Southern gate, Kotor

The walls of the Kotor fortress are an impressive medieval fortification. The total length is more then 4 kilometres. The thickness varies from 2 to 16 meters and the height reaches up to 20 meters. There are more then 10 bastions along the walls. The system of bastions and walls has developed gradually over the centuries, from the original Illyrian fortress on the San Giovanni hill to the present sophisticated form. The fortress has several entrance gates and the southern gate from the Gurdic spring, consists of three separate gates from different periods (13^th, 16^th and 18^th century). It has severe damages comprising large cracks in the stone structure and therefore the falling of stones is impending. The gate is on the priority list of the Regional Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Kotor and they have turned to us with the question of help with the securing of this important monument. The fortified system of the southern gate includes the Gurdic bastion and the chain bridge over the water can be lifted. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Institute in Kotor and with the NGO Expeditio/Katarina Nikolic. The aim of this project was to help in the securing of one of the important entrances gates to the old town which has a central position and function in the fortress as local people as well as tourists are using it frequently. Another aim is to contribute to the transfer of competence in this kind of stone conservation works. Skaderapport av Krister Berggren  Damage Report by Krister Berggren