Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary

Name: Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary
Address: Kotor, Montenegro

Church

Church · Kotor, Montenegro 42.4562°N 18.7519°E

Why you should go

Ninety seconds on Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary

Time needed

Half an hourLonger with the hill walk

Best time

MorningLight through the dome

Effort

A grand staircaseTerrace before the door

Climb the staircase to the terrace first, then go inside for the altars. Prčanj is a small village with a very large church, paid for by its sea captains, and the balustrade looks out over the bay they sailed from.

Visiting

Two marble apostles stand at the door, Saint Paul on the left and Saint Peter on the right with the keys, and more statues and busts line the balustrade behind you.

Inside are paintings by Piazzetta, Tiepolo and Balestra, and sculpture by Meštrović. Two carved wooden altars came down from the Old Parish Church on the hill, along with the icon of the Virgin of Prčanj, which locals believe works miracles.

Look too for the skeleton in a glass coffin, and for the flag of honour of Ivo Visin, the Prčanj captain who sailed round the world.

Know before you goThe stepped path up to the Old Parish Church starts beside the Verona Palace, just past the church towards Tivat. Allow about half an hour each way, and wear proper shoes: it is steep in places.