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Vis Island Fort George Inside the Walls

Fort George and beyond on Vis Island Croatia

July 7, 2016 By Jan Robinson 19 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


Fort George was built in 1812 as the British answer to Napoleon’s advances in the Mediterranean. I doubt that Captain Henryson and his band of Vis Islanders imagined, when constructing the fort, that within a few years the British would abandon it and some two hundred years later it would be operating as an events venue and night club. I’m totally jealous that clubbers on Vis get to party the night away at such a splendid place.

[pinit]

Fort George on Vis Island Croatia

Seriously! It was impossible to fit everything about Vis island into last week’s post and there will be more posts after this. Today I’m sharing photos of the fort and beyond to Rogačić Bay and Parija cove – the land approach to the submarine pen that can also be visited by boat.

Vis Island Entrance to Fort George

The drive from Vis Town to Parija is all green trees and bleached rocks, with the ever present opportunity to glimpse the startling blue ocean. It can be walked, but the hills and surprisingly hot Spring sun left the few walkers we saw, looking red and bothered.

Vis Island Fort George Inside the Walls

Caper bushes grow at every opportunity on Vis Island.

Vis Island Fort George Croatian Flag

Vis Island Rooftop Terrace sign at Fort George

The roof terrace has views toward Lućica peninsula that hides Grandovac Bay on the Kut side of the harbour.

Vis Island Fort George Rooftop Terrace view

Vis Island Fort Foliage

It is possible to call in, explore the fort and stay for a cool drink or a coffee. Unfortunately the coffee machine was out of order during our visit, but it was difficult to be disappointed with views like this one toward Rogačić and Parija.

Vis Island Fort to Rogaccic Bay

 

The Roof terrace would be a lovely venue for a private party, but this day it was a stark walled space with great views. Soon we were back down the stairs and emerging from a stone tunnel, through arches to the garden bar and water framed peninsula. Another room housed an art display which was also closed.

Vis Island Fort George Arches

The eclectic furnishings of the garden bar were intriguing, although a little rough in the harsh light of day. I can only imagine their ambience by the light of the moon.

Vis Island Fort George Open Air Night Club

The central sunken bar is ringed by individual sitting areas. Can you imagine an afternoon session here with a group of friends?

Vis Island Fort George Yellow Seats

Or dinner in this idyllic setting? I think the hanging bottles might contain light bulbs.

Vis Fort George Tables

Fort George Bars

Next on the agenda was the Rogačić road through Parija to the submarine pen. All up the route is 5.9km from Vis Town including the detour to the fort – see the map below.

The FKK symbol indicates a nudist beach in Croatia, so be warned.

Vis Island Directional Signs


The submarine pen, code named “Lobster” can be glimpsed a few times along the winding road. Foot access to the pen is to the right in this photo.

Vis Island Rogaccic Submarine Pen

Parija Bay, sometimes written as Parja, is an out of the way holiday destination and I’ve since uncovered a lovely Airbnb apartment there with it’s own private dock. Remember if you haven’t used Airbnb before you can save money using the link in our sidebar.

I just had to include a photo of the village at Parija together with our fun convertible. That car just keeps on giving.

Vis Island Rogaccic Bay Croatia

 

British Fortifications

The British preceded the fort, which housed light cannon and musketry, with a fortification on Octočić Host Island at the mouth of Vis Harbour, which contained two 18 pound guns. That fortification is in ruins today. Another three defensive towers were built behind the fort and a further one across the bay. If you are considering doing a Military Tour (see section below) it will probably take in the Fort also.

Submarine Pen and Military Tours

After WWII Yugoslavia used Vis Island as a Naval Base and built a submarine pen. Submarines are a thing of spy movies for me and I’ve never seen one operating in real life. How bizarre would it be to see one surface in front of you? To see the pen, so vivid and abandoned was thrilling and entering even more so. On Croatia’s independence in 1991, Yugoslavia walked (or sailed) away from the island. To find out more about this and other military installations on the island you might like to take a Military Tour. While researching this post I found two organisations that run tours Paiz Travel, and Vis Special, neither of which I am affiliated with. Prices range from 35 euro to 55 euro, the difference being a wine tasting at Lipanović in an old military tunnel.

Thanks for visiting, I really appreciate it and would love you to add your travel post to the link below for Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday which I co-host with Ruth from Tanama Tales and  Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.

An InLinkz Link-up


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Filed Under: Airbnb, Croatia, Destination, Ten Weeks in Europe 2015

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jill

    July 7, 2016 at 10:23 pm

    I love all your photos – they have such a mediterranean feel! This looks like someplace I’d like to visit. I’ve only heard wonderful things about Croatia. Someday!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 8, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Yes a very mediterranean feel near the coast. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Nancie

    July 7, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    Hi Jan. Are you sure you were only renting that convertible? 🙂 The more I see of Vis the more I like. I would never tire of those views. Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 8, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Marty so wanted to buy one when we returned to Australia Nancie! We had it for five days so it got into quite a few photos lol.

      Reply
  3. Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty

    July 8, 2016 at 2:48 am

    It looks so idyllic – so tranquil and charming. Just a I remember the Croatian islands we cycled around. That view with a bottle of wine would suit us just fine!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 8, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      I wouldn’t like cycling around on the hills, but along the Riva would be good!

      Reply
  4. Kathy Marris

    July 8, 2016 at 7:33 am

    Lovely photos of the fort Jan. I actually think my daughter went to the nightclub at this fort when she was visiting Vis a few years ago now. I remember her telling me about it. Croatia is a place I really want to visit.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 8, 2016 at 3:47 pm

      The fort on Hvar also was used as a night club for a while. I bet Croatia has more used for that purpose too! I think this one is unusual because of the sunken bar area. Did your daughter remember a sunken bar?

      Reply
  5. Indrani

    July 8, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Deliciously beautiful captures, my eyes are lapping them up.
    Convertibles are ideal for these kind of scenic drive.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm

      We loved that convertible!

      Reply
  6. Ruth - Tanama Tales

    July 8, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    You never know how life is going to turn out. This place went from being a fort to being a party central. A little bit ironic, don you think? That submarine pen is crazy. I have never seen anything like it before.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm

      I think the submarine pen is one of the craziest places I’ve been.

      Reply
  7. Amila @Leisure and Me

    July 9, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Fort George is really beautiful,These photos can tell all about the views of this place.Hope I can visit there one day!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 9, 2016 at 9:03 pm

      Hi Amelia, The fort is a pretty amazing venue. It is amazing to think it is 200+ years old.

      Reply
  8. Pinky Poinker

    July 9, 2016 at 10:14 am

    I would love to have a party on that roof terrace. Or a wedding. What a fab place for a wedding.

    Reply
  9. Grey World Nomads

    July 9, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    I’d love to have a private party on the Roof terrace of Ford George. What a view!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 9, 2016 at 9:08 pm

      Yes I can imagine a huge table set up on the terrace and lanterns providing light and a light breeze. Very romantic!

      Reply
  10. Seana Smith

    July 12, 2016 at 6:24 am

    Hello Jan, how lovely to have a look at a place I’ve never been to or heard of before. It’s been 20 years since I explored mainland Europe, and sincve we had our first son then left the UK funnily enough…. so I love to read about it instead… The Croatian coast looks magnificent and I can totally imagine a long afternoon in that fort/bar… but would also love to explore a submarine pen. Very James Bond.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 12, 2016 at 9:11 am

      I know what you mean about the time factor. We had a huge gap when Europe wasn’t on our radar. We explored it several times until we were 24 when Australia and home life called and it wasn’t till six years ago that we ventured back. Needless to say there are still areas we haven’t visited in 36 years! We’ve added some new ones though. 🙂 Living in the UK makes it so easy to visit Europe (but maybe not so easy from now on). Thanks for visiting.

      Reply

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