The fortifications (then named Cattaro) were attacked by the British naval Captain William Hoste with his ship HMS Bacchante (38 guns).

During World War II Kotor was occupied by the Axis forces and liberated on November 21, 1944, a date commemorated over the Sea Gate.

The walls are fortified by bastions, most prominent being the Kampana tower and citadel (13th to 14th century) near the point where the river enters the bay.

The ramparts have positions at various points; within them is a network of communications as well as additional buildings including the Church of Our Lady of Remedy from 1518.

On top of the mountain is the San Giovanni castel at a 280-meter height dominating the eastern bay, the fortification system and the city.

The circumference of the outer wall is 4.5 km, with a thickness between 2 and 16 m, and a height up to 20 m. The 1979 earthquake damaged much of the buildings in Kotor including the fortifications.

The fortifications are the most significant aspect of the World Heritage site[5] and while they contain elements of different epochs, it was the Venetians who constructed most of the present structures.

[6] The European Commission took interest in the fortification not only for its cultural significance but also to maintain and develop it as a resource for tourism, a major part of the local economy.