Stradioti - The most important information
Stradioti or St. Marko's Island is located west of the Island of Cveca and is the largest island in the Bay of Kotor, in Montenegro. The area of the island is about 34 ha, while the coast is 4 km long. It has been leased to the French club MEDITERANEE for decades. St. Marko's Island used to be a big attraction with clean beaches and phenomenal sea that surrounds it. Today, this island is neglected and abandoned for years.
History of Stradioti
The name Stradioti comes from the time of the Venetians, because it was on this island that a camp of Venetian soldiers of Greek origin was located. In Greek, the word stradiotes means soldier. The origin of the island and its turbulent history are shrouded in mystery. In the time of Nemanjic, the island was known as Saint Gavrilo, because there was a monastery of the same name dedicated to Saint Gavrilu. It was later named in Venetian times. Legend has it that the Greek gods chose this island, because of its magical beauty, for the rest of the best soldiers. They planted olives and asked for forgiveness of sins, and they were forbidden to fight. They violated the order, and the angry gods sent a storm on the island and destroyed everything. That leaves only the olive groves and the island to bear witness to the legend.
Significance of Stradioti
Stradioti was once a luxury closed resort called San Marco Resort, owned by a French company from 1962 to 1991. At that time, there were over 300 exotic reed houses on the island. And it was a very important and popular tourist attraction. The remains of the houses are still on the island. However, although the resort no longer exists, this island is significant as a natural resource. Cypresses give a special freshness when you are there. Nature is a phenomenon and looks like a rainforest. It is possible to swim on the beach and in the bays.
How to reach Stradiot?
- By boat: This island can only be reached by sea. It takes about 20 minutes for the boat from the city promenade Pine to reach Stradioti.