The Pearl of the Adriatic
Sveti Marko Island
Sveti Marko Island is a natural and cultural heritage pearl in the Tivat Bay. The island is entirely covered in greenery - primarily olive and cypress trees. It once was one of the most popular adventure tourism destinations in Montenegro.
The ancient Greek legend says that the island was the gift from Gods to the Greek soldiers who healed their wounds after the battles on the island. The soldiers were so grateful, that they swore that they would never instigate the war again and will only protect themselves if they have to. After the promise was broken, the enraged Gods sent a deadly storm that killed everyone on the island, apart from the old beautiful olive trees.
In the middle ages, during the rule of the Serbian monarchs, the name of the island was Sveti Gavrilo. According to another legend, there was the Gavrilo monastery on the island. This is how it got another name, which is still in use among Tivat natives - Gabrio.
After the Venetian Republic took over of the Boka Bay, the island became known as the Stradioti, after the Venetian cavalry. The cavalry mainly consisted of the ethnic Albanians, who had their fortress and barracks built on the island in 1499. Towards the end of the 16th century, the military units left the island and it got the new name after Saint Marco - Sveti Marko, the protector of Venice.
Natural features of the island
Beach
The island is famous for its 1,000-meter-long beach, 15 meters wide on average with absolutely transparent water and with the backdrop of picturesque neighbouring slopes.
Size
The island is elongated along the W direction towards SE (1580 m) with a maximum width of 432 m. Although a small island according to its surface area (P 34 ha). The highest parts of the island are 38.76 asl.
Bays
The island consists of five bays and five reefs from the south - southwestern side. Biggest one is with an entrance from the west about 80 m wide and an entrance to the island mainland about 200 m
Nature
The island coast, covered with olive, cypress groves and subtropical plants, is accessible to bathers who come here by boat.
The Climate
The climate of the Montenegro coast is affected by the Adriatic Sea. On a yearly average, the sun shines about 2,455 hours in a year. The longer decreases days are in June, July and August, with average roughly 931 hours per month.
On average, there are about 113 days with a temperature of 25°C or more and about 37.3 tropical days with a temperature of 30°C or more.
In Tivat and its surroundings, where Sveti Marko Island is situated, temperatures range from a minimum monthly average during January and February of about 12°C to 13°C and the winter brings heavy snow and great skiing to the mountain regions just 20 minutes away from Sveti Marko Island by helicopter.
Direct flights
from Dubrovnik or Tivat airport
Location
Montenegro
Sveti Marko Island is the largest isle on the Montenegrin coastline. It is located in the Kotor Bay (micro location - Tivat Bay), opposite the City of Tivat, between the Island of Flowers and the Lady of Mercy Island. The Bay is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. This area is a favoured for yachting, because of its beautiful nature, but is not limited to this. In the ports of Montenegro, yachts can get Tax free fuel, which attracts hundreds of yachts to the area.
Sveti Marko Island is located 25 minutes away from the City of Tivat, which is home to the international airport. The island is one hour away from Rome and Budapest by plane, two hours from Paris and three hours from Moscow. The developed transport network connects the island with other towns in this region, such as Kotor, Budva and Herceg-Novi. The cultural and historical centres of the Ancient Roman and Medieval era are nearby, and so is the legendary Saint Stephen’s Island.
The island, which was the realm of Gods in ancient Greek mythology, is an ideal place to create the first 6 class integrated resort in Europe.
Gallery
Development
Sveti Marko Island provides a unique opportunity to create the Dominion for ultra-wealthy people. The beautiful island with its virgin nature, great location and luxurious facilities could be a great place to live or rest.
According to the current development plan, the construction will be up to 80 000 m2
Hotel & SPA and Casino
20 000 m2 for 6 Hotel with SPA and Casino. The hotel is planned in the central part of the island with the capacity of 60 luxury rooms and suites. Along with all the other accompanying amenities, the highest level of service will be guaranteed.
Bungalows
12 000 m2 for construction of 100 different size bungalows from 100 to 145 m2. The bungalows will be located on the slopes of the island, as well as on the edge of the coast, while some will have balconies jutting out over the water.
Villas
44 000 m2 for 74 villas. It is planned that the complex on Sveti Marko Island will also have luxurious villas of various sizes from 345 to 925 m2. The villas will be located within the depths of the natural forests of the eastern and western parts of the island. These buildings located on the coast and slopes of the island will be among the most luxurious offers of this kind in the Balkans.
Services
3 000 m2 for Service facilities. The service docks will be located towards the north-eastern coast of the island. The primary strategy is that goods, services, foodstuffs and other supplies, as well as the recycled waste will be transported between the island and the coast in specifically designed small ships.
- 1. Sveti Marko Main Arrival Dock
- 2. Waterfront Plaza
- 3. Hotel Function and Facilities
- 4. Hotel Central Building
- 5. North Beach Club & Pool
- 6. Tunja Bungalows
- 7. North Bungalow Hillside
- 8. Sunset Restaurant & Bar
- 9. Destination Spa
- 10. South Bungalow Hillside
- 11. South Pool & Bar
- 12. South Waterside Restaurant
- 13. Western Villa Cluster
- 14. Eastern Villa Cluster
- 15. Service Building, Dock & Helipad
Development Project
Master Plan
The spatial organisation of a tourist complex on the Sveti Marko Island will consist of 3 zones. The coastal belt around the Sveti Marko Island is separated into distinct urban lots with a promenade, well-kept beaches and other public spaces and facilities in accordance with the zone in which the lot is located (beach bars, restaurants, bridge, dock, etc).
Each zone has a certain plan and identity in terms of the type of tourist facilities, the design of public space and landscaping. The zones contain several urban lots. They are connected by pedestrian and buggy paths, greenery and infrastructural systems into a unique high-quality tourist complex.
The central zone (Zone 1) is a hotel complex. Zones 2 and 3 are to be the complex of villas on the eastern or western part of the island. Luxurious villas and two to three floors tall terraced buildings will be adapted to the configuration of the terrain or partially buried in the slopes of the hill are planned in these zones. Special attention will be paid to preserving the green silhouette of the island and the landscape, as well as the cypress seedlings on the northern side of the island to form a "green" facade towards Tivat.
Villas are to be accessed by buggy paths, which will be incorporated into the existing greenery. Bridges or wooden docks for access as well as a temporary berth of yachts and boats are planned in the immediate vicinity of each villa.