buildings. The palace was built in 1828 by sea captains and ship owners - the brothers Milosevic. They also belonged to the ship "Nemirna" (Restless), which became the last sailboat in the Bay of Kotor. In general, the Milosevic family was ranked the 12th among the sea families of Dobrota in terms of wealth, the number of seamen and captains. In the XIX century, they owned nine ships and six houses on the coast. The building is a four-story palace with a wide belvedere and late baroque features. It is surrounded by a stone wall of a fence, behind which there is an internal terrace.
Since the palace was intended immediately for two owners, it was built as a semi-detached house and functionally divided into two identical and symmetrical parts. Also, the yard is divided into two parts, which can be accessed through two different gates decorated with monograms with the initials of the owners - "NM" and "VM". Similarly, the facade of the palace at the level of the third floor has two balconies with a metal balustrade. Inside the building on each floor there are two central salons, from which you can get to other rooms. The stairs are located in the outer wings. In the palace, still in its pristine form, there are internal storage rooms, as well as rooms with high ceilings. This is the only palace in Dobrota with two different facades, the main one with a view of the sea, the rear one with a view of the mountains. And in the south-eastern part of the palace there is an unusual corner tower with a cannon embrasure built in the style of a ship one.
The majestic appearance and the greatest fame among all the "captain palaces" of the Kotor Bay, built in the area of Kotor Dobrota, has the mansion of the Tripkovic family. It is made in the Baroque style, in the decor there is an abundance of bright decorative elements. The monumentality and splendor of this palace contrasts against the background of Mount Orjen, covered only by rough and bare rocks. The Tripkovic family played an important role in the life of Kotor, especially in such areas as trade, navigation, construction and culture. It is known that this family owned 18 vessels, and almost 86 people of this kind were sailors, and 63 - in the rank of the ship captain. One of them, Andrija Tripkovic, was the head of the local commune and was a member of Kotor administration. In addition to the palace, the family owned 6 more houses, but this palace was the most expensive of them - in 1808 it was estimated at 7,000 Austrian forints, which became an absolute record for the village of Dobrota.
The palace was built at the end of the XVIII century by the order of Captain Andrij Tripkovic. The building is a bit away from the shore and is on a hill, surrounded by a stone parapet with a family coat of arms above the entrance and long balustrades, behind which a small garden hides, several more gardens are behind the house. On the shore in front of the palace there is a sea dock with the embankment. The palace itself, made of Korcula stone, has three floors and a belvedere with a baroque pediment, this belvedere is crowned with a small turret. On the main facade at the level of the third floor there is a balcony, which supporting structure is covered with ornamentation from the leaves of acanthus.
Besides palaces in Dobrota there are several ancient churches. One of them - the baroque church of St. Matthew was built in the 17th century, it has the famous icon of Giovanni Bellini "Madonna and Child". The Church of St. Elijah is considered the oldest monument of architecture in Montenegro, it was built in the 11th century and it is preserved till our days. And in the church of St. Eustace, built in 1773, there is an interesting collection of laces from 17-18 centuries (52 canvases in total) and a unique ancient mosaic that adorns the altar. Among the old buildings there is also the Radončić mansion built in the 19th century and renovated in 2012, inside which the Institute of Marine Biology is located today.
There are fewer visitors here, and consequently, rest is calmer than on the Budva coast. Dobrota itself, the neighborhood of which is buried in the green of citrus and olive trees, is very cozy and hospitable. Here visitors are awaited for the pure sea and entertainments which usually assumes beach rest. For fans of shopping in Dobrota there are various shops, a small market where you can buy fresh fruits and a touching souvenir to commemorate this place. Tourists, finding themselves here, always note the harmony that reigns in the coastal part of the city, where charming cottages with their own bays, small beaches and berths for boats are located.
The beach zone, about 7 km long, runs along the whole village and consists of concrete and pebble areas. The place is replete with various cafes, bars and restaurants. The lack of spacious sandy beaches is completely compensated by the magnificent views of Kotor Bay. Unlike the beaches of many major tourist centers, the coast of Dobrota is extremely rare can be seen crowded with vacationers.
What to see in the vicinity of the city?
Despite the developed infrastructure of hotels, shops and restaurants in Dobrota, the most interesting events are still in Kotor, which is 4 km from the city. The medieval fortified city of Kotor is a real architectural gem in the crown of the Mediterranean coast. Visit the Old Town, which is more than 2 thousand years old, and all this time it remained one of the important seaports and shopping centers of the Adriatic. Here behind the fortress walls were preserved the palaces of rich families, churches, towers and fountains - all now is under the protection of UNESCO. It is worth to climb the walls and fortress of St. John and see the unique landscape of Kotor Bay.
If you move to the north, then you will get to the nearest village Orahovac - the greenest one in Kotor Bay. It is famous for its beaches with clear water, ancient oaks and wild pomegranates. The next settlement is the city of Perast. It is picturesque, like any other city on the Mediterranean coast. However, this Adriatic town is distinguished by its architecture, reflecting its glorious past. It is like an open-air museum, showing guests magnificent examples of baroque architecture against the background of natural scenery of Kotor Bay. Many buildings of the city are like real palaces. After all, once in the city lived 12 noble families, and they erected the very Baroque mansions and churches, for which Perast is proud to this day. In addition, deductions to the treasury from maritime trade and customs privileges, along with income from military campaigns against pirates, brought huge amount of money, which contributed to the prosperity of the city.
The uniqueness of Perast is also in the fact that near the city there are 2 islands, inseparable from the city both geographically and historically. One of them is the island of Gospa od Škrpjela or as it is also called Our Lady of the Rocks - this is the only man-made island in the Adriatic.
Lifehack: you can get to the island by water taxi from Perast. The fare is 5 € per person. The travel time will take only a couple of minutes, but you will have time to make amazingly beautiful photos.
The second one is the island of St. George (Sveti Dordje), which carries the second name "Island of the Dead". Here is the cemetery, where famous captains of Perast were buried. The island is very picturesque, but you can admire it only from the water, because it is closed for visitors.
How to get to the city?
If you flew to Tivat airport, then you can take a taxi and in 20 minutes you will be in the village. The city is conveniently located on the coast and wherever you are resting, in the Budva or Herceg Nova Riviera, you can get there by bus. But you need to be careful and specify the route of the bus, it must go through Kotor, and not through the ferry. Although such a journey is not without the charm, because the ferry crosses the Verige Strait - one of the narrowest and most picturesque straits of the Bay of Kotor. In ancient times in the XVII century, in order to prevent the path to the pirates, it was blocked by chains - verigami. Hence the so unusual name of the strait itself. Despite its size, the strait is quite restless due to the strong current. That's why swimming it is not recommended. The average depth of the strait is 30 meters, and the width in the narrowest place is 300 meters. And of course moving around on a rented car, you can stop at any place you like and travel from Dobrota to different directions.
Hotels in Dobrota.
Find housing in the village is not difficult. You will be offered to be located both in the private sector and in comfortable hotels. Hotel FORZA MARE category 5 * is located in Dobrota on the shore of Kotor Bay, 3 km from the city center. This luxurious and decorated boutique hotel offers its guests original decorated rooms in the styles of different countries, cities and continents: Africa, India, Dubai, Japan and China. Here you can completely relax and enjoy a warm and pleasant atmosphere. The excellent à la carte restaurant serves national and international cuisine, it combines modern style, elegant atmosphere and first-class service. At the confectioner’s, which is located on a sunny terrace overlooking the bay, the most delicate snacks are served.
Villa Panonija offers air-conditioned suites and apartments with a private balcony and free Wi-Fi. The villa is located 50 meters from Kotor Bay and a 5-minute walk from the beach. All modern suites and apartments have parquet floors. Each room has a private bathroom with a bath or shower. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room, which is decorated with stained glass. The bar adjoins the breakfast room. Just a 5-minute walk from Villa Panonija you will find an open-air cafe, pizzerias and other restaurants.
Rest in the town of Dobrota is a great choice if you want to combine a relaxing holiday and an opportunity for trips and excursions. The lack of spacious beaches is compensated by a small number of holidaymakers and proximity to various attractions of the region.
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