Risan Roman Mosaics
Roman villa floors at the oldest settlement on the Bay of Kotor, including a rare mosaic of Hypnos.
Updated 2 September 2026
UNESCO World Heritage
Risan is the oldest settlement on the Bay of Kotor, an Illyrian town that was the seat of Queen Teuta before it became Roman Risinium, and it lies within the UNESCO-listed region of Kotor. A villa excavated here in the 1930s has five rooms of mosaic floor from around the second century, mostly geometric, but one shows Hypnos, the god of sleep, reclining with a poppy stem, which is thought to be the only surviving depiction of him in a floor mosaic.
The main sights
- The Hypnos mosaic - a depiction of the god of sleep thought to be unique in floor mosaic.
- The geometric floors - four further rooms of patterned pavement.
- The Illyrian context - the town that was the seat of Queen Teuta.
- The bay setting - the oldest settlement on the inner Bay of Kotor.
When to go
April to October is the main season; winter hours are limited. Mornings are quietest. The site is under cover.
What to expect
The site is small and the visit takes under an hour. Only the villa is presented; the wider Roman and Illyrian town is not visible. Opening hours outside summer are unreliable.
Nearby
Perast is southeast, and Herceg Novi is west.
What to pack for Risan Roman Mosaics
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
