Crkva Svetog Luke (Church of St. Luke), Kotor
Alongside the Church of Saint Nicholas lies one of Kotor's five remaining sacred structures built in the Romanesque style. Dating back to 1195, during the Serbian Nemanjić dynasty, it has a single nave layout with a circular-based dome over the central aisle, a semicircular apse on the east end, and a portal on the west side. Despite its modest size compared to its neighbors, like the grand Saint Nicholas, this structure's smaller stature actually worked in its favor, sparing it from earthquake damage that affected many others in town.
Shortly after its completion, Saint Luke's was adorned with frescoes, though only fragments remain on the southern wall. The impressive iconostasis, crafted by Dimitrije Daskal, hails from the 17th-century Boka Kotorska painting school.
What further sets the church apart is its history of housing both Catholic and Orthodox altars. In 1657, during a Turkish invasion, the population of Grbalj sought refuge in Kotor, and the Venetian authorities allowed them to use the then-Catholic place of worship for Orthodox services. This led to the installation of two altars, which remained in use until the French occupation from 1807 to 1814.
An intriguing detail lies beneath your feet in this sacred spot – the floor is comprised of tombstones from communal graves of Kotor's residents. Burials took place within the church until the 1930s, adding another layer of history to this fascinating site.
Shortly after its completion, Saint Luke's was adorned with frescoes, though only fragments remain on the southern wall. The impressive iconostasis, crafted by Dimitrije Daskal, hails from the 17th-century Boka Kotorska painting school.
What further sets the church apart is its history of housing both Catholic and Orthodox altars. In 1657, during a Turkish invasion, the population of Grbalj sought refuge in Kotor, and the Venetian authorities allowed them to use the then-Catholic place of worship for Orthodox services. This led to the installation of two altars, which remained in use until the French occupation from 1807 to 1814.
An intriguing detail lies beneath your feet in this sacred spot – the floor is comprised of tombstones from communal graves of Kotor's residents. Burials took place within the church until the 1930s, adding another layer of history to this fascinating site.
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.
Crkva Svetog Luke (Church of St. Luke) on Map
Sight Name: Crkva Svetog Luke (Church of St. Luke)
Sight Location: Kotor, Montenegro (See walking tours in Kotor)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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
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'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
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
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
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
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
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