Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
Close to the old Osman quarter (Stara Varoš) of Podgorica, Montenegro you can find the clocktower Sahat Kula. It is a landmark of the town and its location is no suprise as such clocktowers are not only a symbol of richness – but also of Islam. It is a 19 meters high tower made of stone built in 1667 and financed by Hadži-paša Osmanagić after whom also a mosque close-by is named.
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The Most Milenijum is a futuristic bridge crossing river Morača within the city of Podgorica, Montenegro. Soon after its opening on Montenegro’s National Day in 2005 it become one of the towns landmarks. The bridge was designed and built by a Slovenian company and is 173 meters long.
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The main square of Podgorica, Montenegro is called Trg Republike (‘Republic square’, also called ‘independence square’) and can be found next to the government buildings. The city structure is a bit special and you won’t find the main square in the center of the city as you would expect it – there the old Osman area is located. Instead you have to go to Nova Varoš, the new town. On the square there is a large Italian fountain and a memorial in form of an obelisk.
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A beautiful place at Podgorica, Montenegro can be found between the old Osman quarter and the new modern city center. There the small river Ribnica floats into river Morača and next to it the ruins of the old fortress Ribnica can be found. It was built between 1474 and 1478 by the Ottomans ruleing by that time. Below the ruins you can see a wonderful old stone bridge crossing the river.
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If you’re exploring a typical European city you would normally start with the old town, the ancient city center. At Podgorica, Montenegro you might be a little bit disappointed with the Stara Varoš. It is the old Osman heart of the city and is today a purely residential zone with small houses and gardens. The people seem to grow wine whereever possible but the interesting places are limited to two old mosques located there.
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The hotel Porto In is a good hotel in Kotor, Montenegro. It is located between the old town of the city and the long-distance bus station (which is only four minutes on foot away). The rooms are rather large and every room seems to have a balcony or a terrace. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t see the bay of Kotor from my room, but that didn’t matter much – you can reach the harbour and the old town within three minutes.
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People do strange things when on vacation and I can’t exclude myself from that. How often have I asked myself ‘Why am I doing that?’ – while climbing up La Giralda in Sevilla, Spain; while squeezing myself through the narrow corridors of the cupola of the Basilica di San Pietro at Roma, Italy or when climbing to the top of St. Paul’s cathedral in London, United Kingdom. At Kotor, Montenegro it is especially funny: people are brought on cruise ships with all comfort directly to the old city only to climb up to a fortress high above. 1350 steps, 1.2 kilometers steadily up the hill with an elevation of 260 meters.
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The city of Kotor, Montenegro is a highlight of its own. The fantastic old and well-preserved city center with its churches, old buildings and fortified walls is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979. That brings protection but it is also a reason why giant cruise ships anchor directly in front of the city. But even if you’re there while the city is flooded with tourists you can experience times of the day where this is a rather quite and relaxed place. And there are even some small yards set aside where you can enjoy some coffee in a nice atmosphere.
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Kotor, Montenegro is an ancient trade and harbour city. It is therefore no surprise that seafaring plays an important role in the history of the city and that there is a museum dedicated to this at the historic city center: the maritime museum of Montenegro (Pomorski muzej Crne Gore). It is not a very big or modern museum, but it is worth a visit if you’re interested in the topic or want to learn a bit about the history of the city.
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If you like cats then Kotor, Montenegro might be a good destination for you. They are everywhere in the old town, the citizens love their cohabitants and care about them. They add their special cuteness to the atmosphere of this nice place. Additionally the Italian name for the town is Cattaro – a funny coincidence.
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