Kotor is situated in the most secluded part of Boka Kotorska (The Bay of Kotor). While it dates from the Illyrian period, Kotor developed into an important commercial and artistic center in the Middle Ages. Many empires battled for control over the city throughout the centuries: from being an autonomous city of the Byzantine Empire, free city of medieval Serbia, then under Venetian or Hungarian states, gaining independence and then returned to Venetian control once again, just to be occupied by France and then Austria, until Kotor finally became part of Yugoslavia. Kotor tour begins at the main gate of the Old Town, also known as the Sea Gate (Morska vrata), where you will meet our guide.