Hotel opening of a historically protected monument in Montenegro
The historic Lastavica Island, also known as Mamula Island, is located near the border of Croatia and at the entrance to the 30-kilometer-long Boka Kotorska Bay. This region, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is rich in history and considered a valuable cultural monument. The hotel on Lastavica Island is set to open in late summer 2022 after undergoing a complete restoration that honors the fortress' historical roots. As far back as 1853, the bay was utilized by an Austrian general as a fortress for protection against invading forces.
Later, the island was transformed into a prison and was used by Italian fascist leader Mussolini for his own purposes. These dark times only came to an end with the end of World War II, as the Nazis also occupied the island as a camp in 1941. After the war, the building was left neglected and at risk of falling into disrepair, forcing the need to find a new purpose for the site due to its historical significance.
Later, the island was transformed into a prison and was used by Italian fascist leader Mussolini for his own purposes. These dark times only came to an end with the end of World War II, as the Nazis also occupied the island as a camp in 1941. After the war, the building was left neglected and at risk of falling into disrepair, forcing the need to find a new purpose for the site due to its historical significance.