- Address: Trg Sv. Nikole Stari grad bb, Municipality Kotor 85330, Montenegro
- Opening hours: 8:00 - 21:00, daily
- Year of foundation: 1909
- Condition: current
- Confession: Orthodoxy (Serbian Church)
- Metropolis: Montenegrin-Primorye
- Website: mitropolija.com
In the northern part of the Montenegrin city of Kotor there is an amazing Orthodox church of St. Nicholas (Nikola or St. Nicholas Orthodox Church). It attracts the attention not only of pilgrims, but also of tourists who wish to get acquainted with the history of the Orthodox church.
Description of the shrine
The construction of the cathedral church began in 1902. Previously, this place was a temple, which in 1896 was burnt by a lightning strike. From him there was only the golden cross presented to Metropolitan Peter II of Nyegosha by Catherine the Great. In 7 years after the beginning of the erection, in 1909, the ringing of the bells called the parishioners for the first service. The date of foundation is indicated on the facade of the building.
The main architect was the well-known Croatian specialist Choril Ivekovic. The temple is made in Byzantine style, it has one nave and 2 bell towers, located on the main facade. Thanks to this, the church is clearly visible from different points of the city.
The main entrance of the shrine is on St. Luke's Square, it is decorated with a mosaic depiction of St. Nicholas. The city wall adjoins the temple, from where the best view of the church opens.
What can you see in the temple?
The interior of the church of St. Nicholas strikes with its beauty and richness. The premises here are large and spacious, and the iconostasis attracts attention from any corner, because its height reaches 3 m. It is decorated with silver ornament and decorated with crosses, candlesticks and other objects. Its author is the Czech artist Frantisek Singer.
In the temple there is a large collection of rare icons, for example, revered by the Serbs of the Holy Mother of God. In the vestry there are:
- ancient handwritten and church printed books (the work "The Sacrifice of Abraham", published in 1799);
- archival documents that survived the fire;
- ancient vestments of priests;
- art products;
- valuable things, presented by grateful pilgrims and prosperous believers.
In the courtyard of the temple there is a spring, which is famous for its curative properties. Here you can refresh yourself in the summer heat, dial holy water, because it is not only useful, but also very tasty.
What else is famous about the shrine?
The Church of St. Nicholas is the main temple of the city of Kotor and, accordingly, the largest. It protects travelers and sailors, belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Montenegrin-Primorsky Metropolis. Therefore, the facade of the building is decorated with the flag of the neighboring country.
This is the only temple in the village, where daily worship is performed. The service is accompanied by a terrific male choir and is conducted 2 times a day:
- at 08:00 in the morning passes the morning;
- at 21:00 - the evening.
They sell unusual thick candles, which need to be pinned on the rod. Workers of the church and priests speak Russian well, so you will not have the problems to order a liturgy, listen to a prayer service or buy the necessary goods. To go into the temple should be in clothes, which closes the knees and shoulders, and women must always cover their heads.
In 2009, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. By this date, the temple was a comprehensive reconstruction. In 2014 4 large new icons, created by the Russian artist Sergey Prisekin, were brought here. They depict the evangelists: Luke, John, Mark and Matthew.
How to get there?
From the center of Kotor to the church, you can walk or drive by car through Ulica 2 (sjever-jug). Travel time is up to 15 minutes.