Fort Verige is a fortification built during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the second half of the 19th century. It is situated on the Vrmac peninsula, between the villages of Lepetane and Stoliv, and was named after the Verige Strait flowing below.
The building is 110 metres above sea level and offers a stunning panoramic view of Perast and much of the Bay of Kotor. The fort is currently abandoned and can be visited by anyone at any time of day or night.
Fort Verige. Description and history
The exact date of construction, as well as a description of its purpose, have unfortunately not survived. However, Fort Verige has an almost identical neighbour, Fort Bijeli Pesak, just 400 metres away and at the same height, which may indicate that this pair of defences was built to monitor the strait.
The fort consists of a tower, warehouses and barracks. Traditionally, the -1 floor has a water cistern. The entrance to most of the interior of the fort is blocked by all kinds of rubbish. The tower is the only one accessible without additional obstacles, and according to some sources it was previously equipped with a machine gun.
At the moment, the remains of the military facility have been fitted out by locals as a cowshed and the water supply system is used to quench the animals' thirst. So be prepared to encounter 'marks' here.
As already mentioned, the fort offers a spectacular view of Perast and the Bay of Kotor and Risan. On the opposite side, between Perast and Orahovac, another Austro-Hungarian fortress, Fort Vranovo Brdo, is visible above on the ridge.
Not far from the fort there is a watchtower, which is conspicuous both from below and on the opposite side of the strait. The fort itself is well camouflaged and difficult to spot with the naked eye.
How to get
You can reach Fort Verige on foot from the Church of Our Lady of Angels. You can park your car there or get off the public transport that runs between Kotor and Tivat. There used to be a full-fledged road up to the fortress, but now, as in most cases, there is only a small path. Walk up the serpentine path for about 500 metres and you will come to the remains of the fort.
