According to the opinions of the historians Tivat is the youngest town in Boka Kotorska, as well as on the Montenegrin coast. There are three different opinions about the name of the town. One directs us to an opinion that Tivat got its name by the name of the Illyrian queen Teuta, who besides having Risan for her capital also had several summer cottages in the immediate vicinity of the town now known as Tivat. The second opinion directs us that Tivat maybe got its name by the names of the Christian saints that ate much alike to the name Tivat, like for e.g. Theudorus, Theodosius, Theodotus, Theodulus or middle-aged names dating from the XII century Theudo and Teodo. However, we often hear the third opinion, which directly clarifies, that the name Tivat comes from the Celtic word teuta meaning town.
Historically known facts show that on the soil of Boka Kotorska, and by that in the history of Tivat, several epochs, important for the development of the town, stand out. Those are: Illyrian, Roman Byzantium, Serbian, Venetian Turkish and Austrian reign. The archeological discoveries, the monuments of the old architecture and the written historical sources best testify about the all above-mentioned epochs.
Legend
Nearby Tivat there is a very famous tourist Island Sveti Marko (St. Marko), or the Island Stradioti, as it was called in the past. In the past the Island Sveti Marko in the Tivat bay, was also called the Island Sveti Gavrilo (St. Gabriel), by the church that had the same name, about which, unfortunately there are no written documents. But, among people the legend that is being retold, still lives. The story about an Island reaches back to the VII century, in the period when the Greek gods have given brave Greek soldiers (the commanders and heads of the Greek fleet), for their marking out in battles and combats, to the Island Sveti Gavrilo (today the Island Sveti Marko). As the legend says, wearied and wounded Greek soldiers, in their galleys, have reached the Island of enchanting beauty, to rest on it and to heal their heroic wounds. Enchanted by the beautiful landscapes, various flowers, pine forest and the sea that surrounded the Island, the Greek soldiers have recovered quickly on the Island Sveti Gavrilo. They have spent their days resting and enjoying in the blessings of nature, but also in the stories that reminded them of the past times: at the horrors of war, demolishing, heroism and conquering.
As the time passed by, the Greek soldiers began to fell guilt conscious because of the evils things they have done, so they decided to say prayers to gods. In their prayers, among other things they asked that the Island on which they have spent their post war days remains forever the oasis of peace and tranquil. Also, the Greek veterans have given their vows then, not to go ever again in conquering, and vowed that they will only defend if they are attacked. As a confirmation of the vows that they gave, the soldiers planted a tree of peace an olive tree, from which later a great olive garden appeared.
Still, lead by their combat spirit, the Greek warriors soon broke their vows. They continued to conquer territories and to ruin everything that came on their way. Soon after, the angry and cheated Greek gods sent a horrible storm to the Island. The hurricane wind ravaged for days, breaking the soldier galleys that were anchored just next to the Island Sveti Gavrilo. The furious sea waves mercilessly sank the ships of the Greek fleet, and only a small number of warriors managed to survive the catastrophe, and to swim to the islands in the Tivat bay on the rafts. When the gods noticed that certain ship wrecked men managed to save themselves, they decided to punish them even more severely, so they have sent an incurable decease to the Island, from which all of them died.
The only thing that was left on the Island to testify eternally about one tine and one terrible event, were the olive trees that Greek soldiers planted.
Because of the tragic death of the Greek veterans, the natives of Tivat decided to call the Island Stradioti, instead of Sveti Gavrilo, because in Greek the word stradiotes means a soldier.
Transport
Tivat Airport is 2.5 km to the south of the town centre. A great number of tourists from all over the world (Paris, Prague, Berlin, Hanover, Rome, Moscow...) come to Tivat and Montenegrin seaside by scheduled and charter flights.
Podgorica Airport is 84 km far from Tivat.
Cilipi Airport near Dubrovnik is 44 km far from Tivat.
Tivat does not have any direct shipping line to any port in Italy although via the Port of Bar, 65 km far from Tivat it is possible to travel by sea to Bari. Large waterfront of Tivat offer possibility of mooring small vessels and yachts and in Kaliman there are 330 berths for boats and other vessels.
The main railway line is Bar-Podgorica-Belgrade.
There are many intercity bus lines (regular and seasonal). There is also local bus service to Radovici, Krasici, Lepetane and Brda (Island of Flowers).
Events
Masked balls and carnivals traditional festivities at the seaside organized in February. Boka's night , traditional event in the second part of February organized by the branch of Boka navy from Tivat. Festival of Mediterranean theatre '' Purgatorije'' organized by Cultural centre of Tivat ( exhibitions, plays, films, concerts ) from 25 July to 10 August. Tivat summer festivities organized by TOT , traditional parties taking place during summer at beaches and other public places where local tradition is presented and wine and fish is served.
Lastva festivities organized on the first Saturday in August in Gornja Lastva ( cultural and artistic programme , nights at the mill, exhibitions ) in order to preserve the cultural heritage Boccie Olympics is a sports event in summer.
November Culture Days (celebrating the Tivat Municipality Day) and regular programme of the Cultural centre of Tivat during the winter ( plays, concerts, exhibitions... )
Chicory Fest organized by the Women Association of Tivat and Radio Tivat from 10 to 13 May. Youth Day celebration taking place on 25th May organized by SFRJ Consulate.
