The "Sailing Manual of the Adriatic", published by the Imperial and Royal Navy at the time. Kriegsmarine, had no sense for the beautiful, only for the practical - and even that strictly in the nautical sense. It described the Gulf of Cattaro, the southernmost tip of Austria-Hungary, merely as a war harbour, "in its entire extent".
Impressive panorama
Not a word about the impressive panorama of the deeply incised, mountainous Bay of Kotor, as it is known today. After all: in peacetime, "yachts were allowed to enter", promised the tome.
And they already came during the Danube Monarchy: when the German Emperor steamed north for his summer holidays, people from Vienna and Budapest tended to head south, where the Bay of Kotor promised a similar natural experience to Norway's fjords - only much more summery and less fresh.
A harbour befitting its status
SMS "Miramar", Franz Joseph's elegant state yacht, can be seen as the forerunner of the many modern superyachts that call at Montenegro today. And unlike in the days of the monarchy, there is also a befitting harbour for guests on their own keel: Porto Montenegro in the harbour town of Tivat. You can stay here for up to 250 metres, of course with a comprehensive range of services. The imperial and royal sailors of 1900 could only dream of this.
Even more top marinas:
- Pure Caribbean: Port de Gustavia on St Barth
- Retreat: Marina di Porto Cervo in Sardinia
- Ancient history: Marina Zea in Piraeus (Athens)
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
