Crkva Svetog Nikole (Church of St. Nicholas), Kotor

The Church of Saint Nicholas, up in the northern part of Kotor's Old Town, catches the eye of believers, history buffs, and regular tourists alike. It started going up in 1902, replacing a church from the 17th century that got wiped out by a fire on Christmas Eve in 1896. You can't miss its grand presence, flanked by two big bell towers capped with black domes sporting shiny gold crosses gifted from Russia.

The mastermind behind the project was the famous architectural engineer Ćiril Iveković, who has left his mark all over the Adriatic coast, from Zadar to Kotor, working on churches, rectories, and other public buildings. A prominent name in the art and architecture scene, he taught at Zagreb's Technical University until passing away in 1933.

The structure itself, designed in Byzantine style, stands tall behind the city wall. Inside, you're in for a treat with the stunning iconostasis finished in 1908 and a vast collection of icons, among which the most famous is the Icon of the Holy Mother of God Trojeručica. Plus, there are many religious texts, artworks, and treasures donated by wealthy Kotor families.

This is the only Orthodox church in Kotor where daily liturgies take place, and best of all, admission won't cost you a dime. You'll see the flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church flying proudly from the front facade.