St. Stephen, for the time being, was just a fishing island. But in the 1950s, the Yugoslav government decided to evict all local residents to the mainland. This was done to create a luxury hotel.
On July 13, 1960, the opening of the island-hotel took place. It is worth noting that the hotel was very popular among various celebrities. The hotel is still operating today. It is a pleasant fact that all the historical buildings and churches on the island have been restored.
Before the coronavirus, it was possible to book a tour of the hotel island, now the gates are tightly closed.
History
According to historical records from 1442, the inhabitants of the community of Paštrovići successfully resisted the Ottoman invasion and erected a church and fortress on the island, naming them in honor of Stefan the First Martyr – thus began the history of Sveti Stefan.
Formerly a fishing village, Sveti Stefan became an important trade center and transportation hub during the Venetian Republic. However, in the early 19th century, an economic crisis led to the decline of the island city. In 1955, the island was transformed into a luxury resort complex, while preserving the appearance of the old buildings.
Celebrities from all over the world, such as Bobby Fisher, Sophia Loren, Claudia Schiffer and others have vacationed on Sveti Stefan. Soviet marshals, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and other famous personalities also stayed here.
The village on the mainland of Sveti Stefan also has a developed tourist infrastructure. Prices for apartments here are higher than the average in Montenegro, but lower than in hotels on the island. An interesting place is Villa Milocer, the former summer residence of Queen Maria of Yugoslavia.
Sveti Stefan was originally a small island and settlement, mentioned in 1442 when the inhabitants of Paštrovići fought the Ottoman invaders. The settlement later became a thriving trading center under the Venetian Republic, but fell into decline in the early 19th century. In 1955, the island was transformed into a luxury resort complex, preserving its historical atmosphere, while on the mainland the village also offers a variety of tourist opportunities.