Being a walker, I explored the area south of Tivat and stumbled onto a large public park. I kept to the shoreline and enjoyed the picturesque views of the bay and undisturbed coastline. After returning to my flat, I learned that this was Zupa Park and an abandoned renaissance mansion is hiding at its core.
Zupa Park
A big beautiful unmanicured space full of pine trees, wide paths and coastline. I approached the park from Tivat along the shore. The first day, I encountered an abandoned building covered in graffiti. Thinking nothing of it, I walked past, around the corner and was greeted by a lovely stretch of beach. A lone fisherman was there and a lady with her dog.
Walking as far as I could, I ended up at a shipyard, and was unable to continue my explorations of the coastline. I turned up to the main road that borders the park at the top and headed back into Tivat.
Kompleks Bizanti
When I read that there was an abandoned mansion in the park, I returned the very next day. My interest was piqued. Walking up into the estate from the beach, I passed many derelict structures. One I now know, is what remains of the old stone church.
The coastline around Tivat was used during the Renaissance period as a summer vacation spot for the wealthy families in the area. The noble Kotor family Bizanti, constructed their summer palace right here in the 16th century. They built a huge beautiful park surrounding the residence which is what Zupa is today.
In the 19th century, the Austro-Hungarian army took over the estate and the palace halls were used for barracks for the officers. Most of the buildings were completely remodelled, giving no significance to the original historical buildings.
Today’s Structures
The main palace still stands. It looks like it was three stories high at one time, possible the third story being an attic of sorts. Wandering through the halls and climbing the stairs, one can imagine the glorious nature of the original place.
The views from all sides are incredible, some of coastline and others of the towering mountains that hug Tivat.
Today the buildings are filled with litter, broken glass and debris everywhere. Graffiti covers every wall of the main residence. Walking around, the glass continually breaks underfoot, giving a bright crack to the otherwise silent surroundings.
I did not attempt to go inside any of the smaller buildings, they seem full of vegetation and very few had a clear path up to see inside them.
The Graffiti
Not only was there the usual tagging here, but there were many pictures as well. Definitely some on the creepier side with satanic overtones. The mathematical graffiti was interesting and the flowers and birds beautiful.
To me, exploring this abandoned mansion and the Zupa Park estate was amazing. It is not very often that I have unimpeded access to such a site. It was very interesting, eerily beautiful and the chance to photograph graffiti, which I love, was unhindered.
