Fortifications of Kotor The fortifications of Kotor ( Italian : Cattaro ) are an integrated historical fortification system that protected the medieval town of Kotor containing rampart s , towers , citadel s , gate s , bastion s , fort s , cistern s , a castle , and ancillary buildings and structures . They incorporate military architecture of Illyricum , Byzantium , Venice , and Austria . Together with the old town and its natural surroundings the fortifications were inscribed in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 labelled " Natural and Culturo - Historical Region of Kotor " and represent the only such site of cultural significance in Montenegro . History . The top of the mountain of St . John was already fortified during Illyrian time . In the 6th century the emperor Justinian I reconstructed the fortress . With the retreat of the Byzantines , eventually and in spite of numerous incursions some independence was attained , however this had no lasting effects upon the fortifications . This changed when in 1420 the then independent Republic of Cattaro succumbed to Venetian rule . As part of Albania Veneta the fortifications received their current structure . During this time there were two successful Ottoman sieges followed by occupations , 1538 – 1571 and 1657 – 1699 . In 1797 the fortifications passed to the Habsburg Monarchy with the Treaty of Campo Formio . In 1805 , Kotor was assigned to the French Empire ' s client state , the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy by the Treaty of Pressburg , but occupied by Russian troops under Dmitry Senyavin until they left after the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807 . Three years later it was incorporated into the French Empire ' s Illyrian Provinces . The fortifications ( then named Cattaro ) were attacked by the British naval Captain William Hoste with his ship HMS " Bacchante " ( 38 guns ) . In an " unmilitary manner " he hauled his ships ' cannon to positions above the fort using block and tackle and started the shelling . After a ten day siege , the French garrison had no alternative and surrendered on January 5 , 1814 . With the Congress of Vienna Kotor was returned to the Austrian Empire . After their defeat in World War I the Austrians left and the fortress was not longer manned . During World War II Kotor was occupied by the Axis forces and liberated on November 21 , 1944 , a date commemorated over the Sea Gate . Severe earthquakes that damaged the fortifications occurred in 1563 , 1667 , and most recently , on April 15 , 1979 . Description . The medieval part of the town of Kotor is located on a triangular piece of land that is bordered by the most inner extension of the Bay of Kotor at its south - western side , the river Skurda toward the North , and the mountain of St . John ( San Giovanni ) towards the East . City walls protect the city on its northern and south - western side , towards the waters . The walls are fortified by bastions , most prominent the Kampana tower and citadel ( 13th to 14th century ) near the point where the river enters the bay . Close to it is the Sea Gate ( also Main Gate ) from 1555 allowing access from the bay , the two other gates to the city are the River Gate ( also North Gate ) from 1540 with the nearby Bembo Bastion from 1540 and the Gurdic Gate ( also South Gate ) , the latter modified many times and fortified by the Gurdic Bastion from 1470 . The Bembo Bastion has been converted into an open theatre . Two additional gates were present , one walled up south of the Sea Gate , the other , Spiljarskia Gate , within the ramparts of the hillside towards the old road to Cetinje . From the Bembo Bastion and the Gurdic Bastion ramparts climb up to the top of the St . John Mountain that backs the city . The ramparts have positions at various points ; within them is a network of communications as well as additional buildings including the Church of Our Lady of Remedy from 1518 . On top of the mountain is the San Giovanni castel at a 280 meter height dominating the eastern bay , the fortification system and the city . Behind the castle hill the inhabitable and mountainous countryside further ascends toward the Lovcen . The circumference of the outer wall is 4 . 5 km , with a thickness between 2 to 16 m , and a height up to 20 m . Preservation . The 1979 earthquake damaged much of the buildings in Kotor including the fortifications . The site was placed on the World Heritage List the same year , and also on the List in Danger . After rehabilitation it was taken off the latter in 2003 , however , most of the rehabilitation took place in the old town . The fortifications are the most significant aspect of the World Heritage site and while they contain elements of different epochs , it was the Venetians who constructed most of the present structures . As such the monument represents one of the most important examples of defensive Venetian military architecture . The International Council on Monuments and Sites urged in 2001 the revitalization of the fortress . The European Commission took interest in the fortification not only for its obvious cultural significance but also to maintain and develop it as a resource for tourism , a major part of the local economy . It found the fortifications in poor condition . They had been abandoned since the departure of the Austrians in 1918 . Lack of maintenance , erosion , earthquakes , and vegetation have contributed to its ongoing deterioration . It is proposed to restore the ramparts of the hillside and the city ; this would also allow access by tourists . Further it is suggested to repair towers and sightseeing points , footpaths and accessory buildings to repair the fortification complex and harness its economic potential .