Dobrota Churches
Dobrota Churches
ic-remove-red-eye-24px copy Created with Sketch. 2203
Tatiana Torgonskaya
Translation: Vera Root
Photo: Tatiana Torgonskaya
12.02.2020

The tiny ancient village of Dobrota, settled on the Adriatic shore near Kotor, has numerous Christian temples and mansions. The mansions were built mainly in the 18th century, but the churches date from the 10th century to the second half of the 20th century.

First of all, the pride and beauty of Dobrota are two large Catholic churches with high bell towers.

One of these churches, in the northern part of the village, is consecrated in honor of St. Eustahije.

Dobrota Churches

The other, the Church of St. Matthew, is on the opposite side of Dobrota.

Dobrota Churches

Catholics built a temple here in the 13th century. Sadly, it was destroyed by the 1667 earthquake, but a new, more spacious and impressive structure raised on the same site.

Dobrota Churches

The local noble families actively participated in the construction of the churches.

Dobrota Churches

The quadratic belfry was added in the 18th century. Both the temple and the tower are decorated in Baroque style.

Dobrota Churches

The Church of St. Matthew is a popular site among tourists. It is not only imposing and richly decorated shrine, but a wonderful observation platform...

Dobrota Churches

...with breathtaking views of the Kotor Boka Bay, and the mountains, and seaside towns.

Dobrota Churches

The Church of St. Ivan could be the third Catholic temple in Dobrota, but its construction, started in the late 18th century, has not been completed to this day.

Dobrota Churches

The idea to build a temple at the center of the village, between the churches of St. Matthew and St. Eustahije, belonged to the Kamenaroviċ family. They also volunteered to finance the construction.

Dobrota Churches

The times of economic prosperity came and went, and all works at the St. Ivan grounds eventually stopped. A significant part of the project was nevertheless completed, so today we can admire the facade of the church, decorated with a large flower-shaped window.

Dobrota Churches

The main Orthodox church in Dobrota is dedicated to one of the most revered saints of the Serbian Orthodox Church — Vasilij Ostrožský.

Dobrota Churches

This one-nave temple with a semicircular apse on the eastern side is quite contemporary, the construction ended in 1971.

Dobrota Churches

Its central facade is decorated — very unusual — with stone and mosaics.

Dobrota Churches

There is a humble chapel next to the church.

Dobrota Churches

It is not elaborately decorated.

Dobrota Churches

But its doors are always open to believers.

Dobrota Churches

There are some more temples in tiny village of Dobrota. They are built in traditional Montenegrin style and are modest in size and decor.

Dobrota Churches

The graceful Church of Our Lady of Mercy is located at the border of Dobrota and Kotor. The exact age of the temple is unknown, but it was first mentioned in local documents in 1518.

Dobrota Churches

The Church of St. Michael was once a private church of the Radimir family.

Dobrota Churches

It served as a place of prayer and a family burial chamber.

Dobrota ChurchesDobrota Churches

Particularly noteworthy are the doors of this church, embellished with delicate carvings.

Dobrota Churches

The smallest — yet oldest — temple in Dobrota is the Church of St. Elijah. Experts suggest that this temple illuminates the miniature Cape Plagenti since the10th century. Despite the disastrous effects of time and nature, this amusing edifice survived in its original form to the present day.

ic-remove-red-eye-24px copy Created with Sketch. 2203
Culture Kotor Dobrota architecture monasteries and churches