San Giovanni’s Stairway

Save
Share

Be the first one to rate! Submit Review

Details
Reviews
Contact Info

San Giovanni’s stairway, often referred to as the steps leading up to San Giovanni Fortress, is a historic stone route ascending from Kotor Old Town toward the upper defensive structures above the town. The stairway forms a vital physical link between the fortified urban core and the mountain landscape that dominates Kotor’s historic setting.

The stairway developed as part of the town’s wider defensive system during the medieval and early modern periods, when controlled access between the town and its elevated fortifications was essential. Its route follows the natural contours of the steep terrain, allowing movement of soldiers, supplies, and watch patrols while minimising exposure to attack.

Constructed primarily from local stone, the stairway consists of approximately 1,350 uneven steps, bordered in places by low retaining walls. The design prioritised durability and function rather than comfort, reflecting its original military purpose. Over successive centuries, sections were repaired and reinforced as part of broader maintenance of the town’s fortifications.

Beyond its defensive role, the stairway also held religious and social significance. Along the ascent are small devotional sites, including the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, which served as stopping points during religious processions and periods of collective prayer. This dual use illustrates how defence, faith, and daily life were closely intertwined in historic Kotor.

The stairway also shaped how the town related to its surrounding environment. By physically connecting the Old Town with the slopes above, it reinforced the strategic importance of elevation while integrating fortifications into the natural landscape rather than separating them from it.

Today, San Giovanni’s stairway remains one of the most recognisable features of the historic ascent above the town. Within the broader context of historic routes and structures in Kotor, it offers a clear insight into the town’s defensive planning, religious traditions, and long-term interaction between architecture and terrain.