The Church of St. George (Đorđa) in Špiljari is an extremely interesting shrine with a rich history, located in the former village of the same name, just behind the ramparts of the fortress of San Giovanni (St. Ivan) above Kotor.
Here are the key details about her:
Location and setting: It is located in the basin/cove behind the fortress of San Giovanni, in the village of Špiljari (which is considered one of the oldest inhabited places in Boka). It is usually reached by old pedestrian serpentines (the so-called Ladder of Kotor) and a passage ("hole in the wall") at the back of the Kotor ramparts.
Age and history: It is believed that the original foundations and the building date back to the 13th or 14th century. The inscription above the entrance testifies that the church was restored/remodeled in 1559.
Specificity - Two altars: One of the most interesting historical features of this church is that over time it had two altars (Catholic and Orthodox), so that local residents and passers-by of both faiths could pray there.
Architecture and interior: It was built of authentic Bokelje stone in a simple Gothic-Romanesque style, with a distinctive belfry above the western entrance. The interior had vaults painted with frescoes, of which some traces of blue paint and pigments on the walls have been preserved to this day.
Today: Today, the church is without a roof covering, in a dilapidated state under the open sky, but due to its isolated position in the stone village and the close proximity of the fortress, it is an exceptional attraction for lovers of history and hiking.
