Do you intend to visit Montenegro? You must have asked yourself which locations to visit, where are the special places that Montenegro offers, where to taste local specialties or in which hotel to stay, as well as other important information that you should know before you go to Montenegro. You will be convinced that Montenegro, as a destination, offers a variety of experiences - from folk and art festivals, historical and archaeological sites to simply enjoying the charms of its coast or swimming in the warm sea. In order to convey these unique regions of ours to you travelers, the following are texts with the best instructions for staying in Montenegro, as well as interesting stories about locations that should not be missed... The first on our list is the story of the Kotor fortress and the way up the medieval stairs that rise high above the city. This is an essential part of Kotor, which is also described in old medieval documents as the 'city-fortress of Kotor'. The ramparts were built as fortifications for protection and defense against the attacks of various invaders of these regions from the sea as well as from the land. Around the Old Town of Kotor, ramparts were built from the 9th to the 19th century. The main walls surrounding the city got their magnificence and spectacular form in the XIII-XIV centuries when Kotor (Cattaro) was under the rule of the Venetian Republic (Republic of Venice, from northern Italy also called La Serenissima).   The Kotor fortress is a medieval fortification that has main, massive ramparts up to 16 meters wide and 20 meters high, and the total length of the ramparts is 4.5 km, which surround the Old Town of Kotor and climb to the top of the hill by a stone staircase that leads to the bastion called Sveti Roko and the church of Our Lady of Health. The highest point of Kotor is right at the top of the hill where these ramparts end - the fortifications of St. Ivan (bastione di San Giovanni - "Illyrian fortress"). If we go back historically to the very beginning, back in ancient times, the Illyrians were the first to build the walls of the fortress on the hill above the city, and that's how the "Illyrian fortress" (now the fortress of St. John) was created. The bastions were built during the time of the Romans, and then the building was subsequently reconstructed and extended by other conquerors such as Byzantium, Venice, Turkey, Spain and other invaders of this coastal area. The Kotor fortress has visible traces from all historical eras, and the greatest stamp was left by the rule of Venice. The external appearance of the city, which is still well preserved to this day, was formed during the Venetian rule under the banner of Saint Mark. The foundations of the fortress were built at the time of Venice, and the fortification was then built by Austria-Hungary - the dual monarchy that ruled these regions during the 18th and 19th centuries. We are sure that the view from the walls of the fortress of St. Ivan is among the most photographed locations in Montenegro, where the scene of the walls of Kotor adorns many postcards and photographs around the world. The stone walls of the fortress blend naturally with the surrounding mountains, so they are practically invisible from the sea. The Kotor Fortress with its walls today is an exceptional attraction and part of the fortress is open to visitors for a tour. Entrance costs 5 Eur per person. If you are brave and hardy enough to climb to a height of 280 meters by the 1,400 steps long stairs alone, then this is definitely the attraction for you. Don't forget, these are the 'stairs' (the local name for a step) that have outlived many rulers over the centuries. Comfortable shoes are a must, and take drinking water with you and don't forget your camera, because while you climb these medieval stairs, you will have the best views not only of the Old Town, but also of the beautiful view of the Bay of Kotor. And each of the levels, when you climb the walls, is an experience in itself. On the way to the top, you will come across the Chapel of the Salvation of the Virgin, which the locals built 500 years ago (in 1572) as a sign of gratitude for being saved from the plague. We wish you a great time!