Banja Monastery

About

Banja Monastery in Risan is a peaceful Orthodox retreat set among greenery at the edge of the town, known for its long history of healing springs. Its name, Banja, comes from the ancient baths that once stood nearby, used since Roman times. One interesting fact is that the monastery was rebuilt several times after earthquakes, each reconstruction preserving older fragments and giving the complex a layered architectural character. Inside the church, visitors find a modest but atmospheric interior. The iconostasis is carved in a traditional coastal style, with warm wood tones and finely painted icons of Christ, the Virgin, and local saints. Soft light enters through small windows, illuminating frescoes added gradually over the centuries. These paintings reflect both Byzantine influence and local artistic traditions, making the interior feel intimate and deeply rooted in the Bay of Kotor’s heritage. The monastery grounds include a quiet courtyard, stone pathways, and views toward the surrounding hills. A small spring nearby is still associated with healing folklore, connecting the site to its ancient past. Banja Monastery offers a reflective pause for travellers exploring Risan’s blend of Roman, Illyrian, and Christian history.

Risan Montenegro

Location

It is located at Risan bb, 85337 Risan, Montenegro, also marked as Banja on the E65 coastal road, just a couple of kilometers north of the center of Risan, directly on the shore of the Bay of Kotor. You will see a small stone complex with a church and old walls, surrounded by olive trees and with the sea right in front of it. It is a Serbian Orthodox monastery dedicated to St. George, with roots going back to the Middle Ages, rebuilt and renovated over time. Very simple, very peaceful, with a small church, old icons and a courtyard where you can just sit and listen to the waves. Right in Risan itself you have the famous Roman Mosaics at Kovacevina bb, remains of a Roman villa from the 2nd century with amazingly preserved mosaic floors, including the Hypnos mosaic. Just a short walk away in the town park is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul from 1796, a nice elegant Orthodox church. If you continue along the bay you are quickly in Perast, with its baroque palaces like Bujovic Palace that now houses the town museum, and the two famous islands Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George. A bit further is Kotor Old Town with its fortress, city walls, Maritime Museum and St. Tryphon Cathedral.