San Giovanni

San Giovanni is the fortress that dominates the hilltop above Kotor Old Town, sitting at the highest point of the fortification system that climbs the steep mou…San Giovanni is the fortress that dominates the hilltop above Kotor Old Town, sitting at the highest point of the fortification system that climbs the steep mountainside. The fortress and its connected walls were built and reinforced over several centuries by Illyrian, Byzantine, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian rulers. The structure sits at approximately 280 metres above sea level, with the town walls ascending the slope in a continuous line from the Old Town below. From the fortress, the full layout of the bay and surrounding mountains is visible.

The fortress is reached by climbing the town walls stairway, approximately 1,350 steps beginning inside the Old Town. The climb takes between thirty minutes and an hour. An entrance fee applies at the base. The path is uneven and steep, and sturdy footwear is recommended.

No facilities are available at the top. An alternative path from the rear of the mountain also reaches the fortress area.