Sightseeing stop in Risan (Montenegro)

Risan description

Risan traces its origins to the ancient settlement of Rhizon, the oldest settlement in the Bay of Kotor. Lying in the innermost portion of the bay, the settlement is protected from the interior by inaccessible limestone cliffs of the Orjen mountain, the highest range of eastern Adriatic, and through several following narrow straits in the Bay of Kotor from the open sea.

The earliest mention of Risan under the name Rhizon dates back to the 4th century BCE, as the main fortress in the Illyrian state where Queen Teuta took refuge during the Illyrian Wars. The degree of Hellenization at Rhizon was very high. In Roman times, Risan was called Rhizinium, and is documented as an oppidum civium Romanorum, literally a town of Roman citizens.

The most prosperous time for Roman Rhizinium was during the 1st and 2nd centuries, when huge villas were made in the area and the city had 10,000 inhabitants. Five mosaics are the most valuable remains of that period, and for Risan and for whole Montenegro.

Circa 500 it became the see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Risano. The invasions of the Avars and Slavs left the city deserted. The last reference of a Roman bishop in Risan dates back to 595.

In the 10th century, the Byzantine emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus includes Risan among the inhabited towns of Travunia, while the priest of Doclea considers Rissena to be a district.

During the Middle Ages, Risan lost the significance it used to have in the ancient times. No later than the 13th century, the Italians provided the bulk of a henceforward unbroken series of Latin Catholic Bishops of Risano until its suppression circa 1630.

In the mid-15th century, Risan was referred to as a town of Herceg Stjepan. In 1466, the Venetians offered to give Brac island and a palace in Split to Herceg Stjepan, in exchange for his two towns, Risan and Novi (now known as Herceg Novi) located in the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska). In 1482, the Turks took Risan, together with Herceg Novi, from Herceg Stjepan's son Vlatko, using it as a base for its corsairs to pirate Venetian shipping sailing from their nearby holdings of Cattaro and Perasto (nowadays known as Kotor and Perast).

Only in 1688 Risan became Venetian as part of the Albania Veneta with the Venetian name of Risano, enjoying a temporary economic growth. In the following centuries Risan has had the same fate as the whole of Dalmatia. It was for a few years during World War II part of the Kingdom of Italy in the Italian Governatorate of Dalmatia and actually it is part of the newly independent Montenegro.

In the present-day Risan, there are no elements that could connect it to the medieval town. However, on the Gradina hill, above the famous archeological site of Carine, a fortification is situated containing remains of an Illyrian acropolis, as well as the medieval and Turkish stratum. The position of the fortification was excellent, particularly for the control of Risan – Onogost (modern days Niksic) route, while the hilltop itself was inaccessible. From that time still stay medieval Bedem fortress in the Niksic area.

Risan has one of the oldest street in all of Europe and it is a sight to behold. Hidden behind the tiny market square and lined by old stone houses, it really is worth a visit. It's incredible to think how ancient those cobbles are, and the designs are beautiful too. The street name is Gabela, dating back to the 12th century, while some parts of it were built later during the Turkish occupation.

The street stretches as far as 3 kilometers "up the hill" from the coast, ie from the main square in Risan, where there is a local market.

Along the street, which is very well preserved, there are old stone houses, constructed in typical style for cities in Boka Kotorska.

Close to Risan is located Banja Monastery, lying in the shade of cypress trees, on the way to Perast. The monastery belongs to the Metropolitanate of the Montenegrin-Littoral, Serbian Orthodox Church. The monastery was built in the 12th century by the ruler Stefan Nemanja. In the Monastery there is a small church dedicated to St. George, whose holy relics can still be found today, silvered and gilded with an inscription.

In 1654, the Turks demolished the original church built by Stefan Nemanja, whose remains are still visible today. During the seventeenth century a new small church was built, also dedicated to St. George.

The noble people of Risan invested a lot in this place, in their monastery and church. Various benefactors have donated gold, icons, and other numerous values. The greatest benefactor from Risan was Vaso Cukovic who donated a large bell to the monastery, worth 30,000 thousand dinars at the time, and later again 340,000 dinars for the reconstruction of the monastery. Today, the monastery houses one of the oldest frescoes in Boka Kotorska, which is the work of the iconographic house Rafailovic-Dimitrijevic from the seventeenth century.

Roman Mosaics in Risan represent the oldest architectural monument in Montenegro, it is approximate 2000 years old. This is Illyrian Villa Urbana, and consists of 5 family rooms, with mosaics painted on their floors, and there are also numerous service rooms. In the center of the villa is a small garden with a rain-collecting pool, the water of which was used for drinking and bathing in the bathroom - Atrium.

The most famous of all mosaics is the mosaic of the Dream God, Hypnos, which is presented in a semi-recumbent position with crossed legs and is considered to be the only mosaic of the God Hypnos in the whole world. The Roman equivalent of God Hypnos is known as Somnus, and Hypnos name is the origin of the word hypnosis.

These Roman houses already had water and sewerage in the second century. There were numerous shops in the narrow streets near this villa, and Risan merchant ships were by no means bypassed. Merchant mostly traded fish, butter, oil and salt. The total surface area of the 5 Roman mosaics is 790 m2 and was allegedly housed by Roman legionaries.

White, gray and black small stones were used as the main material for the construction of mosaics, and ancient masters used to make these masterpieces. In addition to the mosaic of the Dream God Hypnos, which was positioned in the master bedroom, there are numerous mosaics with battle motifs, fish, octopus, vines and various geometric figures. The mosaic in the dining room has two colors and the motif that is represented is a rosette with the sun.

Inside the mosaic (on the floor) is a stone basement for the storage of amphoras with oil. Although human bones were found here after the war, it hasn't still been confirmed that it was also a grave. The ruins of the mansion were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. Some of the mosaics have been restored and some still haven't.

We know good things to see in Montenegro. We know the roads, well-known tourist attractions like UNESCO sites, and off-the-beaten-path places.

If you would like to learn more about Montenegro and explore it by visiting different attractions, come with us for a private tour. We can travel all across Montenegro and we will show you all the important tourist attractions together with the hidden gems of this beautiful country. Feel free to contact us!

We have developed numerous itineraries for private car tours in Montenegro as well as in neighboring countries, including tours passing through several countries as one journey. Solo private tours and tours for Seniors are available also.

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Sightseeing stop in Risan: discover beautiful places in Montenegro

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Risan description

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