Stara Čaršija – The Rebirth of the Old Town

Exterior

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Status: Completed Project
Year: 2018-2020
Area: Approx. 2000 m²
Location: Old Town, Bar, Montenegro
Aspeqt Studio: Design, execution planning, construction supervision
Type: New Construction, Expansion
Interior: Zlatko Vujotić
Photos: Lejla Nurković

The Stara Čaršija project was born from the vision of revitalizing the historic core of Stari Bar and bringing its rich tradition closer to visitors. Instead of a single monolithic building, a dispersed complex was created, blending harmoniously with the surrounding environment. The ensemble includes a luxury 5-star hotel with 32 rooms, covering an area of about 2,000 m², a restaurant, as well as a spacious wellness center with a hammam, sauna, steam room, indoor pool, and an outdoor pool for hotel guests.

The architecture of the building draws on historical motifs from the area: a tower as a striking feature, the ruins of a medieval fortress, natural stone as the dominant building material, and Ottoman-style details such as traditional wooden bays (erker). Another important design criterion was the preservation of existing olive trees, which significantly influenced the layout of the buildings in the complex. The cascading organization of enclosed spaces and terraces enables the connection of two historical streets: the accessible street above the old town and the ancient pedestrian zone at the foot of the ruins, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The development of this complex took place gradually: in 2018, the restaurant was opened, spanning four levels. Then in 2019, the hotel was officially opened, followed by the spa and wellness center a year later. Stara Čaršija uniquely blends history, architecture and luxurious hospitality, setting a new standard in the cultural revitalization of Stari Bar.