Initially, twelve families lived on the island along with a fortress. By the 1800s, a village of approximately 400 people had been built on the island. In the first half of the 20th century, the island's population declined as residents joined the army or emigrated abroad. Although the island had 400 residents in the 19th century, by 1954, only 20 people remained. The Yugoslavian government converted the island into a luxury hotel, relocated the remaining residents to the mainland, and the island village became an exclusive resort used by the world's prominent elite.
Casino
One of the four churches of the Praskvica Monastery on Sveti Stefan was converted into a casino by the government. The resort hosted many celebrities, including Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Margaret, Carlo Ponti, Ingemar Stenmark, and Kirk Douglas, and was dubbed the "playground of the Adriatic in the '70s." It was also used for political conferences and occasionally as a chess venue, attracting top players like Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer. However, the resort declined with the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
The island is located in the central part of Montenegro's Adriatic coast, south of Budva, between Pržno and Petrovac na Moru. Pink sandy beaches, including Sveti Stefan, Miločer Beach, and Queen's Beach, form part of its coastline. The island has an area of 12,400 square meters (0.0124 square kilometers).
Initially, twelve families lived on the island along with a fortress. By the 1800s, a village of approximately 400 people had been built on the island. In the first half of the 20th century, the island's population declined as residents joined the army or emigrated abroad. Although the island had 400 residents in the 19th century, by 1954, only 20 people remained. The Yugoslavian government converted the island into a luxury hotel, relocated the remaining residents to the mainland, and the island village became an exclusive resort used by the world's prominent elite.
Casino
One of the four churches of the Praskvica Monastery on Sveti Stefan was converted into a casino by the government. The resort hosted many celebrities, including Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Margaret, Carlo Ponti, Ingemar Stenmark, and Kirk Douglas, and was dubbed the "playground of the Adriatic in the '70s." It was also used for political conferences and occasionally as a chess venue, attracting top players like Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer. However, the resort declined with the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
🕊️ Narration
A solitary church stands quietly in the middle of the sea.
For the people of Montenegro, this place is a symbol of faith and hope.
"Sveta Nedelja" means "Holy Sunday."
It is said to have been built to honor the souls of sailors who lost their lives in storms.
A place of prayer nestled in the heart of nature—
The stillness and strength of Montenegro are embodied in this tiny church.
📖 Details
■ Name and Meaning
“Sveta Nedelja” means “Holy Sunday” in Slavic languages.
It also refers to Saint Nedelja (or Saint Sunday), a revered martyr in many Eastern Orthodox traditions.
■ Location and Geography
Location: A small island off the coast of Petrovac, Montenegro
Access: About 5–10 minutes by boat from the local port
Features:
The church is built on a natural rock formation, completely isolated by the sea.
It has stone walls, a red-tiled roof, and a small bell tower.
Its unique placement gives it the appearance of floating on the sea, making it especially striking in aerial footage.
■ History and Legend
The church is believed to have been constructed in the late 19th century by local fishermen.
According to legend, it was built as an offering of gratitude by shipwreck survivors who were saved in these waters.
Fishermen and sailors would offer prayers here before setting sail, asking for safe passage on the open sea.
The first record of Sveti Stefan is as the capital of the independent Paštrovići community from the 12th century, which became a Venetian protectorate in 1423. The Paštrovići accepted Venetian rule out of fear of Turkish attacks. They accepted Venetian rule on the condition that they would not pay any tribute to Venice and would stop pirating Venetian ships.
According to a legend passed down by Stjepan Mitrov Ljubiša, the town's defensive walls were allegedly funded after the Paštrovići looted Turkish ships anchored in front of Jazz during the Siege of Kotor in 1539. However, the town was soon destroyed during the Fourth Ottoman-Venetian War. Following the continuous pleas of the Paštrovići, the Republic of Venice agreed to rebuild the town in the 16th century. In the 15th century, the fortified village was built for defense against the Turks and became a sanctuary for Adriatic pirates.
The Government of Montenegro proposed to recreate the island's old charm and issued an international tender for a revitalization project. The contract was awarded to Aman Resorts in 2007, and the renovated resort was completed in 2009. Aman Sveti Stefan holds a 30-year lease. On July 13, 2010, Montenegro's Statehood Day, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli held a concert to celebrate the hotel's Golden Jubilee. The hotel was awarded the Hotel of the Year by the Gallivanter's Guide in 2010.
Villa Miločer
Villa Miločer was constructed between 1934 and 1936 as the summer residence for Queen Marija of the Karađorđević dynasty of Serbia. Villa Miločer was renovated as part of the Aman Sveti Stefan Resort project, which took place from 2008 to 2009. The villa, surrounded by 800 olive trees, spans an area of 32 hectares.
Initially, twelve families lived on the island along with a fortress. By the 1800s, a village of approximately 400 people had been built on the island. In the first half of the 20th century, the island's population declined as residents joined the army or emigrated abroad. Although the island had 400 residents in the 19th century, by 1954, only 20 people remained. The Yugoslavian government converted the island into a luxury hotel, relocated the remaining residents to the mainland, and the island village became an exclusive resort used by the world's prominent elite.
Casino
One of the four churches of the Praskvica Monastery on Sveti Stefan was converted into a casino by the government. The resort hosted many celebrities, including Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Margaret, Carlo Ponti, Ingemar Stenmark, and Kirk Douglas, and was dubbed the "playground of the Adriatic in the '70s." It was also used for political conferences and occasionally as a chess venue, attracting top players like Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer. However, the resort declined with the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
モンテネグロはバルカン半島(はんとう)に位置(いち)する共和制(きょうわせい)国家(こっか)です。アドリア(あどりあ)海(かい)に面(めん)しており、海(うみ)を挟(はさ)んだ対岸(たいがん)には、イタリア半島(はんとう)があります。隣国(りんこく)はクロアチア、ボスニア・ヘルツェゴビナ、セルビア、アルバニア、コソボです。国名(こくめい)は、公用語(こうようご)のモンテネグロ語(ご)では Crna Gora(ツルナ・ゴーラ)と呼(よ)ばれ、ヴェネト語(ご)では、Montenegro(モンテネグロ)と呼(よ)ばれます。どちらも「黒(くろ)い山(やま)」を意味(いみ)しており、ロブチェン山(やま)に由来(ゆらい)しています。
Montenegro is a republic located on the Balkan Peninsula. It faces the Adriatic Sea, and the Italian Peninsula lies across the sea. Its neighboring countries are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. The country's name is called Crna Gora in the official Montenegrin language and Montenegro in the Venetian language. Both names mean "Black Mountain" and derive from Mount Lovćen.
モンテネグロはバルカン半島(はんとう)に位置(いち)する共和制(きょうわせい)国家(こっか)です。アドリア(あどりあ)海(かい)に面(めん)しており、海(うみ)を挟(はさ)んだ対岸(たいがん)には、イタリア半島(はんとう)があります。隣国(りんこく)はクロアチア、ボスニア・ヘルツェゴビナ、セルビア、アルバニア、コソボです。国名(こくめい)は、公用語(こうようご)のモンテネグロ語(ご)では Crna Gora(ツルナ・ゴーラ)と呼(よ)ばれ、ヴェネト語(ご)では、Montenegro(モンテネグロ)と呼(よ)ばれます。どちらも「黒(くろ)い山(やま)」を意味(いみ)しており、ロブチェン山(やま)に由来(ゆらい)しています。
Montenegro is a republic located on the Balkan Peninsula. It faces the Adriatic Sea, and the Italian Peninsula lies across the sea. Its neighboring countries are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. The country's name is called Crna Gora in the official Montenegrin language and Montenegro in the Venetian language. Both names mean "Black Mountain" and derive from Mount Lovćen.