Kotor City Walls & Fortifications

The 4.5 km defensive circuit around Kotor Old Town climbs the limestone face to Saint John's Fortress at 280 metres, built and reinforced from the 9th century through the Venetian period and still largely intact. Three gates pierce the walls at street level: the Sea Gate of 1555 facing the harbour, the River Gate behind the Škurda channel and the Gurdić Gate over the southern spring.

The clock tower, Kampana tower and Gurdić bastion mark the stages most visitors meet on the fortress climb, which carries a paid entry from the town side between April and October while the Špiljari back trail stays free. Late afternoon light favours the upper sections, and the lower ramparts can be walked in ordinary shoes.