Herceg Novi is a town located in the coastal region of Montenegro at the foot of Mount Orjen. It serves as the administrative center of the Herceg Novi Municipality, which has a population of approximately 33,000 inhabitants. The town is situated at the western entrance to the Bay of Kotor.
Founded as a fortress in 1382 by King Tvrtko I Kotromanić of Bosnia, the settlement was originally named after Saint Stephen but became known as Novi (New) or Castelnuovo in Italian. Its historical timeline includes periods of Ottoman rule from 1482 to 1687, followed by Venetian rule under Albania Veneta from 1687 to 1797. The town also served as a Catholic bishopric and remains a Latin titular see known as Novi.
Due to its turbulent history of varied occupations, Herceg Novi is characterized by a blend of diverse and picturesque architectural styles. Despite being one of the youngest settlements on the Adriatic coast, it maintains a distinct historical character shaped by these successive influences.