Description of the attraction
The island of Mamula is represented by a small rounded rocky island located next to the famous resort of the country Herceg Novi. It was once called the Swallow, until in the middle of the 19th century, a defensive fortress was built on it by the governor of Austro-Hungarian Dalmatia, General Lazar Mamula, in order to protect the Bay of Kotor from attack from the sea. Since then, the island has such a name.
Although it is not large in size, it was of great importance due to its strategic location. The island seems to lock the entrance to the bay, which it was decided to use in the course of hostilities. It began to function as a defensive fort.
And during both (both the 1st and 2nd) world wars, the fortress was used as a prison, and the fame of this place was bad - there is information that the prisoners-fighters for free Montenegro, held there, were brutally tortured. The fortress has been well preserved to this day and is now under state protection as a cultural monument.
Today the island is famous for its city park, which is home to a large number of tropical and subtropical plants, including several of the most unique varieties of mimosa. In the winter season, the world famous Mimosa Festival is held here, which lasts a whole month.
An especially beautiful view of the bay opens from the side of any ship passing by. You can see that all the slopes of Boka Kotorska are cut by three tunnels for submarines. It was once part of the military power of Yugoslavia. Submarines fell into tunnels under water, and the enemy never knew if they were inside the peninsula or had already gone into the open sea.
Today everything, of course, looks abandoned and orphaned, although, according to some reports, Montenegro has its own submarine fleet. Boka Kotorska also owns a shipyard.
Now, one-day excursions for tourists, travelers and artists are organized on the island and the Mamula fort; passing cruise ships stop here without fail. Everyone who comes here is enchanted by its natural beauty, steep rocky shores, and the northern side of the island opens up to a beautiful secluded beach.
