3 Legends About the Birth of Kotor: Did Fairies and Gods Choose This Place?
Did Fairies and Gods Choose Kotor? 3 Legends Behind Its Birth
Kotor, the jewel of the Bay of Kotor and one of the most stunning towns on the Adriatic coast, has always inspired awe. Nestled tightly between the sea and steep mountain cliffs, it feels as if it was deliberately placed there—by someone, for a reason.
That very sense of wonder—that Kotor wasn’t simply born by chance—sparked centuries of legends involving gods, fairies, and mythical beings. These tales, passed down through generations, are today recognized as part of Montenegro’s intangible cultural heritage.
Here are three of the most cherished legends about how Kotor emerged from stone and sea.
The Fairy Alkima and the Golden Moonlit Ship
High above the Bay of Kotor once stood a settlement called Pestingrad, near a cave known as Vilinica. In this mystical cave lived Alkima—a wise and powerful fairy, one of the many who guarded the mountains above the bay.
When sailors arrived and planned to build a city atop Pestingrad’s cliffs, Alkima intervened. She warned them:
“On the mountain, there is no water, no salt, no life. Build by the sea—for only the sea knows how to feed and protect you.”
The sailors listened. Instead of building on the harsh mountain, they chose the calmer coastal shore. Thus, according to legend, Kotor was born—from a fairy’s wisdom and mankind’s humility.
To this day, near Vilinica cave, stands a strange stone formation resembling giant doors, known as the Fairy’s Gate. Locals say that at a certain hour of the night, you can glimpse a golden crescent moon—like a ship sailing the sky. And seated at the gate is Alkima, waiting for her moonlit ship to sail across the bay. Only the chosen ones can see her, they say—not just anyone.
The Colchians and the Golden Fleece
Another tale takes us far back into mythic times. In this version, Kotor wasn’t founded by chance, but by the Colchians, who journeyed with the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece.
Guided by divine signs, the Colchians are said to have discovered a sacred spot along the bay—left as a marker by the gods. Entranced by its beauty and position, they chose it as the site of a new settlement, which would later become Kotor.
This legend doesn’t just tie Kotor to the sea, but places it within one of the greatest stories of Greek mythology—alongside legendary heroic sites of the ancient world.
The Emperor’s City by the Sea
The third tale brings us once again to a fairy—but this time, she advises a king.
According to legend, a fairy dwelling in the Montenegrin mountains watched the world from above and understood the sea’s logic better than any man. When Emperor Stefan planned to build a city high on a hill, the fairy appeared and told him:
“On the hill, there’s no harbor for ships, no water for horses. Without the sea, there is no life.”
The emperor’s wisdom lay in listening. He chose to build the city where the mountain gently met the sea—a place that could nourish, protect, and connect.
Thus, in this version, Kotor was born through an alliance of royal power, nature’s laws, and invisible forces.
A City of Stories, A City of Spirit - Kotor
Kotor is one of the rare places whose soul isn’t bound solely to historical facts—but also to legend. Its striking beauty, mystic setting, and surreal ambiance feel less like a man-made creation, and more like the work of a higher power.
It’s no wonder the locals believed for centuries that fairies whispered to sailors, mythical tribes left signs, and rulers were led by something greater. These aren’t just tales told to tourists—
They’re part of Kotor’s identity.
Part of why, even today, this town feels more enchanted than simply built.
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