A former Venetian fortress and quarantine, today it is a symbol of Petrovac and a restaurant

If you go to Montenegro this or any other summer, you must visit Petrovac. It is a coastal town located only 30 minutes from Budva and has a very similar coastal characteristic.

Apart from being known for its beaches, and two exceptional islets, just like Budva, Petrovac has an interesting fortress.

Petrovac Fortress – Castello fort, Photo: Pilat666 Depositphotos

Petrovac Fortress, known as Castello (Kastelo) and Castio Fortress, is located at the end of the Petrovac city beach and next to the Reževići hiking trail leading to Red rock bay.

The fortress and Lazaret were built sometime between the 15th and 16th centuries by the Republic of Venice, which is why Petrovac was also called Kastel Lastva until 1919.

Petrovac Fortress – Castello fort, Photo: Smallredgirl Depositphotos

The Lazaret was originally a quarantine where all those suffering from various diseases received treatment, a military administration center, and a prison during the First and Second World Wars. Another part is Kastelo, a tower that served for defense purposes and had fortification features. After the Austro-Hungarian rule came, it was demolished.

The Venetian garrison spent most of its time in the fortress, and products such as wine were even exported from it.

After the end of the wars, the Petrovac fortress was abandoned. It was renovated sometime in the early 1970s for the needs of a catering facility, and as it used to be, as it is today, right inside that fortress there is not only a catering facility with the best view of the bay of Petrovac and the islets of Katič and Sveta Neđelja, but also a lounge bar which can be enjoyed by both locals and tourists.

Right next to it, on the viewpoint, there is a cannon that dates back to the time when the fortress was built and a monument to fallen soldiers.