The Bankada Foundation, alongside the NGO “Sveti Stefan naš dom” and local citizen groups from the “Sveti Stefan” Local Community and the entire Paštrovići area, is dedicated to forming a platform aimed at preserving Sveti Stefan.

“This platform will feature 12 points, symbolically representing the 12 Pastr tribes that constructed Sveti Stefan in the latter half of the 15th century. These tribes worked together in a collective, egalitarian, and inclusive manner, upholding democratic and equality principles that inspire us in the 21st century. The document will outline the critical issues that have led to the current precarious state of this national treasure. Notably, Sveti Stefan has recently been listed among the seven most endangered cultural heritage sites in Europe for 2023 by the Europa Nostra organization and the European Investment Bank Institute,” the NGOs informed “Vijesti”.

They stressed that the platform will tackle various management and protection issues concerning Sveti Stefan and the surrounding Miločer area.

“This encompasses restricted access to Sveti Stefan as a national cultural asset for both citizens and tourists, denied access to beaches and public trails in Miločer, the protection of Miločer Park—yet to be officially recognized as a cultural asset—and the historical villas within it, which face potential threats. Additionally, there are concerns about the disruption and neglect of the open-air theater in the Sveti Stefan contact zone, along with other risks to public interest and cultural heritage in this region. A significant issue is the lack of access to Sveti Stefan, Montenegro’s cultural and natural gem. It is astounding that citizens and visitors have been unable to step foot on the island or learn about its rich history for several years, which directly contradicts both international and domestic standards regarding public rights to cultural heritage,” emphasized the Bankada Foundation and the NGO “Sveti Stefan naš dom”.

They pointed out that Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Faro Convention from the Council of Europe on the Importance of Cultural Heritage for Society, which Montenegro ratified in 2007, states clearly: “Everyone, individually and collectively, has the right to enjoy the benefits of cultural heritage and to contribute to its enrichment.”

“Moreover, the domestic Law on the Protection of Cultural Property (Article 5, paragraph 1) asserts: “Everyone has the right, under equal conditions, individually or collectively, to use cultural property for participating in cultural life, enjoyment, scientific progress, or other benefits arising from it, and to contribute to its enrichment and preservation.” Unfortunately, for over a decade, we have witnessed a blatant violation of these civilizational norms regarding Sveti Stefan and Miločer. Both international conventions and national laws have been disregarded: the island has effectively been closed to the public, denying basic human rights,” the NGO stated.

They further expressed concern that the relevant authorities, responsible for ensuring adherence to these standards, have remained passive for years.

“They have permitted the illegal usurpation of public national resources to promote narrow private interests related to luxury real estate sales within a protected zone. This negligence has resulted in widespread legal violations and infringement of citizens’ rights, leading to serious social repercussions. The local community and the state of Montenegro have lost numerous benefits—economic, cultural, scientific, sociological, educational, and more. It is imperative to halt this trend. We must recognize the situation and act responsibly to safeguard the public interest,” these NGOs stressed.

The forthcoming platform, they added, will emphasize resolving the issue of free access to Sveti Stefan as a protected immovable cultural property of national significance.

“One key demand will be the establishment of a museum or visitor center on the island, in line with international heritage standards. This would enable all interested parties to explore the values of Sveti Stefan, whose history dates back to the 15th century. We would like to remind everyone that the famous Bankada (assembly of the Pastr tribes) convened on Sveti Stefan, which is just one of the many remarkable historical details that can attract visitors. The island is also home to significant births: national hero Vukica Mitrović-Šunja and her brother, poet Stefan Mitrović, as well as Visarion Ljubiša, the Montenegrin metropolitan and the first minister of education (church works) and the first president of the Red Cross of Montenegro. The cultural heritage of Sveti Stefan is rich and multi-layered, spanning the Middle Ages, through the Venetian and Austro-Hungarian periods, to the Yugoslav anti-fascist heritage. This represents an immense potential for sustainable cultural tourism and educating future generations,” the Bankada Foundation and the NGO “Sveti Stefan naš dom” concluded.

They implore state institutions, the professional community, and all citizens to support both the development and implementation of this platform.

“By working together, we can salvage Sveti Stefan, preserve our national gem, and transform it into a catalyst for cultural and economic prosperity for everyone.”

An Economically Invaluable Gift of Nature and Culture

According to the Bankada Foundation and the NGO “Sveti Stefan naš dom,” the economic potential of Sveti Stefan is exceptional.

“For instance, the Lepetane–Kamenari ferry line reportedly generated around 20 million euros in just three years, as recent media reports have indicated. By the same reasoning, every tourist visiting Montenegro would want to experience Sveti Stefan, and revenue from organized tours to the island could significantly exceed this amount. Unlike a ferry operation, managing pedestrian tourist access to the island incurs much lower costs (fuel, repairs, servicing, crew, etc.), making Sveti Stefan an even more profitable resource when viewed from a business perspective. Sveti Stefan stands as an invaluable gift of nature and culture for us all. The choice lies in whether we will be wise stewards acting in the common interest or allow private interests to overshadow the public good.

In line with this, we demand that Sveti Stefan be open to visitors year-round, not just during the summer season. Permitting controlled daily access to the island, alongside hotel operations, could position Sveti Stefan as a model for sustainable tourism in Montenegro. We believe that a balance can be struck: while the island can remain an exclusive hotel, a portion of Sveti Stefan must be accessible to citizens and tourists daily for specified hours, just as it was during the former Yugoslavia,” they emphasized.

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