Risan

The small town of Risan, located on the shores of the Kotor Bay of Montenegro, is remarkable for being the oldest settlement in this area. Located just a few kilometers from Perast and is strikingly different from it, it can even be described as abandoned and absolutely not touristic. Here you can even feel in the cafe real Montenegrin spirit. But still, if there is a visit to Perast in your plans, then Risan is definitely worth a visit because of one, but very unique attraction - Roman ancient mosaics.
 

History of the city.

The first mention of the city dates back to the III century BC when the city was a powerful and well-fortified settlement. Then it was ruled by the Illyrian Queen Tetoua, known for her warlike temper and a formidable pirate fleet. In those days, there was the first mint in the territory of Montenegro. During the Roman-Illyrian wars, the Roman Empire took over the centuries. This was the period of the heyday of Risan, after which remained a unique heritage of ancient culture, architecture and art. However, around 595 year, the city was destroyed as a result of raids by Avarian and Slavic tribes, as well as after a strong earthquake.

During the Middle Ages, the authorities in Risan have been changed many times. So in the X century it belonged to the Serbian principality of Travunia, then was part of Zetas, and in the middle of the XV century together with the city of Herceg Novi was under the control of Duke Stefan Vuksic. It is known that in 1466 the Venetian Republic appealed to the duke with an offer to exchange these two cities for the island of Brač in the Adriatic Sea and the palace in Split, but was refused. In 1482, during the reign of his son Vlatko Hercegovic, both cities were conquered by the Ottoman Empire, under the rule of which Risan was over 200 years.

Only in 1678, as a result of the military actions of the Venetian Republic, the city was included in the province of Venetian Albania. The next two centuries, Risan, like the whole Kotor Bay, belonged to the possessions of different states: Austria, France, Yugoslavia, and since 2006 has become a full-fledged administrative unit of independent Montenegro.

Risan is especially famous for its monuments of the ancient period. In the I-II centuries there were built marble palaces decorated with sculpture and mosaics. Of them, only the remnants of the Roman patrician villa have survived to this day. It is known for its floor mosaic, among which stands the unique and the only one image of the god of dreams Hypnos in the Balkans. These ruins are rightly considered the richest heritage of ancient culture on the territory of Montenegro.

In the center of Risan the Church of Saints Peter and Paul of 1601 rises. It is a single complex with a small chapel of St. Michael the Archangel, as well as a city cemetery. Of particular value is the collection of icons of masters of the Boko-Kotor school, kept in the church.

To a later period belongs the partially preserved Velic mansion, the family nest. Their famous representative Marco Ivelic valiantly served in the Russian troops and achieved high rank.

Lifehack: The cost of visiting the complex of Roman mosaics in Risan is 2 €.
 

The beach of the city.
 

The beach is in the city, its length is almost a kilometer. Conditionally it can be divided into 3 parts. The largest (central) part with a concrete platform belongs to the hotel Teuta. In accordance with European standards, the territory is regularly cleaned, toilets, shower cabins, locker rooms are installed. The sun loungers, umbrellas are at your service. Employees of the rescue service and the medical aid station work there. Those who like, can ride a catamaran or play volleyball. The laws of Montenegro guarantee free access to the beaches. However, at the peak of the season, tourists who do not live in a hotel can be denied. If the question is positively resolved, they will have to pay for the use of "equipment". But the visitors of the left and right parts are guaranteed of getting rid of an unpleasant surprise called "No vacant seats." Risan is not as popular as Budva or Kotor, so the beach, which width is 10 meters, it is always spacious. There are enough umbrellas and sunbeds at rental points, prices are generally available, while renting is voluntary. Water in the sea is transparent, which attracts snorkelers. The bottom goes down smoothly; the children splash in complete safety. Guests can enjoy water sports. In the cafe located on the beach, they are always ready to offer some light snacks, ice cream, drinks.
 

What to see in the vicinity of the city?

In the vicinity of the city there is a small town of Crkvice, located on the Krivosije Plateau on the eastern slope of Mount Orien. The town is known for the fact that every year about 5,000 mm of precipitation falls here, and snow 30 cm thick lasts from 30 to 120 days a year - this is the record of precipitation in the whole Europe. Massive archaeological excavations are conducted here, on Orien. Not far from the village Lipci, located 4 km from Risan, in the cave were found rock drawings of the Bronze Age, depicting scenes of deer hunting and others. This is one of the most important archaeological sites.

Further the road goes along the coast of Kotor and Risan Bay towards Tivat Bay by a beautiful and strategically important place - the Verige Strait, the narrowest one in Boka. On its banks opposite each other are two small villages: Lepetane and Kamenari. The distance between them along the water is only 900 m, and in the old days the iron chains stretched between the banks, thus blocking the way to enemy ships.

Lifehack: there is a ferry service between Kamenari and Lepetane, which cuts the way from Budva to Herceg Novi for 40 km. The cost of crossing by car is 4.50 €, and for pedestrians it's free.

 

How to get to the city?

If you follow the motorway by bus or a rented car from Kotor, the city is the next locality after Perast.

Despite the size, Risan simply teems with nightclubs and discos. All around Risan there are scattered restaurants with delicious food made from local products. You can book a room in the Marble Castle - this building is modern, although it was built according to the architectural traditions of the region in antique style. There is a castle almost on the city beach, the proximity of the sea makes it even more visually attractive. The interiors of the castle are made with the use of expensive blue marble and decorated with decorative panels, openwork gratings, spectacular lights. For those wishing to stay on holiday, there are eight rooms in the castle, all of them equipped with modern appliances, comfortable furniture and have magnificent observation platforms from which you can admire the panoramas of the sea or the surrounding area. In the city itself there are only a few hotels (but there is a possibility to rent a villa or apartments), but nearby, in Perast, Kotor and other cities there are quite a few hotels for every, even the most demanding taste. Many of them are literally a few meters from the edge of the sea.

Rest in Risan can become one of the most enjoyable moments of life. The general atmosphere of life in this city is such that fully confirms the thesis that, man is born to sit back. The slowness, tranquility, and benevolence of local residents has a beneficial, almost therapeutic effect on tourists.