Kotor: The City of Cats
Kotor is best known to travelers as a medieval walled city with UNESCO heritage status.
It boasts ancient stone churches, courtyards and pathways, the remains of an ancient fortification system, and a setting of great scenic beauty.
Kotor often features in Top City lists for cat-loving travelers.
It is said that cats first appeared in Montenegro long ago, when sailors brought their ships into port.
After traveling all over the world, the ships held feline “sailors,” who kept rats and mice out of the supplies and goods on board. Once securely docked, the feline sailors would head into the towns along the bay and take up permanent residence.
Long-time residents of the area do their best to feed and care for the population in and around Stari Grad, the Old Town. But the population of cats is often out of control because many cat owners see is as a safe area to dump unwanted cats and kittens. It is free of cars, has very few unleashed dogs, and cats are regularly fed by locals and tourists.