MOVIELIKE MAMULA

GPS Coordinates:42°23'43.01" N 18°33'29.99" E

Marking the entrance of the UNESCO-protected Boka Kotorska Bay, Mamula - a fortress on a small rocky island-Lastavica lays around 3.4 nautical miles from the coastal town of Herceg Novi.

Circular shaped with a diameter of about 200 meters, surrounded by lots of agaves and with low vegetation fortress was built by Austro-Hungarian General Lazar Mamula in the mid-1800s to stop invaders from attacking the cities along the bay.

Fortress Mamula 

Ironically, not a single cannon shot was fired from the fortress. Along with 2 other fortresses, Arza and Prevlaka, it was used to control the entrance to Boka Bay. But unfortunately, the island had a different fate, painful and dark, by which many films would later be made.

During the First World War, the Austrians used the fortress as a prison, and during the Second World War it's turned into a concentration camp. The prison could accommodate several hundred prisoners, today is one of the biggest and best-preserved Austrian fortifications on the Adriatic.

Enterance in Boka Bay

The unique and secluded location gave the inspiration to shoot several movies including Campo Mamula 1959 movie about the history of this island. Also big Hollywood blockbuster Papillon found the perfect setting for the prison movie right here. Nymph (which was originally called Mamula) is a thriller/drama movie from 2014 that gives mermaids a darker, murderous side and it was filmed also on this island.

Recreantly, the Montenegrin government leased this protected cultural monument to be developed into a luxury 5-star resort, despite the opposition of the local population. Investors is turning Mamula into a unique hotel. After the reconstruction, the fortress will become a memorial museum open to visitors.

Despite the fact that the port on the island is abandoned, you can come close to dock with your tender or small boat for a short walk to feel a part of history.

You can swim, snorkel and scuba dive while on the island which is less than a nautical mile away from the bays of Zanjice and Miriste, overlooking the fortress of Arza. Mamula is an unavoidable place on your way through the Bay of Kotor.