UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Montenegro
Montenegro has 3 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List (2 cultural and 1 natural), the first inscribed in 1979 (Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor). The map below plots every one of them alongside the rest of the List, and each site is written up in full further down the page.
- World Heritage Sites
- 3
- Cultural
- 2
- Natural and Mixed
- 1
- First Inscribed
- 1979
Map of World Heritage Sites in Montenegro
CulturalNaturalMixedIn DangerLarge dots are in Montenegro. Click a dot to read about the site.
Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor
Montenegro · 42.4300° N, 18.7700° E · 146 km² · 41 km from Podgorica
The Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor is a World Heritage Site located in Montenegro that was inscribed in 1979. It encompasses the old town of Kotor (Italian: Cattaro), the fortifications of Kotor, and the surrounding region of the inner Bay of Kotor.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Why Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor Is Listed
- (i)
- A masterpiece of human creative genius.
- (ii)
- An important interchange of human values.
- (iii)
- A unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.
- (iv)
- An outstanding example of a type of building or landscape.
More about Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor
UNESCO's Description
In the Middle Ages, this natural harbour on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro was an important artistic and commercial centre with its own famous schools of masonry and iconography. A large number of the monuments (including four Romanesque churches and the town walls) were seriously damaged by the 1979 earthquake but the town has been restored, largely with UNESCO’s help.
From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Description
The old town of Kotor is contained within the city walls and a well preserved and restored medieval cityscape with notable buildings including the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (built in 1166).
Kotor was heavily damaged during the earthquake on April 15, 1979, and this prompted the site to be also listed on the Danger List in 1979 when the site was inscribed. After significant rehabilitation within the town, the site was taken off this list in 2003.
The fortifications consist of a system of defensive military buildings to protect the medieval town of Kotor. They include the city walls with gates and bastions, ramparts that ascend the mountain of St. John, the castle of St. John (San Giovanni), and supportive structures.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Durmitor National Park
Montenegro · 43.1532° N, 19.0369° E · 321 km² · 79 km from Podgorica
This breathtaking national park was formed by glaciers and is traversed by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara river canyon, which has the deepest gorges in Europe, the dense pine forests are interspersed with clear lakes and harbour a wide range of endemic flora.
Description from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Why Durmitor National Park Is Listed
- (vii)
- Superlative natural phenomena or exceptional natural beauty.
- (viii)
- An outstanding example of major stages of the Earth's history.
- (x)
- The most important natural habitats for conserving biodiversity.
Shared With Neighbouring Countries
These sites cross the border. Each is written up on the page of the country UNESCO lists first.
World Heritage in Montenegro: Quick Answers
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Montenegro?
- Montenegro has 3 World Heritage Sites: 2 cultural and 1 natural. 1 of them is shared with a neighbouring country.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Montenegro?
- Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor, inscribed in 1979. The most recent is The Venetian Works of defence between 15th and 17th centuries, inscribed in 2017.
- What are the natural World Heritage Sites in Montenegro?
- Durmitor National Park.
- Are any World Heritage Sites in Montenegro in danger?
- None of the World Heritage Sites in Montenegro is on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.