Montenegro's Pompeii at the foot of Mount Rumija
Stari Bar is the most significant tourist site on the Bar Riviera — a hill encircled by walls at the foot of Mount Rumija, just 3 km from the sea. Within the ramparts lie the remains of more than 240 buildings: churches, mosques, a hamam, a clock tower, a citadel, and a restored aqueduct that supplied the city with drinking water for centuries. The city was the centre of the Duchy of Duklja, an archbishopric seat from 1089, and over the centuries it was ruled by the Nemanjić dynasty, the Venetians, and the Ottomans. The catastrophic earthquake of 1979 and two ammunition explosions in 1881 and 1912 left the city in ruins that today intrigue archaeologists and visitors from around the world.
Location
3 km from the sea, at the foot of Rumija
First mention
9th century
Archbishopric since
1089
Complex area
approximately 4 ha
Recommended duration
Half a day
Mountain in the background
Rumija
Highlights
The heart of Stari Bar is the fortress, which spans about 4 hectares and forms a true labyrinth of buildings in varying states of preservation. At the highest point stands the Tatarovica citadel from the 14th century — the city's last line of defence — from which the finest views of the entire complex, the valley, and the mountain peaks can be enjoyed. The entrance gate was originally part of a large tower, and later a church, and bears a well-preserved relief of the Venetian lion. The 16th-century walls were built by the Venetians, who ruled the city from the 15th century until 1571, when the Ottomans took control.
One of the most impressive feats of engineering on the Montenegrin coast, the aqueduct supplied Stari Bar with drinking water for centuries. Originally of Roman construction, the Ottomans improved it by installing ceramic pipes and sealing the top to prevent water poisoning during sieges. The aqueduct was destroyed in the catastrophic earthquake of 1979 but was subsequently restored and is now one of the most visited attractions in the complex. In 1878, the Montenegrins cut off the Ottoman garrison's water supply by mining the aqueduct, forcing it to surrender.
Right next to the entrance to Stari Bar stands the Omerbašić Mosque from 1662, one of the best-preserved Ottoman structures in Montenegro. Nearby is the tomb of the dervish Hasan and an old fountain with an inscription in Arabic — witnesses to centuries of Ottoman presence. Within the walls, the hamam — a Turkish bathhouse from the Ottoman period — is also preserved, and together with the powder magazine it forms a unique ensemble from the era when Stari Bar was a vital centre of Ottoman administration on the Adriatic coast.
Within the walls of Stari Bar, two Gothic churches from the 14th and 15th centuries are preserved — St. Catherine's and St. Venera's. The Church of St. Catherine, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style, dates from the 14th century and was reconstructed in 2018. The Church of St. Nicholas, built in 1288 by Jelena, wife of Serbian King Uroš I, lies in ruins. Stari Bar was also the seat of an archbishopric from 1089, and the Archbishop's Palace within the walls now houses the city museum, where visitors can learn more about the various civilisations that left their mark here.
The clock tower is perhaps the most recognisable visual symbol of Stari Bar and one of the first buildings a visitor sees upon arrival. It is of Ottoman construction, although it is possible that the original tower was Venetian. It was restored in 1753 as a charitable endowment of Yahya-aga. Like most buildings in Stari Bar, the clock tower was destroyed in the 1979 earthquake and subsequently rebuilt. Today it is one of the most photographed features of the entire complex and an unmissable stop on any tour.
What to do
Wandering among the remains of 240 buildings from different eras within the walls of Stari Bar.
tap to closeCapturing the architecture, panoramic views of Mount Rumija, and the Adriatic Sea.
tap to closeClimbing up to the Tatarovica citadel at the highest point of the fortress for the best panoramic view.
tap to closeShopping for authentic souvenirs, olive oil, and handicrafts in the lower town of Stari Bar.
tap to closeGallery
Plan Your Visit
08:00 – 20:00 (summer, Monday–Saturday); shorter opening hours outside the season
2 EUR adults (fortress entry); walking through the old town is free
Two larger car parks next to the fortress entrance; free or for a nominal fee during the season
The terrain consists of uneven cobblestones and dirt paths — not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs
http://starigradbar.com
FAQ
