Crkva Svetog Mihaila (Church of St. Michael), Kotor

Crkva Svetog Mihaila (Church of St. Michael), Kotor

Saint Michael's Church stands as a testament to centuries of history, with its origins tracing back to the early Christian era. Originally built in Romano-Gothic style at the end of the 13th century, it stands upon the foundations of a 12th-century Romanesque church, which itself was erected on the remains of a 6th-century basilica. In the mid-15th century, a distinctive bell tower in the shape of a distaff was added above the entrance, housing two bells. Records indicate that the church once stood alongside one of Kotor's principal medieval streets.

Archaeological excavations have unveiled numerous stone artifacts from the pre-Romanesque era, including fragments of parapet slabs, columns, altar partitions, and architectural decorations. Inside the church, remnants of fresco paintings from the 15th depict Christ Pantocrator and the Assumption of Christ, attributed to the renowned Gothic painter Lovro Dobričević.

Despite facing challenges, such as serving as a storage area for French occupying troops in the 19th century, the church underwent extensive restoration in the 1980s, returning it to its original condition. Since 2004, it houses the Kotor Lapidarium, showcasing a remarkable collection of artifacts spanning various historical periods, making it a significant cultural attraction open to the public.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kotor. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Crkva Svetog Mihaila (Church of St. Michael) on Map

Sight Name: Crkva Svetog Mihaila (Church of St. Michael)
Sight Location: Kotor, Montenegro (See walking tours in Kotor)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Kotor, Montenegro

Create Your Own Walk in Kotor

Create Your Own Walk in Kotor

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kotor is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Kotor Old City Walking Tour

Kotor Old City Walking Tour

Nestled on the shores of the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of the surrounding mountains, the beautiful fortified city of old town Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While it receives less attention than many other settlements from the same period, Kotor is visited by more tourists every year.

The port here has been in use since Ancient Roman times, but most of the fortifications were built...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Kotor Palaces Walking Tour

Kotor Palaces Walking Tour

This magnificent historic city is home to a number of wonderful palaces. Many of these beautifully ornamented mansions belonged to wealthy and influential families. Visitors can trace the history of each building by looking at the coats of arms of noble families and the paintings on the walls. Take this self-guided tour to see these beautiful historical palaces in Kotor.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Kotor's Historical Churches Walking Tour

Kotor's Historical Churches Walking Tour

Kotor, a picturesque coastal town in Montenegro, albeit small, nonetheless, boasts a surprising number of historical churches that beautifully reflect its centuries-old heritage. Many of these temples are richly decorated with frescoes, some dating as far back as the 1300s.

At the heart of the town lies Saint Tryphon Square dominated by the eponymous cathedral, an iconic landmark from the 12th...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.5 Km or 0.3 Miles