Mamula Island's Former Concentration Camp To Be Transformed Into Luxury Beach Resort

Montenegro’s government has greenlit plans to transform a former World War II concentration camp into a luxury beach resort with a nightclub, spa and restaurants. The decision has been met with anger from families of those who were imprisoned on Mamula Island while it was occupied by Italian forces under the rule of fascist leader Benito Mussolini. With the goal of transforming the rocky island into a retreat for wealthy clientele, renderings show a restored fortress with an overflow pool and palm trees, VIP area, outdoor dining, a beach club, a marina for superyachts, and a dance floor for parties. Located near Montenegro’s border with Croatia, the circular island, also known as Lastavica, is in the Adriatic Sea at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor. It is dominated by a fort that was built in 1853 under Austro-Hungarian rule to prevent a naval attack. The island is uninhabited and the fortress is unused, but it was the scene of unspeakable horrors during the war, when it was converted into a concentration camp that held more than 2,000 people. Dozens of prisoners were tortured and killed, while others died of starvation. In an attempt to capitalise on interest from tourists, Montenegro’s government advertised it as an investment opportunity in December 2013 and last year agreed a 49-year lease deal with Switzerland-based Orascom Development Holding AG. At the time, the government said the €15million (£11million) project would create 200 jobs. The deal was approved this week, paving the way for the island to be transformed into a four- or five-star resort. A report by Balkan Insight said the plans have angered families of locals who were imprisoned on the island. They urged the government to reconsider, but their appeals were ignored. Before the tender was awarded, Montenegro said any development would have to comply with ‘conservation requirements’ and require government approval, as the island is protected as a cultural monument. Developers were told they would have to preserve and protect the basic form of the structure, layout and inscriptions on the façade while maintaining the cultural and historical character of the fort and the natural environment. Billionaire Samih Sawiris, chief executive and board chairman of Orascom, previously said the resort would include a museum, Balkan Insight reported, but renderings and a map on the project’s website make no mention of one. MailOnline Travel has contacted Orascom for comment. The renderings were produced by Serbian firm Salt&Water in collaboration with Sima Multimedia. Salt&Water said Mamula Island boasts one of the best preserved Austro-Hungarian fortresses in the Adriatic. In order to preserve the unique façade, ‘all potential intervention on the fortress had to be minimised,’ the studio said in a statement.

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