Herceg Novi

Foundation and Early Mentions

The city's history dates back to 1382, when the Bosnian King Tvrtko I Kotromanić founded a fortress at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. Initially, the settlement was named Sveti Stefan (Saint Stephen), but over time, a simpler name stuck—Novi (New), or Castelnuovo in Italian sources.

The city acquired its modern name, Herceg Novi, later in the 15th century, in honor of Duke (Herceg) Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, who significantly expanded and strengthened its borders, turning it into an important administrative center.

Key Factors in its Establishment

The growth and significance of the city were driven by several strategic reasons:

• Trade Independence: Tvrtko I founded the city with the aim of establishing his own salt trade and creating competition for the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik), which monopolized the market at that time.
• Geography: Its location right at the entrance to the Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor) allowed for the control of maritime routes and provided defense for the inner territories of the bay.
• Military Importance: Thanks to its powerful walls and advantageous position, the city quickly became a key defensive point on the Adriatic.

Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics

In the first centuries of its existence, Herceg Novi's economy was built around salt warehouses, maritime trade, and servicing the military garrison. It was a fortress city where commerce was closely intertwined with military affairs.

Its cultural identity was formed at the crossroads of civilizations. Due to its strategic position, the city was often a prize in the struggle between major powers—the Venetian Republic, the Ottoman Empire, and Spain. Each side brought its own architectural and cultural traditions, resulting in a unique blend of styles in the ancient forts and towers.

Chronology of Historical Events

• 1382 — Bosnian King Tvrtko I founds the fortified settlement of Sveti Stefan to establish an independent salt trade.
• 1482 — The city is captured by the Ottoman Empire, under whose rule it remains for two centuries.
• 1538 — The Spanish fleet temporarily occupies the city and begins construction of the Španjola fortress, which survives to this day.
• 1539 — The famous admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa returns the city to Ottoman control after the brief Spanish rule.
• 1687 — The Venetian Republic, under the command of Girolamo Cornaro, conquers Herceg Novi, bringing Italian influence to the architecture.
• 1797 — After the fall of the Venetian Republic, the city passes to Austrian rule under the Treaty of Campo Formio.
• 1806–1807 — During the Napoleonic Wars, the city is briefly under a Russian protectorate.
• 1814 — The Congress of Vienna officially assigns Herceg Novi to the Austrian Empire, where it remains for over a hundred years.
• 1918 — After the collapse of Austro-Hungary, the city becomes part of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
• 1944 — Herceg Novi is liberated from occupation, becoming part of socialist Yugoslavia.
• 1979 — A powerful earthquake causes damage to the historical center, followed by a large-scale restoration program.
• 2006 — Following the proclamation of Montenegrin independence, the city becomes a popular resort within the sovereign state.

Key Development Milestones and Urban Transformation

The development of Herceg Novi followed a non-linear path: from a strictly military fortress to a center of elite and wellness tourism. Each era left its mark on the street layouts, the economic structure, and the city's overall appearance.

• Ottoman Urbanization (15th–17th centuries)
  The basic structure of the Upper Town was formed during this period. The main urban legacy was the construction of the formidable Kanli Kula (Bloody Tower) and a water supply system.
  Significance: The transformation of the settlement into an impregnable outpost, which defined the city's complex vertical layout with its numerous stairs.
• Venetian Architectural Reconstruction (late 17th – 18th century)
  With the arrival of the Venetians, the city began to acquire typical Mediterranean features. The Forte Mare fortress was reconstructed, Catholic churches were built, and the city center shifted closer to the sea.
  Significance: Integration into the European trade system and the formation of the recognizable architectural style of the old center.
• Austrian Infrastructural Modernization (19th – early 20th century)
  Austro-Hungary invested significantly in civil infrastructure: roads were built, forts on Mamula Island and Cape Arza were strengthened, and a railway was laid (in Zelenika).
  Significance: The transition from a medieval way of life to a modern urban economy, improving logistics and connections with the outside world.
• The Birth of the "Botanical Garden of the Adriatic" (19th–20th centuries)
  During this period, a tradition was born that became the economic and cultural foundation of the city: local sailors began bringing back exotic plants (palms, magnolias, mimosas, eucalyptus) from their long voyages.
  Significance: The formation of a unique microclimate and the image of a "city of flowers," which subsequently became the main magnet for tourists.
• Development of the Health Cluster (second half of the 20th century)
  The opening of the Institute of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Rheumatology in Igalo (a suburb of Herceg Novi) put the city on the international stage of medical tourism.
  Significance: Economic diversification, allowing the city to host guests year-round rather than just during the summer season.
• Cultural Branding (since 1969)
  The establishment of the annual Mimosa Festival became a key marketing move.
  Significance: The creation of a strong tourism brand that attracts tens of thousands of guests during the "dead" winter season and supports the city's economic activity.
• Modern Renovation and Elite Tourism (21st century)
  The reconstruction of the Pet Danica promenade and the construction of premium complexes in the municipality (such as Portonovi in Kumbor).
  Significance: A shift in development focus from mass budget vacations to attracting a more affluent audience and developing yacht tourism.

Architectural Identity and Urban Planning

Herceg Novi is often called the "City of a Thousand Steps" due to its unique vertical urban layout. The city's architectural landscape is like a stone chronicle, where each layer corresponds to the reign of a different power—from the Ottoman Empire and Venice to Austro-Hungary and Yugoslavia. Unlike neighboring Kotor or Dubrovnik, there is no single architectural style here; instead, there is a picturesque eclecticism that bridges East and West.

Urban Development

The city developed as a system of fortifications descending in terraces from the mountains to the sea. The historical core (Old Town) is enclosed within a ring of fortress walls. The urban fabric is woven with a network of narrow alleys and steep stairways (skalinade) that connect the main squares at various elevations.

Key Styles and Historical Eras

The succession of rulers directly influenced the city's architectural code, creating a unique synthesis of styles:

• Ottoman Fortification (15th–17th centuries): The period of Turkish rule left the city with powerful defensive structures and elements of Eastern planning. Buildings from this era are characterized by their massiveness, rough stonework, and functionality.
• Venetian Baroque and Renaissance (17th–18th centuries): The arrival of the Venetians brought refinement to the fortress's rugged appearance. During this period, forts were rebuilt, Catholic churches appeared with characteristic "distaff" bell towers and elegant portals, and city piazzas (squares) were formed.
• Historicism and Eclecticism (19th – early 20th century): The Austro-Hungarian period was marked by the construction of administrative and public buildings combining elements of Romanesque, Byzantine, and Gothic architecture. This was a time of active civil construction and the landscaping of parks.
• Yugoslav Modernism (20th century): In the post-war years, especially in the Igalo district, large sanatorium complexes and hotels made of concrete and glass appeared, reflecting the functionalist approach of socialist architecture.

Landmark Buildings Shaping the Cityscape

Key landmarks in Herceg Novi serve as reference points in its complex topography:

• Kanli Kula Fortress (Bloody Tower): A striking example of Ottoman military architecture. This massive citadel dominating the city has today been transformed into one of the most beautiful summer amphitheaters on the Adriatic.
• Clock Tower (Sahat Kula): Built in 1667 by order of Sultan Mahmud. It is a symbol of the city and the main gateway to the Old Town. Despite its Ottoman origins, its upper "crenels" resemble a chess rook, giving it a unique look.
• Forte Mare Fortress: Originally founded by a Bosnian king, it was significantly rebuilt by the Venetians and Austrians, showcasing layers of engineering solutions from different eras right at the water's edge.
• Church of the Archangel Michael: Located on Belavista Square (Duke Stefan Square). This is a jewel of early 20th-century eclecticism (built in 1911), harmoniously combining Byzantine domes, Romanesque arches, and Gothic details.
• Španjola Fortress: Situated high above the city. Although the Spanish began construction in 1538, it acquired its current appearance under the Ottomans. It is a classic example of a four-bastion fort that has preserved its authentic layout.

Notable Figures of Herceg Novi

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of rulers, admirals, saints, and figures from the world of art. Thanks to its strategic position and unique climate, Herceg Novi has for centuries attracted people who left a significant mark on the history of the Balkans and Europe.

• Stefan Tvrtko I Kotromanić (14th century)
  King of Bosnia, Founder of the City
  A key figure in the region's history. It was he who, in 1382, laid the first stone of the Sveti Stefan fortress (the future Herceg Novi), seeking to create an independent port for the salt trade and break free from the economic dependence on Dubrovnik.
• Stjepan Vukčić Kosača (15th century)
  Grand Voivode, Duke (Herceg) of Saint Sava
  The man who gave the city its modern name. He significantly strengthened and expanded the settlement, making it his winter residence. The title of the ruler ("Herceg") became fixed in the city's name—Herceg Novi ("The Duke's New City").
• Marko Vojnović (1750–1807)
  Admiral of the Imperial Russian Navy
  A native of Herceg Novi from a noble Boka family. He entered history as one of the founders of the Black Sea Fleet. He commanded the first Sevastopol squadron and made a significant contribution to the development of naval affairs of his time.
• Petar II Petrović-Njegoš (1813–1851)
  Prince-Bishop of Montenegro, Poet, and Philosopher
  The great Montenegrin ruler and writer spent his youth in Herceg Novi. He learned to read and write and studied the basics of faith at the Savina Monastery and the parish school at the Church of St. George in the Topla district. It is believed that the beauty of the Bay of Kotor inspired his first poetic lines.
• Saint Leopold Mandić (1866–1942)
  Catholic Priest, Capuchin Monk
  Born in Herceg Novi to a large Croatian family. Known as the "Apostle of the Confessional" and an advocate for Christian unity. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1983. His hometown remains an important place of pilgrimage.
• Ivo Andrić (1892–1975)
  Writer, Diplomat, Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature
  The only Yugoslav Nobel laureate chose Herceg Novi as his home in his later years. He built a house here (now a museum), where he spent time with his wife. Andrić called the city a place of "eternal greenery, sun, and steps."
• Zuko Džumhur (1920–1989)
  Writer, Painter, and Cartoonist
  A legendary Yugoslav bohemian figure who spent the last decades of his life in Herceg Novi. He celebrated the city's relaxed pace of life and became one of its unofficial symbols, attracting artists and intellectuals from all over the country.