Panoramic view of Kotor and the bay of the same name. This Dalmatian town has been fortified since the Early Middle Ages. It was influenced by various cultures over the centuries and formed a province of the Venetian Republic from 1420 to 1797, a period that is strongly reflected in the architecture. Italian was the dominant language until well into the 19th century. The historic centre of Kotor has been included in two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has evolved into a touristic hotspot.