The Bay of Kotor is the shining star of Montenegro. A huge number of books and works of art were inspired by it. Guidebooks for the most popular locations in the Bay of Kotor are available in abundance. However, the small intimate town of Prčanj is almost always missing from them. I find it hard to understand why since the town was a developed and populated seaside town some time ago. Numerous well-known captains, sailors and artists were born here. Nowadays, the Bay provides a glimpse of an ancient paradise.
The road through Prčanj is narrow and borders the sea shore. Be careful and do not drive over 40 km/h.
Summary
Prčanj is located opposite of Kotor and Dobrota. It is a small town; the population does not exceed 3,000. It is located on the very edge of the sea shore. The only passable road here is the seaside road. In summer, tourists from Croatia, Serbia and the rest of the Europe come here. Though there are no developed beaches, large shopping centres or particularly significant sights, most tourists here are regulars. The charm of the town lies in its slow place, which you will not sense if you just drive through, so to experience Prčanj stop, park your car and take a walk along the quay.
Most buildings by the sea were built in the XVII-XIX centuries. Thus, the town has retained its original splendor of time gone by. At the central square near the post office, Centr cafe and the lighthouse there is an ancient Catholic church of St. Nicholas with the remains of old Franciscan monastery adjacent to it.
Near the monastery, you will find a stairway to one of the most beautiful and mysterious churches of the Bay of Kotor – the Catholic church of Our Lady (Bogorodicin hram). The beauty and decorative features in this church are unrivaled in most churches of the Bay. It is also one of the largest churches here which is quite mysterious since Prcanj was always a small town. There was simply no need for such a large church especially considering St. Trifon in nearby Kotor and other churches. Who built this exquisite masterpiece, when and why, is still largely unknown. Maybe, the Knights of Malta were involved, rumour has it that they hid their treasure at the Bay of Kotor before the invasion of Napoleon.
The other mystery that lies within the enigmatic drawings on the stone walls on the outside of the church. They fill the entire perimeter, some parts are even highlighted with paint. Maybe they are also linked to the same Knights?
After visiting the church and seeing the views of Prcanj from the top, be sure to visit a small restaurant at the beginning of the stairs near the shore. They serve perhaps the best seafood spaghetti in Montenegro and tea is served in fancy homemade cups.
After Prcanj, the road continues along the sea. The next town, Stoliv, is unremarkable. Still, it has a couple of sand and pebble beaches. There is also the largest antique shop in Montenegro which is in a house near the road. There are always antiques on the porch, so you will easily find it. The shop sells hundreds of items; from books and ancient coins to phone switchboard and old weapons.
After Stoliv, you reach the coast near the Verige strait. It is the narrowest part of the Bay, make sure to stop at the special viewing spot. There is a fine view of the strait, the town of Perast across it and two islands in between; Sv Đorđe and Gospa od Škrpjela.
Beneath the road and the viewing site, you will see a lighthouse and a caved-in church roof. Take a pathway downstairs and you will be able to visit this remarkable church. It is in fact a small chapel, which has battlement defenses, walls, gates and slits. It is now in poor condition but worth seeing. There an inscription in Latin and a Maltese cross over one of the doorways.
