Petrovac, or more accurately Petrovac-na-Moru, is a small settlement located on the seashore between Budva and Bar. The first settlement in this area dates back to Roman times, and in the town itself you can find traces of completely different eras. Today it is a small, quiet settlement, which nevertheless attracts many tourists during the summer season.
History of Petrovac
As mentioned above, the first settlements on the territory of Petrovac appeared in Roman times. Under the rule of the Venetian Republic, the town was called Castel Lastva. The town received its modern name at the beginning of the 20th century after the First World War in honour of King Petar I Karađorđević.
Late Antique period
There is very little data on the Roman period of Petrovac. However, mosaics dating back to the middle of the 4th century were found near the Church of St Thomas.
It is known that in 1902 a fragment of a mosaic depicting three fish with one head, a glass vase and several coins from the ancient period were found. Unfortunately, these finds have not been preserved.
In 1941, another mosaic measuring 37.5 square metres was found. This is the one that can be seen today in the glass pavilion, which can be accessed on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Later the Slavs came to these lands, and the settlement is mentioned in «Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja».
Venetian Republic
The presence of the Republic of Venice in this region dates back to the 15th century.
In the 16th century, the Venetians decided to fortify the city against attacks from the sea. This is how the fortress and infirmary, the remains of which are now called Castello, appeared in the town. The fortress was also the site of food stores.
Until 1657 the entire garrison consisted of only 5 men. Later the number of the garrison increased to 20, which, of course, did not save it from organised raids, but it did protect it from robbers and pirates.
It is worth mentioning that the power of the Republic of Venice over this territory began to weaken at the end of the 16th century. After the «fall» of Ratac Abbey in 1571, the town's churches began to convert from Catholicism to Orthodoxy. The role of the Venetians was limited mainly to trade, other issues the inhabitants had to deal with on their own.
Petrovac today
Today Petrovac is a small picturesque town that lives off tourism. A nightclub opens in the fortress in summer and numerous cafes are located along the seafront.
Islands near Petrovac
There are two islands in the sea near Petrovac that attract attention as soon as they come into sight — Big and Small Katić. Strange as it may seem, Small Katić is more popular. This is because it is on this island that a picturesque church is located, which attracts the attention of tourists.
Church of Svete Nedelje (Crkva Svete Nedelje)
Legend has it that in the middle of the 16th century, sailors were rescued from a shipwreck during a storm on the island of Small Katić. In gratitude for their miraculous rescue, they built a chapel there. Since then, the church dedicated to Svete Nedelje has been protecting sailors and fishermen travelling from this shore from the vicissitudes of the elements.
The interior of the chapel is not accessible today because the building was damaged by the earthquake. However, there is a pier and any visitor can enjoy a beautiful view of Petrovac from a nearby observation deck.
The church itself is a simple building of local grey stone that has been bonded with mortar. The roof is covered with red tiles. There are hundreds of similar buildings all along the coast. Of note: in the evening, the walls are illuminated on the building, adding to the atmospheric feel of the island.
Petrovac in cinema
In the 21st James Bond film, Casino Royale, Petrovac was the location of the casino of the same name. However, the filming actually took place in the Czech Republic.
Part of the film «The Brothers Bloom» was shot in Petrovac.
How to get to Petrovac
The most convenient way to get there is, as usual, with your own or rented car. In the city itself, you can park your car for 1 euro per hour in a car park, for example here.
You can also get to Petrovac by bus. To do this, you need to come to the bus station in your town and take an intercity bus. You can see the bus timetable on this website. You can also buy tickets online there, but note that you need to print it out for travelling. An electronic ticket does not entitle you to travel.
How to get to Petrovac from the airport
As mentioned above, the most convenient way is by rented car, or taxi. If you are looking for a more budget solution, you need to go by bus from the nearest bus station. How to get from the airport to the bus station is described in detail here:
