Kanli Kula Fortress (turkish «Kanli Kula» — «Bloody Tower») — is a fortification in Herceg Novi, built in the 16th century by the Ottoman Empire.
One of the most striking examples of Turkish architecture in the Bay of Kotor has a grim name. This is due to the fact that it was used by the Turks as a prison from which almost no one ever got out alive.
Today there is little reminder of its bloody past, and the building has been converted into an amphitheatre which hosts plays, music performances and film festivals.
History of the Kanli Kula fortress
The fortress «Kanli Kula» was built by the Ottomans after the recapture of Herceg Novi in 1539. It was probably based on an older building. Such a conclusion can be drawn because a lintel of an older building with the inscription «pro pace» in Latin was found on the site.
The Turks began using the fortress as a prison almost from its founding. In the surviving prison cells, which are not accessible to ordinary tourists, the prisoners' drawings and inscriptions in the form of heralds, crosses and galleys, which were common in the Turkish navy, remain.
In 1687 the Republic of Venice recaptured Herceg Novi from the Ottoman Empire. The Italians modernised the fortress and tried to change its reputation, even changing its name to «Porte di Terra» (italian. «Gate of the Land»), but the new name, despite a century of Venetian rule, never caught on.
When the territory was acquired by the Austria-Hungary, another major change was made to the structure of the fortress: the northern wall was partially dismantled and an entrance was built there, which is still considered to be the main entrance.
In the 1960s, the fortress was reconstructed and opened to the public as a museum. This was a large-scale project, preceded by special research and archaeological excavations.
However, as early as 1979, after a massive earthquake, which incidentally caused the Citadel to collapse, everything had to be redesigned. A new reconstruction under the direction of the architect Boris Iljanić, completed in 1988, made the Kani Kula more functional, but lost the atmosphere of the late Middle Ages.
Today, Kanli Kula is a venue for film screenings, music festivals and theatre performances. The new reconstruction has made it possible to do what the Venetians failed to do — make forget about the fortress' grim past. This is evidenced by the fact that today Kanli Kula Fortress is a popular place for weddings: the view of the bay and the large grounds help to take beautiful memorable photographs that no longer have associations with the fortress' past.
Description of the fortress
Kanli Kula Fortress is a large structure in the northern part of the Old Town of Herceg Novi, measuring approximately 60x70 metres. It was once part of the city's defence system together with Forte Mare and the city walls. The building does not have any regular shape. On the one hand it might have been the result of being built on the site of other structures that were simply «inserted» into the new fortification building, but on the other hand such a chaotic shape was inherent in most of the fortifications of the Ottoman Empire.
As has already been said, due to the change of eras and owners, the fortress has succumbed to many changes: it was adjusted by the Venetians, rebuilt by the Austrians and reconstructed by the Yugoslavs. However, there are a few things to look out for:
- The water tank on the west side. This is just about the only part of the fortress that has not undergone any changes;
- Although today the northern gate is considered the main gate, it is the southern one that is worth looking at. Firstly, it has long been the main gate: it was used by the Turks to bring in prisoners, and it was the one that reeked of fear into the streets of the Old Town. Secondly, they offer a beautiful scenic view of the surrounding countryside that cannot leave anyone indifferent.
- Wall thickness. According to some reports, in certain places the walls are up to 20 metres thick.
- Remains of the old city walls. As mentioned above, unlike San Giovanni Castle in Kotor, almost all of the old city walls were dismantled in the 19th century. However, a small part, together with the Western Tower, still remains.
How to get to Kanli Kula Fortress
The fortress is easy to reach if you are able to get to Herceg Novi. As you approach the bus station from Kotor, it is impossible not to notice the monumental structure on the left.
The walk from the bus station to Kanli Kula Fortress takes no more than 10 minutes at a leisurely pace.
It is worth noting that entrance to the fortress is chargeable in 2023 and costs 4 euros per person. Payment in cash only.
Kanli Kula Fortress opening hours
The fortress is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer season (usually from 1 May to 30 October). At other times, visits are only possible in groups of 20+ people and by prior arrangement.
