Herceg Novi: Collector demolishes fences, houses and fortifications

Due to the works on the sewage collector on the Pet Danica promenade in Herzegnov, retaining walls, fences, and residential buildings were damaged, which is why the owners filed or announced lawsuits against the contractor - the Turkish company Ćeltićoglu.

Valuable cultural monuments are also at risk: the Forte Mare fortress and the southern parts of the city walls, because the works have started near them. Although the consent of the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Properties is necessary for all works carried out on the cultural property, that is, in the area of ​​its protected environment, it was not obtained. As "Vijesti" was informed by the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property, they did not issue "Consent for the Sewerage System Project in Herceg Novi, because the project was not submitted to them for approval."

Inspections notified

"After being informed on March 11.03.2015, XNUMX, about the works being carried out in the vicinity of cultural assets, namely the southern part of the City Walls and the Forte Mare Fortress, on the same day, the Administration informed the Administration for Inspection Affairs and requested that the inspector responsible for protection of cultural property," said Marija Popović, head of the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property of PJ Kotor.

The Forte Mare fortress is one of the better-preserved Herzegovinian fortresses, the construction of which was started by Herceg Stjepan Vukčić Kosača in the first half of the 15th century.

During the Turkish era, the fortress got its present dimensions, and the Turks added to it and renovated it on several occasions. It is assumed that the most extensive works were carried out after 1542, because from that time it is mentioned as a strong tower or the tower of Abbas Pasha. By conquering Herceg Novi, the Venetians rebuilt the tower. With the arrival of Austria-Hungary on the territory of Boka, the fortress fits into the fortification system for the defense of the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. Today, this protected cultural monument houses a summer cinema and a discotheque.

The Venetians rebuilt and the city and monuments

In 1984, the Citadel fortress was entered into the Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments of Montenegro as an urban, architectural and ambient unit. According to historical data, the foundation of the Citadel was laid by the Bosnian king Tvrtko, who founded the city in 1381.

It died in the 17th century in the earthquake of 1667 and in the battles of the Venetians with the Turks. When the Venetians conquered the city, they rebuilt it, as well as the Citadel, which was enlarged during their 110-year rule.

Money spent on reconstruction after the 1979 earthquake.

The ravages of time destroyed the Citadel fortress over the years, and at the beginning of the 20th century, with the construction of the railway, the building was "well, although not visibly shaken". The last "blow" to the Citadel came in a devastating earthquake in 1979, when one part fell into the sea.

Although funds were intended for the reconstruction of the Citadel after the earthquake, they were used for the construction of cultural centers, and for the fortress on the sea coast, only a rehabilitation program was carried out, in which the framework program for the reconstruction of the Citadel and its future purpose was specified.

Now the fortress is threatened again, the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property has notified the competent inspection, so they are waiting for their reaction in Herceg Novi.