Not far from the popular resort of Montenegro is the fortress of Mamula . It is located on the island of the same name Mamula , and occupies most of the territory. Tourists and independent travelers visiting the country are almost unaware of this attraction. However, an independent trip or a trip as part of an excursion will help to diversify a beach holiday in Montenegro.
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History of the island-fortress
The official year of construction of the fortification was 1853. The fortress was part of a large project developed by General of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Lazar Mamul . He later became governor of Montenegro. From him came the official name of this place.
The main function of the famous fortification is to protect the coast of the Bay of Kotor, protection from possible attack or attack from the Adriatic Sea. A small garrison was stationed here, guns and auxiliary artillery of Dalmatia were installed. By the end of the 19th century, the contents of Fort Mamula were considered unprofitable, it was abandoned by the military.
Development of the history of the landmark.
- World War I. The island was used by the Austrian authorities as a prison, not intended to protect coastal areas.
- World War II. Italian dictator Mussolini turned the place into a concentration camp.
- Mid 20th century. The place is gradually falling into disrepair, the infrastructure is not maintained.
- After disputes with Croatia, this territory and Prevlaka were ceded to Montenegro.
- In 2016, the Montenegrin authorities decided to build a large hotel here, carrying out a global renovation of the facilities.
- In the middle of the 20th century a film was made here about the formation of the fortress, its history.
The latter has not yet been implemented. Small restoration activities have been made, excursions to the Mamula fortress have been opened . This place has become one of the points in the tourist programs – a water walk on the Bay of Kotor , visiting historical sites.
Mamula Fortress now
An overview route around the island has been prepared for tourists and independent travelers. The main entrance is located next to a small pier. It is located near the Lustica peninsula . To enter the territory of the ancient fort Mamula you need to go through the moat on the bridge, then head to the central part. Here you can take photos of local ruins, remains of buildings. There are two entrances. The island is completely uninhabited, belongs to the Bay of Kotor . Before traveling to the country, it is recommended to explore all the sights of Montenegro , their location on the map.
In the reviews of vacationers, it is recommended to go up to the observation deck, it is well preserved, periodically updated by the state. A spiral staircase leads to it. The area is round, with a diameter of 3 m. However, it has 56 steps, which makes it difficult to climb. The site offers views of the Bay of Kotor , Lustica Peninsula , the Adriatic Sea.
What else can be done on the territory of the historical landmark:
- Take a walk in the local park. Rare plants of Montenegro are collected here, there are imported samples of fauna. Many swallows fly near the walls.
- Take photos and videos on the background of the fortress.
- Go around the neighborhood, see interesting places.
You need to be careful when walking on your own. Departure from the standard route is not recommended for beginners. The reason is that there are many hidden pits on the island, wells that are overgrown with plants. There is also a small rocky beach in Mamula Fortress . It is inconvenient to have a rest here.
How to get to the landmark
Mamula Fortress is convenient from Herceg Novi. From the central pier of the city there are regular sightseeing boats, boats. You can also rent a yacht to travel to the sights. Travel time to Mamula Island – 45-50 minutes. It depends on the travel program. Cost – from 5 euros per person.
Alternatives:
- Sign up for an excursion that includes a visit to the island. It is important to know the length of stay, what you can do.
- From Budva . You can go by sea. However, the cost of such a trip is more expensive than a trip from Herceg Novi.
- By car. We go to the Lustica peninsula to the nearest village to the island. A boat or a boat is rented here.
It is important to calculate the time spent on the island. You can get to Mamula Fortress relatively quickly. However, the infrastructure is not developed for a long vacation. You can see the sights, take photos or videos. Reviews indicate that the average stay is up to 1 hour.
Features of work
Entrance to the sights is free, no need to buy tickets. There is also no time limit. An early trip is recommended to visit Mamula Fortress . In the morning there are few tourists.
Important: There are no maintenance staff on site. Therefore, you need to be careful when exploring the surroundings. Children in particular need to be looked after. They can climb the walls, which can reach a height of 5 meters, or get off the hiking trail.