Hotel Belvedere, Hrvatska
Probably missed by the majority of travellers in Dubrovnik, the Hotel Belvedere sits in Ploce, the eastern part of Dubrovnik, built into the rocks overlooking the Old Town and Lokrum with perfect sea views. The former 5 star hotel was once the most exclusive place to stay in the area but became a bombed and shelled out wreck after numerous naval bombardments by Serbian military forces in 1991.
21 years on and the rumours are that the investment is finally secured to rebuild it, bigger and better than before.*
The gates lie wide open for anyone to walk through and once through you have full access to all parts of the building. (In our country this would be boarded up and security signs threatening killer guard dogs and 24 hour response would be littered everywhere), but this is Croatia.
You are able to wander about inside, walk into the rooms, on to the balcony’s, even pick up the hotel branded note pads and laundry bags. It’s a depressing sight but one that intrigues you as you get deeper into this vast ruin.
Not ones to miss and an opportunity to party, the local Croatians have made this an outdoor summer club venue with DJ’s from around the world performing. It’s Croatia, so, with no regard for health and safety or even the legality of using the venue, the club nights now attract hundreds of people who dance till dawn and beyond. Witnessed first-hand this was an amazing night in the most unusual setting in the world.
Despite the iconic status it appears to have made for itself as a ruin/club, the majority shareholders are the Croatian Pension funds so let’s hope for their sake that it goes back to being what it was built to be soon.
*On the 13th of February 2012 the Croatian National Tourist Board announced that the refurbishment of Belvedere Hotel had started. No completion date was given.
Seems bizarre to think that in years to come we may end up on its newly built terrace enjoying a cocktail and the views knowing what we know.
21 years on and the rumours are that the investment is finally secured to rebuild it, bigger and better than before.*
The gates lie wide open for anyone to walk through and once through you have full access to all parts of the building. (In our country this would be boarded up and security signs threatening killer guard dogs and 24 hour response would be littered everywhere), but this is Croatia.
You are able to wander about inside, walk into the rooms, on to the balcony’s, even pick up the hotel branded note pads and laundry bags. It’s a depressing sight but one that intrigues you as you get deeper into this vast ruin.
Not ones to miss and an opportunity to party, the local Croatians have made this an outdoor summer club venue with DJ’s from around the world performing. It’s Croatia, so, with no regard for health and safety or even the legality of using the venue, the club nights now attract hundreds of people who dance till dawn and beyond. Witnessed first-hand this was an amazing night in the most unusual setting in the world.
Despite the iconic status it appears to have made for itself as a ruin/club, the majority shareholders are the Croatian Pension funds so let’s hope for their sake that it goes back to being what it was built to be soon.
*On the 13th of February 2012 the Croatian National Tourist Board announced that the refurbishment of Belvedere Hotel had started. No completion date was given.
Seems bizarre to think that in years to come we may end up on its newly built terrace enjoying a cocktail and the views knowing what we know.
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