The town is a Montenegrin multicultural phenomenon and it is the largest and the mostimportant medieval archaeological site in the Balkans. Over an area of 4.5 hectare, remains of some 600 public and sacral buildings bear witness to the architectural
significance in all epochs of Mediterranean history. Its outstanding importance lies in the mixture of different styles visible on individual buildings, such as Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance, while in the period of the Ottoman Empire, eastern features were added to the medieval town. Old Bar was occupied by Illyrian tribes in prehistoric times due to its suitable defensive position. Old Bar was included within the province of Dalmatia, and after 297 within the province of Praevalis. The town was mentioned for the first time in 8 th century under the name Antibareos, but it is assumed that there had been a settlement even before on that territory and that Prokopije mentioned it as renewed Roman castrum in 6 th century.
In the first half of the 8 th century, Old Bar was the Episcopal seat, and in 11 th century the archbishopric seat was moved from Duklja to Bar. In this town the King of Duklja, Mihailo, was crowned in 1067. From 12 th century up to the late 14th century it belonged to the dynasty Nemanjic, and after that to the dynasty Balsic, rulers of Zeta. In 1443 it was conquered by Venetia. In 1571, it was conquered by Turks and it remains under their occupation till 1878, when it was liberated by Montenegrins.
Over the centuries Old Bar had suffered from many attacks and the majority of buildings have been ruined except the clock tower, duty building, church and hammam which were restored after the earthquake in 1979.
The town was abandoned in 1979. Old Bar is a blend of all Mediterranean cultures: Illyrian, Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Slavic, Venetian and Ottoman. With its surrounding area, it had status of a border fortification of Dyrakhhion (Drac) in the early Middle Age (8 th and 9th), and was one of the most important towns as the archbishop centre of the Byzantine Empire in the East Adriatic coast. It was well known as a trade centre in the area. The urban structure of Old Bar is defined by roads and squares from the Roman period. Its architecture is reflected through continuity of different styles. Its central importance lies in the mixture of different styles visible on individual buildings, such as Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance, while in the period of the Ottoman Empire, eastern features were added to the medieval town.
Old Bar is the biggest and the most important medieval archaeological site in the Balkans, comprised of the remains of around 600 monuments. It represents a very important element in research of the medieval period with special emphasis on the Slavic period. Further research could reveal more data concerning the growth of Montenegro in this period.
It is located at the base of Mt Rumija (holy Montenegrin Mountain) which makes it important from symbolic point of view. The site is very significant within the landscape, and has an important environmental value as well. The overall appearance of the entire town is enriched with walls, numerous bastions, towers, citadel, squares, and churches. From the top of the fortifications are impressive views of the modern town of Bar and the mountain above.
