Herceg-Novi, the town of sunshine, flowers, painters and poets, is situated at the terraces of mountain Orien slopes. From the fortresses, steps and belfries of this town you can see entrance of the Boka Bay and also the open sea.

 

 

 

A few years ago the tourist brochures stated that Herceg Novi was “a stone picture and a master piece of civilization, but it is also a marvelous botanic garden”. It has existed for seven centuries. Its dense Mediterranean greenery, unusual scenery around is mostly the result of generations of seamen bringing and planting the seeds of palms, oleanders, eucalyptus, agaves, cactuses, bamboos, magnolias, and the other exotic plants. This town of “the eternal greenery, sun and promenades” was described by the Nobel Prize recipient Ivo Andric, who like many other writers, "spent the autumn of his life” in Herceg Novi.

 

It was established by the Bosnian king Tvrtko I in the spring of 1382. His successor and nephew Stjepan Vukcic - Kosaca, known as Herceg Stjepan, made it a town. The town was named after him. Along with its neighbor Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi became a significant economic, political, and cultural center by the sea.

 

 

 

Not only the Turks were trying to control it but the Spanish, the Venicians, the French, the Russians, and the Austria-Hungarians as well. Every imperial and major power has left significant traces of their civilization in numerous fortifications and in sacral and other constructions. That is why Herceg Novi is a treasury of different styles, from oriental to baroque architecture. The most significant towers are Forte Mare, Spanjola, and Kanli-Kula. Two of these towers are turned into summer stages where traditional film, musical and theater festivals take place. The fortresses on the little islands of Mamula, Prevlaka and Arza are located at the very entrance of Boka Kotorska bay, and they represent the monuments and heritage of the hundred year reign of the Austria-Hungarian empire.

 

The Savina Monastery, is the most dominant sacral structure and one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture on the Adriatic . It was begun in 1030 with the construction of a Little church. During the Venician reign, many significant structures were built such as the St. Jeronimo’s church, the St. Antun church, the St. Franjo’s church and last but not least the church of St. Leopold Mandic.


   

If you have some writing or painting aspirations, Herceg Novi is a real workshop where your imagination can easily be turned into a real piece of art. Besides writers and film people, this town is also a town of painters with about ten galleries and numerous painting exhibitions during the year. One of these exhibitions is “The winter fine art fair”.

The oldest festival in the town is the festival of Mimosas, which takes place during January and February. The celebration, in honor of this flower, lasts for weeks.

History admirers can visit the National museum where they can see valuable collections of religious items of Herceg Novi.

 

The Herceg Hovi Riviera has attractive beaches, like Zanjic on the Lustica peninsula and mountain place for excursion like Borici on the slopes of Orjen. Igalo is famous for its beautiful beaches, amusement parks, nice promenade and numerous national restaurants first line to the sea. Beside that, it is an amasing place for recreation. Among other interesting things, it is also famous for its sport-recreational centre 'Dr. Simo Milosevic', which is a well-known spa with curable mud. It offers many possibilities for an active holiday and relaxation.

 

Even the choosiest searchers for the world’s beautiful places can find it here on the promenades and stairways in the heart of old town. You could say that every step you take here is a new discovery and a new story.