Herceg Novi (Cyrillic: Херцег Нови; pronounced [xěrtseɡ nôʋiː]) is a coastal town in Montenegro

located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen. It is the administrative
center of the Herceg Novi Municipality with around 33,000 inhabitants. Herceg Novi was known as
Castelnuovo ("New castle" in Italian) between 1482 and 1797, when it was part of Ottoman Empire
and the Albania Veneta of the Republic of Venice. It was a Catholic bishopric and remains a Latin
titular see as Novi. Herceg Novi has had a turbulent past, despite being one of the youngest settlements
on the Adriatic. A history of varied occupations has created a blend of diverse and picturesque
architectural style in the city.[2]
Archeological findings from Luštica peninsula and Vranjaj cavern imply that the area was populated in
Neolithic and early Bronze Age. In 3rd century BC, after beating the Illyrians, the area was ruled by
Roman Republic. After the split of the Roman Empire, the area fell under rule of Western Roman
Empire. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was dominated by Byzantine Empire.
Slavic tribes began inhabiting these lands in 7th century AD. During these times the small settlement
was part of Byzantine-held Dračevica district, which in turn later belonged to Principality of Travunija.
In 10th century Dračevica comes under the control of various Dioclean/Zetan dukes, who were in turn
incorporated into Kingdom of Serbia ruled by the Nemanjić dynasty. After the death of Emperor Stefan
Dušan, Serbian Empire begins to fracture into smaller principalities and districts, Dračevica being
administered by great duke Vojislav Vojinović. After the rulership of Vojinović, the area, along with
most of modern Montenegro, comes under the rule of Balšić noble family.
The medieval town was founded on a small fishing village as a fortress in 1382 by the first King of
Bosnia, Stefan Tvrtko I Kotromanić and was originally named Sveti Stefan (Saint Stephen).

Herceg Novi in 1700, Albania Veneta

The Fortress of 'Stari Grad' (Old Town)
After the death of Tvrtko, Duke Sandalj Hranić of the Herzegovinian Kosačas acquired Sveti Stefan.
During his reign, the town picked up trading salt. When Hranić died, his nephew, Herzog Stjepan
Vukčić Kosača inherited it. During the reign of Duchy of Saint Sava, the town grew in importance and
became Stjepan's seat, getting a new name in the process: Herceg Novi. Herzog Stjepan also founded
Savina monastery.
The Turks conquered Herceg Novi in 1482, and ruled for 200 years, until 1687. They built Kanli Tower
on the upper edge of the city. However, there was a short pause between 1538 and 1539 when it was
held by the Spaniards before they were defeated in the Siege of Castelnuovo. In their brief
overlordship, the Spanish built a Hispaniola fort above the city that is well-preserved today. Evliya
Çelebi visits the Bay of Kotor and mentione Croats, Bosnians and Albanians(Arnauts) who live in the
Herceg Novi.[3]
Republic of Venice gained control of the city and included it into Albania Veneta, an administrative unit
on the territory of present-day coastal Montenegro. In Venice, the city was known as Castelnuovo. The
Venetians refortified the old town walls and towers and reinforced the fortress with a Citadella tower
(destroyed in an earthquake in 1979). On 24 August 1798, Herceg Novi was annexed by Habsburg
Austria but was then ceded to Russia as per the Treaty of Pressburg on 26 December 1805. The
Russians officially occupied Herceg Novi between 28 February 1806 and 12 August 1807.