Dear Pasta Lover! Buon giorno from beautiful Verona in North East Italy! I hope you are all staying safe and well. |
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Greetings from Montenegro, the small and very beautiful European country on the Adriatic Sea between Albania and Croatia. At the time of writing, we've been here just over a week. But, we'll actually be home by the time this newsletter is published. We came to visit our friends from Belgrade, Carla and Mikki, who rented a summer house here. |
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We're staying near the old Venetian city of Kotor which lies at the end of the bay of Kotor. This bay is not one large semi-enclosed area of water like most bays but rather a number of smaller bays united by narrow channels. Some people refer to Kotor Bay as the most southern fjord in Europe. But apparently, it's actually a ria, meaning a submerged river canyon. Whether ria, fjord or bay, one thing is certain, the scenery is stunning with mountains surrounding the bays to the west and east. |
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View of Kotor Bay from above |
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Kotor Bay has been inhabited since ancient times. And there are a number of well-preserved medieval towns and villages including Risan, Tivat, Perast and, of course, Kotor the town. Kotor town (once called Cattaro La Veneziane), its fortifications and natural surroundings has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. |
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Did you know that through the medieval age, the Renaissance and up until Napoleon conquered it, Venice was a sovereign state and maritime republic? It was ruled by the Doge who was elected by the city council and ruled for life. Known as La Serenissima, Venice was very powerful. It had a navy that fought in the crusades and its merchant ships dominated trade in the Mediterranean and between Europe and Africa and Asia. |
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Entrance into Kotor old town |
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The Venetian Republic also had many overseas territories, particularly coastal towns and islands in Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, Greece, Cyprus and Montenegro! As well as in other parts of Italy. During our various trips in some of these countries, we've been to a number of ex-Venetian cities/towns and islands. Those that come to mind right now are Chania in Crete, Rovigno in Istria (Croatia), Split, Dubrovnik and Trogir also in Croatia (all three UNESCO World Heritage sites), the islands of Lefkada and Cefalonia in Greece and the Croatian islands of Hvar, Brac, Cres, Losinj and Rab. |
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The coastal region of Croatia and Montenegro that was once part of the Venetian Republic was known as Venetian Dalmatia. It stretched from Istria to Kotor, where we are staying. Although there remains some traces of Venetian heritage in the language and gastronomy of Dalmatia, the greatest legacy the Venetians left is in the architecture and art. |
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They built city gates and walls, castles, forts, fortified towns, ports and palaces. In Kotor, the Venetians built the city's fortifications and fort, palaces and churches. Walking through the squares and alleys of Kotor old town really is so reminiscent of Venice. In fact, it's almost as if you're in Italy, but you're not! |
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Further down the coast northwest of Kotor town is the small town of Perast, which is also part of the Kotor Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally a fishing village, Perast grew in importance under Venetian rule and also boasts beautiful Venetian architecture, including churches and palaces. |
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Perast is a very popular tourist attraction because of its proximity to two islets in the middle of the bay. The older islet, St George, is natural and is home to a Benedictine monastery dating back to the 12th century. |
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The other island, called Our Lady of the Rocks, is home to a Catholic Church and a small museum. This islet was actually created over time with rocks and by sinking old ships filled with rocks. Legend has it that the island was made by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding an icon of the Madonna and Child on a rock in the sea on July 22nd 1452. |
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Enjoying lunch with friends in Perast |
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On returning from successful sea voyages, the sailors would lay a rock in the bay eventually building the island. Apparently, the custom of throwing rocks in the bay is still practiced nowadays every year at sunset on July 22nd. In an event known locally as 'fasinada', residents take their boats out to the islet and throw more rocks into the sea. |
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We had a wonderful seafood lunch in Perast. Of course, seafood is a stable in Kotor Bay and coastal Montenegro. The bay is filled with oyster and mussel farms and the latter are available in most restaurants throughout the season. After our lunch we took a little boat trip out to the islets and walked around Our Lady of the Rocks. |
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I don't really have space to write too much more about our time in Montenegro. We also visited a couple of other places and swam in the sea, which was wonderful, still about 26 °c. The beaches around the bay are mostly pebbles. However, Montenegro has some fabulous sandy beaches. Our friends told us there's a 13km beach at Ulcinj close to the Albanian border and fine pink sand beaches at Sveti Stefan. Definitely on my to-see list next time we go. And, I'm sure there will be a next time! |
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Last chance to get a free signed copy of my latest cookbook! |
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I have a couple of copies of my latest pasta cookbook which I want to sign and giveaway. If you'd like to have your name in the draw for one, just do the following 3 things and then reply to this newsletter to let me know you've participated and who you'd like the signature addressed to. Draw will be held on October 4th. Good luck! - Follow/like my Facebook page (If you don't already 😊), comment on one of the recent recipe posts and tag a friend.
- Do the same on Instagram OR follow me on Pinterest and comment on one of The Pasta Project recipe pins.
- Comment on and rate your favourite recipe on The Pasta Project site.
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Affliate Link - Click On The Image to Visit the Shop |
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Have you read the post I wrote about organic pasta maker's Girolomoni who I visited last year? They're located in Le Marche and make fabulous pasta with 100% organic Italian grains. US readers might be interested to learn that you can buy this pasta from Stonewall Kitchen. They use the brand name Montebello but it's the same company. Check out my post to learn more. And if you're interested in ordering some of this pasta below is a link to Stonewall kitchen. |
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Check out my new shop page for online pasta courses and other pasta related products! |
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Without the thousands of blog visitors, Facebook followers and newsletter subscribers who love pasta as much as I do, The Pasta Project wouldn't be the success it is today! So, I'd like to take this opportunity to send you a heartfelt thank you for being a Pasta Project subscriber! All the best from Verona, Italy |
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Do make sure to add The Pasta Project to your contact list so that new e-books and newsletters won't get sent to your spam folder |
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