Lazure Hotel & Marina History

08 JUNE 2022

The lazaretto of Castel-Novo^[1] in Dalmatia is on the shore about two miles from the city. At the back of it there is a delightful hill, which belongs to a convent of friars. Persons in quarantine, after a few days are allowed to walk there, and divert themselves with shooting, etc.

-1789, John Howard, An Account of the Principal Lazarettos in Europe

^[1] Italian for Herceg Novi

Let us guide you through centuries and tell you the story of Lazure Hotel and Marina…
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17th-18th centuries 

1687 – The Venetian Republic managed to take over Herceg Novi from the Ottoman Empire and turned it into a port, which they used for border and customs control for caravan and maritime trade.The Venetians knew that along with economic prosperity, merchants and goods from all over the world could bring dangerous diseases. To deal with this, a quarantine station for arriving merchants - lazaret^[2]- was needed.  

1700 – The Venetians built the first lazaret in Herceg Novi near the Old Town. But the location was not ideal, as it lacked a convenient harbor and there was a high risk of landslides.

^[2] The term ‘lazaret’ comes from the Italian word lazzaretto. It combines the name of the Venetian island of Santa Maria di Nazareth, where the first version of the quarantine institution was founded in 1423, and the name of St Lazarus, who was the patron saint of lepers and plague patients.
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‍ 1729–1732 – A new lazaret was built in the village Meljine near Herceg Novi.This marks the beginning of the history of Lazure Hotel & Marina.  

The lazaret provided new development opportunities for Herceg Novi: the town was granted free port status and became the center of health administration in the whole of Boka. 

The construction used the best technical, engineering and sanitary solutions available in Venetian architecture:
- Ships were welcomed by a convenient wide harbor with two piers and a breakwater
- The lazaret was well fortified. The complex of buildings was walled and completely isolated from the city, with the main (and until the restoration of 1767, only) entrance from the sea
- An open courtyard was the compositional and logistical center of the complex, around which administrative and stationary buildings and additional courtyards were located.
- The Chapel of St Roch^[3] faced the main courtyard
- A water fountain was located in the center of the courtyard, supplied by a spring near the Savina monastery

The lazaret was the sea gate for the city and the whole bay: it was where permission was granted for people and goods to travel further by land or sea. 

^[3] St Roch (c. 1259-1327) was a Catholic saint who gained fame as a defender against the plague.

19th-20th centuries

1814 – As Herceg Novi fell under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the lazaret continued its work, becoming part of the infrastructure of the Naval Department.  

1830–1837 – The lazaret was closed. Soon after, it became part of the recently organized Harbour and Sanitary Office at Meljine.

1880s – The complex was restored, and new constructions were added near the Venetian building, just about where the Lazure Residences are located. 

‍1901 – А Galeba—Zelenika railway was built. In the area of Herceg Novi and Meljine, it ran along the coast and went around the lazaret complex. 

1934 – The complex was no longer used as a lazaret, instead functioning as a military building for several decades.  

1979 – The sturdy Venetian masonry walls safely survived an earthquake of enormous destructive power. 

1980s – On the back of a surge in tourism in Montenegro, there were plans to use the complex for recreational purposes. Some of the buildings were used as a children's summer camp.  

21st century

2006 – Montenegro gained independence and tourism became a priority sector of its economy. The lazaret, despite its advantageous location on the coast and its historical and cultural value, remained abandoned.

2014 – The complex of the lazaret, which had been neglected for a long time, attracted the attention of investors.The building was included in the list of cultural heritage sites in Montenegro. Its historical and architectural significance became the basis for the development of the hotel and marina concept.  

‍2015–2018—The 18th-century Venetian building opened a new chapter in its history:it has been thoughtfully restored and reconstructed to reappear as a unique point on the Adriatic coast, where the past intertwines with the new.  

As it was centuries ago, Lazure welcomes modern-day explorers, offering them not only permission to enter the vibrant town of Herceg Novi but also a tranquil escape into history.

The combined efforts of researchers, restorers, architects, designers, and managers created a modern luxury resort, that preserves its storied past and genius loci.

The project, realized by the architectural bureau OMORIKA, combines the functionality of the 18th century building with the best tourism technologies of the 21st century:
- The hotel marina offers 156 mooring places for yachts and a full range of services.
- The 18th-century building has become the heart of the complex where rooms and suites, bar and restaurants and event halls are located.
- The central courtyard of the historic building has been covered with a glass ceiling and is now the main foyer of the hotel.
- The Chapel of St. Roch has been restored, and based onthe fragments of a Venetian fresco found in 2015, the artist Nino Radoš createdan image of St. Roch.
- The fountain in the center of the complex continues to provide guests with clean water as before.
- Next to the historical building, the 17th centuryTurkish House has been reconstructed, and a new residential building, spa center, pool and yacht club were built.
- In Lazure’s grounds, guests are welcomed by botanical diversity (typical of the whole bay, but in this case carefully planned):centuries-old pine trees, palms, cycads, citrus trees, yuccas, agaves, lavender and rosemary.
- The hotel's interiors, with contemporary paintings and sculptures added^[4], frame the breathtaking views surrounding the building. 

‍^[4] Featured artists include Ljubomir Popadić, ĐorđijeBato Boljević, Vaso Nikčević, Sreten Nikčević, Ivica Aranđus

‍2018 – The 5-star Lazure Hotel & Marina opened its doors to guests who appreciate the blend of glorious history, contemporary comfort, and breathtaking surrounding views.

Its name echoes the site’s previous use as well as the history of the whole region. At the same time, it evokes the serenity of azure skies and tranquil seas, promising a luxurious retreat where the past and present harmoniously collide.To solidify this, azure is the main accent in the architecture and interiors. 

‍Welcome to Lazure Hotel & Marina, a space with 300 years of history, one of the most attractive places on the Adriatic coast!