Forte Mare

Seaside fortress at the foot of the old town, built by the founder of the city

Forte Mare sits where the old town meets the sea, a stubby fortress built directly on the rocks of the shoreline. It has been knocked down and rebuilt by successive owners — Bosnians, Ottomans, Venetians, Austrians — and the patchwork of stonework reflects that.

Inside there is a small exhibition on the fortress's history, but most visitors come for the rooftop terrace, which doubles as an open-air cinema in July and August. The walls drop straight into the water, so the views across the bay are uninterrupted. Combined ticket with the Kanli Kula is good value.

things to do landmark fortress
A story
Forte Mare was built in 1382 by Bosnian king Tvrtko I, who founded Herceg Novi as his outlet to the sea. The Venetians rebuilt it after the 1539 siege, and the Austro-Hungarians added the upper terraces that now serve as an outdoor cinema in summer.

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