The Bankada Foundation and NGO “Sveti Stefan Our Home”, together with local citizens from the Sveti Stefan and broader Paštrovići area, are developing a platform to protect Sveti Stefan.
The platform will include 12 key points, symbolizing the 12 Paštrovići tribes that collectively built Sveti Stefan in the late 15th century. It will address critical issues threatening the site, which has been listed among the seven most endangered cultural heritage sites in Europe for 2023 by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute.
Key concerns include restricted public access to the island, limited access to beaches and public paths in Miločer, the protection of Miločer Park and historic villas, and the neglect of the open-air theater near Sveti Stefan. These restrictions violate international and domestic cultural heritage laws, including the Faro Convention and Montenegro’s Law on Cultural Heritage, which guarantee public rights to enjoy and contribute to cultural sites.
The platform proposes establishing a museum or visitor center on the island, providing educational access to Sveti Stefan’s rich history, including the Bankada assembly of Paštrovići tribes, notable historical figures, and layers of heritage from the medieval period through Venetian, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav times. This would promote sustainable cultural tourism and education for future generations.
The organizations call for public and institutional support to make Sveti Stefan accessible year-round, combining controlled daily visits with ongoing hotel operations to ensure the island serves both as a cultural treasure and an economic resource for Montenegro.
The initiative emphasizes balancing private interests with public access, preserving Sveti Stefan as a national and cultural asset while fostering sustainable tourism and community benefits.
