Description of the attraction
Since Perast is located in a strategically important place - directly opposite the Verige Strait, which unites the bays of Tivat and Risan, its owners, and they were the Venetians in the 16th century, came up with the idea to use this town to protect the Bay of Kotor. The strait at that time was blocked off with a rope so that no ship could pass into the Venetian waters. But these precautions were not enough, therefore, on the Kashun hill above Perast, a powerful fortress was laid, named after the Holy Cross.
The place for the fortress was not chosen by chance: in the 9th century there was already a church with the same name. The advantages of this site were obvious: it guaranteed an excellent view, which allowed them to control the bay and guard the city under the hill. Some historians suggest that the new fort was named very symbolically - and it had nothing to do with the old church. As you know, on the flag of the Venetian Republic, in addition to a lion, a cross was depicted. Therefore, in this way, the owners of Perast emphasized their domination in the local area.
According to archival data, the fortress was erected in 1570. At the beginning of the next century, they decided to rebuild the fort, strengthening its fortifications. Venice did not want to spend money on modifying the fortress, so all the care of the repair fell on the shoulders of local residents. In order to collect the amount necessary for rebuilding the fortress, a new tax was announced, which, of course, caused unnecessary gossip in Perast. The fortress of the Holy Cross was ruled by a castellan who had a small detachment of soldiers at his disposal.
The fortress was abandoned in 1911. Now the fort is in ruins. On its territory you can find the oldest four-storey building of the 16th century and part of the protective walls on the west side, which were added later.
