Budva City Walls

The Budva City Walls surround the Old Town of Budva. Archaeological evidence proves it to be one of oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast; historical references date it back to the 5th century BC. The coastal area around the city is called the Budva Riviera and is the center of Montenegrin tourism. The city walls have seen many conquerors come and go as well as a few natural disasters. 

The History of the Budva City Walls

The Old Town of Budva is encircled by a fortress wall that was first built in the 9th century and included the local Benedictine Monastery. Ancient engravings currently found in the Budva Museum describe the 16th century fort as having thick hewn stone walls with 7 towers strategically placed around the perimeter. The wall and the settlement had to be rebuilt by the Venetians during the Renaissance in the 17th century after it was destroyed by an earthquake. On April 15, 1979, another devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7 hit the area, and the fortress was once again damaged. With the help of UNESCO, it was restored to its former glory by 1987. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s reign in the 19th and 20th centuries the current defensive citadel also known as the Fortress of Saint Mary located on the southern edge of the old town was built. Budva has historically been ruled or occupied by many societies starting with the Illyrian tribes, The Greeks, The Romans, The Byzantines, The Venetian Republic, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Yugoslavia finally becoming part of the Social Republic of Montenegro after World War 2. 

Visiting the Budva City Walls today

Today the Old Town of Budva which is encased by the fortified city walls is classed as an architectural monument of antiquity and is protected by UNESCO. The fortified town is now an open-air living museum, and residents still live in the medieval stone-hewn buildings. The town’s long history has given the walls many interesting historical sites. Over the main entrance are the remains of the winged lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of Venice showing Budva’s Venetian influences. The remains of an ancient Roman necropolis are outside the front gate, and inside, there is a Roman Villa and bath house discovered after the catastrophic 1979 earthquake, contributing evidence of the Roman occupation. Additionally, there are many historic structures to visit while exploring the walls. 

To access the Budva City Walls there are several narrow aisles and staircases on the fortress wall inside the Old Town. They are configured in a horseshoe shape that takes the visitor past some little archer-port towers giving an idea of how defensive efforts were undertaken. The views from the top of the wall give a different perspective and enable visitors to see right into the heart of the city and soak up its atmosphere. There are plenty of unique photographic opportunities to capture the panoramic views along the walls. There are viewing platforms that allow visitors time to admire the sunsets which enhance the Old Town’s natural beauty, and the red roof tiles of the buildings shimmer in the changing light.