Crkva Svetog Luke (Church of St. Luke), Kotor

Alongside the Church of Saint Nicholas lies one of Kotor's five remaining sacred structures built in the Romanesque style. Dating back to 1195, during the Serbian Nemanjić dynasty, it has a single nave layout with a circular-based dome over the central aisle, a semicircular apse on the east end, and a portal on the west side. Despite its modest size compared to its neighbors, like the grand Saint Nicholas, this structure's smaller stature actually worked in its favor, sparing it from earthquake damage that affected many others in town.

Shortly after its completion, Saint Luke's was adorned with frescoes, though only fragments remain on the southern wall. The impressive iconostasis, crafted by Dimitrije Daskal, hails from the 17th-century Boka Kotorska painting school.

What further sets the church apart is its history of housing both Catholic and Orthodox altars. In 1657, during a Turkish invasion, the population of Grbalj sought refuge in Kotor, and the Venetian authorities allowed them to use the then-Catholic place of worship for Orthodox services. This led to the installation of two altars, which remained in use until the French occupation from 1807 to 1814.

An intriguing detail lies beneath your feet in this sacred spot – the floor is comprised of tombstones from communal graves of Kotor's residents. Burials took place within the church until the 1930s, adding another layer of history to this fascinating site.