Grmožur was once an island of snakes and political prisoners, but today, it’s birds paradise!

Grmožur is a small stone island on Lake Skadar in Montenegro, which has an interesting and turbulent history.

It used to be known as Montenegrin Alcatraz because it housed the prison for the most serious criminals and political opponents of King Nikola. Today it is an ornithological reserve, which attracts nature and adventure lovers.

Grmozur Fortress, Photo: Suhopese, CC BY 2.0 DEED

On Grmožur, the Ottomans built a fortress in 1843, which was used for defense against Montenegrins. The fortress fell into the hands of the Montenegrin army in 1878, after which King Nikola decided to turn the islet into a prison.

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One of the reasons why Grmožur is called Montenegrin Alcatraz was the cruel rule according to which the guard, from whom a prisoner escaped, would take his place in the dungeon and serve his sentence.

Convicts who committed the most serious crimes, as well as supporters of the Karađorđević dynasty, which was in conflict with King Nikola, were sent to Grmožur. Among them were students from Belgrade, who were accused of attempting to assassinate the king.

Grmozur Fortress, Photo: Ilya Bogin, CC BY 2.0 DEED

Life on Grmožur was not easy. Prisoners were exposed to difficult conditions, diseases, hunger, and violence. It was almost impossible to escape from the island, and the stories say that it was only possible once, who managed to do it by using the prison door as a raft.

After the earthquake in 1905, Grmožur was badly damaged, so it stopped serving as a prison, and the prisoners were transferred to Podgorica. The fortress on Grmožur was never rebuilt, and today only its remains can be seen.

Grmozur Fortress, Photo: Raymond Zoller, CC BY 2.0 DEED

The island then became a habitat and resting place for various species of birds, especially pelicans, which are protected as a natural asset. Grmožur is especially attractive for tourists, who can visit it by boat and enjoy the view of Lake Skadar and the surrounding mountains.