KOTOR FORTS – IMPERIAL DREAMS HIDDEN BUT NOT COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN

Rotating Gruson turret formerly holding 120 mm mortars at Goražda fort - Kotor seen beyond to the right.
Rotating Gruson turret formerly holding 120 mm mortars at Goražda fort one of the Kotor forts – Kotor seen beyond to the right.

One of the true gems of the Mediterranean world is the little town of Kotor lying at the head of a ten-mile-long fjord system flanked by huge peaks rising over 4,000 feet above the waters.  Lying deep in its mountain fastness, Kotor positively exudes magic, even in the wake of ever-increasing numbers of tourists and development threatening to divest the enchantment.  Hidden amongst the cliffs and peaks the bays and fjords lie 83 forts around Cattaro erected during the 19th century by the military of the Austrian empire.  Their role, to both defend the Bocce di Cattaro – Bay of Kotor – from sea and land attack.

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