On an island just off the coast of Montenegro, in what was formerly known as Lastavica, sits an ancient fortress with dark secrets. This castle, called Mamula Castle, was built in the 1850s by the Austro-Hungarian admiral Lazar Mamula. This island, also known by the names of Mamyla, is now recognized as a cultural monument protected by UNESCO. Since a large part of the castle remains standing, it is visited with interest by tourists.
The island of Mamula has many stories and films that have been dramatized throughout history. One of them is the 1959 Yugoslav film Campo Mamula. Movie, II. It tells the story of the conversion of the island into a concentration camp during World War II. In 2013, Mamula, a Serbian film, was announced. Later renamed Killer Mermaid (Killer Mermaid), the film tells the story of a former German soldier in the history of the island, killing people to feed a mermaid. The film was shot on the island and released for overseas screenings.
Mamula Island is located 6 kilometers from the city of Herceg Novi. The island has a park surrounded by a historical castle and covered with natural vegetation. Mamula Island is a popular tourist destination for historical excursions, and many of the historical artifacts and structures on the island still stand. However, there are no facilities for tourists to stay on the island.
To reach Mamula Island, boats to Blue Cave are used and historical excursions are organized on the island. Snorkeling is common around the island. Under the clear and still waters, you can encounter magnificent views. You can also create a romantic atmosphere by swimming in the water and watching the night sky.
History and Features of Mamula Castle
The diameter of the circular island is about 200 square meters and the height of the castle is 16 meters. The castle on the island covers 90 percent of the total area. Built in 1853, the castle was placed in a strategic position to protect the area from enemy attacks. The fortress section of Mamula Island has a two-storey structure, with rooms, dungeons and military warehouses on both floors. The exterior of the structure is equipped with trenches and artillery positions. There are also military structures on the island, such as water tanks, ovens and barracks in the fort.
The Bay of Kotor has historically been controlled along with the Mamula Fortress, Azra and Prevlaka forts. The Austro-Hungarian navy strongly protected the Boka Kotorska bay thanks to these forts. Although Mamula Fortress was built for military purposes, it was used as a prison and concentration camp in both world wars. In the 1950s, during the Yugoslav period, a touristic building and restaurant were established on the island. However, in the following years, due to neglect and neglect, the structures on the island were destroyed and the situation of the island deteriorated.
In recent years, the touristic potential of Mamula Island has been discovered and a tourism complex is planned to be built on the island. However, this project has led to discussions about the preservation of the island’s historical and cultural values.
The Story of Mamula Castle
Mamula Castle was used as a prison by the Austro-Hungarians during the First World War and as a concentration camp by the followers of Mussolini during the Second World War. This frightening castle, which is about 200 meters tall, housed 2,000 prisoners. Among the prisoners were women and children, and they were all starved, beaten and tortured.
The island and fortress of Mamula was occupied by the Italian Army during World War II and used as a concentration camp by ethnic Serb militia against the people of Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro. The prison has gained notoriety for the torture and ruthless treatment of prisoners. Although some sources say that 150 prisoners died in the concentration camp, there are rumors among the public that this figure is higher.
Use of Mamula Castle for Touristic Purposes
The touristic use plans of the island of Mamula have been the subject of discussion since 2013. In early January 2016, the Montenegrin government transferred the site of the former concentration camp to Switzerland-based Orascom Development Holding AG in a 49-year lease agreement, despite the objections of those previously imprisoned on the island. This decision was also criticized by former United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Boutros-Ghali told the Montenegrin Parliament that he was surprised that “the only solution to preserve and use the fort is a business arrangement and privatization agreement”.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization stated that the island should be protected as a monument, not a tourism complex, and suggested that the island be turned into a museum or a peace center. However, the Montenegrin government has decided to use the island for tourism purposes. According to the statements of the Montenegrin Government, it is stated that investments should be made in order to use the island of Mamula for touristic purposes and these investments cannot be met from the government’s budget. For this reason, it is aimed to restore the island and the castle in cooperation with investors and open it to tourists.
