Kotor, Montenegro

Cats Museum

A curious little museum dedicated to the furry feline in the cat haven that is Old Town Kotor.

For cat lovers, there is no place like the medieval town of Kotor, Montenegro. The town, which was founded by the Romans in 168 BC, has a noticeably high cat population. For centuries, Kotor served as a trading port for ships from all over the world, and many of the cats who were on the ships were left behind, ultimately populating the small town with a diverse array of felines.

The cats are a part of daily life in Kotor, acting as a symbol for the entire town. In fact, Kotor even has a museum dedicated to their furry residents. Tucked into an unassuming building in the heart of Old Town, the Cats Museum (Museo del Gatto di Cattaro) is a charming sight to be seen for cat lovers and loathers alike.Visitors who find their way into the tiny museum are granted access to an unusual collection of cat works from writings, coins, lithographs and much more. For those with a certain niche humor, the collection of postcards featuring cats doing human things is a must-see, while the more historically inclined will surely appreciate the pieces dating back a few centuries.

In fact, an entire section of the museum is dedicated to cat artifacts dated before and during the First World War. These range from war propaganda to postcards sent from soldiers, and the care taken to preserve these strange treasures is evident.

Despite its small size (just two little rooms connected by a hallway), the Cats Museum has an impressive list of registered members—all of whom have four legs. For those with only two legs, the museum does come at a cost. The admission fee, just 1 euro, does more than keep the glass cases clean; the museum also supports the local feline community through the money earned. A gift shop sells cat memorabilia alongside small bags of food to feed the many cats of Kotor who are, of course, always welcome.