Mogren Fortress
{{Short description|19th century Austro-Hungarian Fortress in Budva, Montenegro}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Mogren Fortress
| native_name = Тврђава Могрен
| image = Mogren Fortress - View to Sveti Nikola Island and the Old Town (2).jpg
| caption = The remains of the fortress on Spas Hill near Budva
| location = Budva, Montenegro
| coordinates = {{coords|42.2751|18.8270}}
| elevation = {{convert|110|m|ft}}
| built = 1860
| built_for = Austro-Hungarian Empire
| owner = Montenegro
| native_language = cnr
| designation1 =
| map_relief = 1
| locmapin = Montenegro
}}Mogren Fortress (also known as Fort Mogren, Fort Jaz and Jaz troop) is a ruined fortress overlooking the Budva Riviera and Adriatic Sea in the municipality of Budva built by the Austrian Empire in 1860.
The fortress is set on the Spas Hill above the Mogren 2 Beach 1km to the west of the Budva Old Town. Today, only the walls of the fortress and World War II bunkers remain.
The fortress is accessible by car (E65 & E80 Budva-Tivat road) and by a short hike up the hill from the Mogren 2 Beach below.
History
= Construction =
The fortress, originally named Fort Jaz, was built in 1860 by soldiers of the Austrian Empire as a barracks and military base to defend the western borders of Budva and control all roads leading to the city.{{Cite web |title=Tvrđava Mogren |url=https://muzejiigalerijebd.me/tvrdava-mogren/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Muzeji i galerije Budve |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=☰ Budva Guide: What to see, where to live, how to get ∷ MonteGuide |url=https://monteguide.com/city-guides/budva/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Monteguide |language=en}}
The fortress was designed in a rectangular shape with high walls and towers on each corner. The fortress is set {{Convert|110|m|ft}} on the Spas Hill above the Mogren 2 Beach {{Convert|1|km|mi}} to the west of the Budva Old Town and {{Convert|2|km|mi}} from the Budva city centre.{{Cite web |title=3D Virtual Heritage of Montenegro |url=https://3dvirtualheritage.me/en/cultural-monuments/batery-jaz-fortress-mogren |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=3dvirtualheritage.me}} The Budva Old Town, Sveti Nikola Island and Jaz Beach are visible across the sea.
= World Wars =
File:Mogren_Fortress_-_World_War_II_Bunker.jpg
Following the Dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the fortress became property of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and became known as the Mogren Fortress, after the Mogren Cape below.
During World War II, the fortress and its tunnels below were used as a warehouse of weapons and ammunition. World War II era pillboxes and bunkers remain visible to this day.
= Post-War =
Following World War II, the fortress fell into disrepair. The fortress was badly damaged in the 1979 Montenegro Earthquake and was never rebuilt.{{cite news |date=22 December 2017 |title=Zaboravljena utvrđenja Budve |url=https://m.cdm.me/zabava/zanimljivosti/zaboravljena-utvrdenja-budve/ |accessdate=27 August 2024 |work=Cafe del Montenegro}}
In 2015, a plan for reconstruction and improvement of the fortress was proposed, including an auditorium for 320 visitors, exhibition hall, café, performance stage and parking. Despite suggestions from the city administration that the project would bring €35,500 in net revenue annually, members of the Budva Municipal Assembly voted against the project due to impact on authenticity and historical appearance.{{Cite web |title=Tvrđava Mogren, Tvrdava Mogren - Budva |url=https://bs.everaoh.com/tvrdjava-mogren/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=bs.everaoh.com}}{{Cite news |last=Lajović |first=Vuk |date=26 May 2015 |title=Councilors do not lease Mogren fortress |url=https://en.vijesti.me/news-b/society/179637/the-councilors-do-not-lease-the-mogren-fortress |access-date=27 August 2024 |work=Vijesti}}
In 2016, as part of the Budva 2020 initiative funded by the Budva Foundation, overgrown vegetation was removed from the fortress, and a parking lot, asphalt road and small information centre were constructed to serve the fortress.{{Cite web |last= |title=Tvrđava Mogren - zaboravljeno utvrđenje ili buduće uporište kulture? |url=https://www.rtvbudva.me/vijesti/tvrdava-mogren-zaboravljeno-utvrdenje-ili-buduce-uporiste-kulture/22309 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Radio Televizija Budva |language=sr-ME}}
Tourism and preservation
The fortress offers a view of the Budva Riviera, including the Budva Old Town, Sveti Nikola Island, Jaz Beach, Pržno Beach, Petrovac Bay and Valdanos Bay near Ulcinj.
The fortress is accessible by car (E65 & E80 Budva-Tivat road) and by a short hike up the hill from the Mogren 2 Beach below.{{Cite web |title=Hiking to Mogren fortress & beautiful beaches |url=https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-route/montenegro/hiking-to-mogren-fortress-beautiful-beaches/801726368/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.outdooractive.com |language=en}}
Spas Hill, on which the fortress is located, is treated as a Special Natural Area and Mogren Beach and its surrounding area, including the fortress, is protected as a Category III Natural Monument.{{Cite web |title=Parks.it - Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Serbia and Montenegro |url=https://www.parks.it/world/YU/Eindex.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.parks.it}}
Picture gallery
File:Mogren Fortress - Visitor Information.jpg|Visitor Information
File:Mogren Fortress - View to Sveti Nikola Island and the Old Town (1).jpg|View to Sveti Nikola Island and the Old Town
File:Mogren Fortress - View West to Jaz Beach (2).jpg|View west to Jaz Beach
File:Mogren Fortress - World War II Bunker.jpg|World War II Bunker
File:Mogren Fortress - View up from the Sea.jpg|View up from the sea