Skadar Lake Also known as Nacionalni park Skadarsko jezero and Shkodra Lake from the Albanian side
This enormous lake is a national ecological treasure of Montenegro. Picturesque villages known for their old monastaries and fortresses can be found on the lake's South Shore. Six different rivers flow into the lake. Lake Skadar is named after the city of Skadar (Shkoder, Scutari) and is also known as Lake Shkoder, or Skadarsko Jezero, Scadar Lake, or Lake Scutari.
Skadar Lake is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having 270 bird species, among which are some of the last pelicans in Europe, and thus popular with bird-watchers.
Skadar Lake is located about seven kilometers from coastal Ulcinj and the Adriatic Sea. The Bojana River flows from the lake's south, towards Ada Bojana and the Adriatic to the Southeast.
Skadar Lake is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula. The lake is approximately 44 kilometers in length and 14 kilometers in width. The shoreline of the lake stretches for 168 kilometers. The mountains Lovcen, Sutorman, Rumija and Tarabosh lie on the southern side of the lake.
Interesting, two-thirds of Lake of Skadar is situated in Montenegro with the balance in Albania.
The Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans. Its specific beauty is revealed in the rich flora and fauna. The Skadar Lake is an important habitat of water birds. The rare curly pelican is the mark of the National park. Average depth of the Skadar Lake is 6m and, since some parts of the bottom are under sea level, it takes the depth up to 60m. Such places at Skadar Lake are named "oka". The shore of the Skadar Lake is picturesque and abounds in peninsulas and swampy bays. The Skadar Lake hides numerous endemic species of flora and fauna. It is decorated by Goricas, small islands covered by wild pomegranate laurel and ivy. The Skadar Lake is rich with cultural and historic monuments spread across this National park. Small abandoned fishing habitats located right on the water also represent exceptional cultural heritage. The Ramasar convention from 1996 listed the Skadar Lake in World list of swamps of international importance.
The Scadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans. Its specific and beauty reveals in rich flora and fauna. The Scadar Lake is an important habitat of water birds. Rare curly pelican is the mark of National park. Average depth of the Scadar Lake is 6 m and as some parts of bottom are under sea level it makes depth up to 60 m. Such places at Scadar Lake are named "oka". The shore of the Scadar Lake is picturesque and abounds in peninsulas and bay of swamp type. The Scadar Lake hides numerous endemic species of flora and fauna. It is decorated by Goricas, small islands covered by wild pomegranate laurel and ivy. The Scadar Lake is rich with cultural and historic monuments spread across large part of this National park. Small abandoned fishing in habitants located at very water also represent exceptional cultural heritage. Ramasar convention from 1996 enlisted the Scadar Lake in World list of swamps of international importance.
Skadar Lake has been a Montenegrin National Park since 1983, and the portion of the lake situated in Albania has been a managed nature reserve since 2005.
Seaplane Adventures on Skadar Lake
Check out this video of a seaplane adventure on Skadar Lake:
Visiting Skadar Lake
Skadar Lake can be experienced "on the water," along its shorelines, from above, and atop the steep mountains that ring the west and south sides of the lake. Each experience will typically require different preparation, guides, and possibly, equipment.
The Skadar Lake region has been witness to Montenegrin history since the early Middle Ages. More than 20 monastery complexes, churches, settlements and other cultural and historical monuments are located in the Lake surroundings, dating from different periods of time.
Traffic/Accessibility: Considering the fact that the Lake is located on the main traffic route (the road
between Podgorica – Petrovac, the train tracks between Podgorica – Bar), it is very easy to reach it by
road or railway. Both traffic routes pass through the Lake, i.e. the settlement of Virpazar.
Communities of Skadar Lake
Krajina is situated close to the shoreline of the lake. Krajina has 22 rural settlements (8 in the village
of Ostros and 14 in the village of Sestani) with 5,444 inhabitants. Settlements are relatively isolated
from the municipality of Bar. The local municipality center is Mali Ostros. Settlements Ckla, Martići,
Bobovište, Besi, Donji Murići, and Dračevica have indirect contact with the lake, although it is a
significant resource for their inhabitants. The number of inhabitants is stable in the settlements of
Krajina entity, which allows for an organized quality of life.
Crmnica connects the seacoast with the continental part of Montenegro. It includes 24 settlements
with 1,800 inhabitants (the village of Godinje is in this area – a symbol of rural uniqueness, and Poseljani – especially interesting for its large number of flourmills). The adjoining villages indirectly border on the lake: Krnjice, Seoca, Godinje, Boljevići, Vir, Orahovo, Braćeni, Kruševica and Komarno. The few settlements of the Crmnica entity demonstrate the decrease in the number of inhabitants. Some settlements, such as Krnjice could become uninhabited. Considering the small size
of the settlements, it is very difficult to organize certain activities.
Rijeka entity is situated on the west and northwestern shoreline of Skadar Lake. The following
settlements are situated in the Park: Dodoši, Donje Selo, Žabljak, Prevlaka, Rijeka Crnojevića, Šinđon
and Vranjina. These settlements (apart from Vranjina, which belongs to the municipality of Podgorica)
administratively belong to the municipality of Cetnje. Many are located on islands and peninsulas,
representing the specific characteristics of this area, in general, too small and with inadequate
infrastructure routes. The area’s major city is Rijeka Crnojevica, which also has urban characteristics
and represents the entity’s administrative center. The expansion of the municipality of Podgorica, and
to some extent, the municipality of Cetinje, has caused migration from this area. Agriculture and
fishing as fundamental activities no longer have priority, and industry is gradually replacing traditional
livelihoods.
The Rijeka Entity includes Rijeka Crnojevica, it has 37 village settlements with a total of 1,727
inhabitants. Donja Sela, Dujeva, Riječani, Oćevići, Šindjon, Drušići, Bobija, and especially Rijeka,
Prevlaka, Dodoši, Žabljak and Vranjina, are closely linked to the lake. The climate is suitable for
planting various fruits (figs, mulberries, grapes, and pomegranates). Apart from agriculture and
livestock breeding, inhabitants also engage in trade and fishing; the fish trade is especially important.
Ljesanska nahija is situated in the northwestern side of Skadar Lake with the local community of
Barutana. The only coastal settlements in Ljesanska nahija are Begova Glavica, Bridje and Goljemadi.
The climate is moderate, which is a good prerequisite for growing various fruits and vegetables. The
inhabitants are mostly engaged in agriculture, livestock breeding and the production of wine and
tobacco.
Zeta Valley is the only lowland in Montenegro. This entity has 28 settlements and 20,000 inhabitants.
All in all, this is the most extensively arable region of Montenegro and consequently the center of
agricultural production.
Arable land near the river valleys is ideal for settlements, which influenced the largest concentration of
inhabitants in the Zeta Heath, valley of Zeta and Niksicko polje in this part of Montenegro, including
the two biggest urban centers Podgorica and Niksic. Inhabitants mostly deal in agricultural production
and livestock breeding.
Every year during the winter season, flooding endangers the settlements in the area of Zeta Valley on
the boundaries of the National Park, including the arable land to a significant extent. This group of
settlements relying on the NP includes Ponari, Vukovci, Kurilo, Bistrica, Bijelo Polje, Berislavci,
Gostilj, Balabani, Gošići, Mataguži, Vranj, Sukuruć, Kotrabudan, Podhum, Drešaj, and Drume.
There is nothing quite like a vacation on the Ulcinj-Bar South Coast, where the heart of Montenegro's Wild Beauty waits for you. Come visit Velika Plaza - our long beach, Ada Bojana, Lake Skadar, our four ancient cities, our simply unsurpassed water and hillside recreation possibilities, and a land and people that still retains its unique 2,000 year-old character.
There are fine choices for accomodations in the South Coast region, including the Hotel Mediteran Resort (UlcinjToday.com Sponsor) situated in the heart of Ulcinj overlooking Stari Grad Ulcinj.
Ulcinj-Bar South Coast Montenegro News from www.Twitter.com/Monte_Coast
The Ulcinj-Bar South Coast region of Montenegro traces its history to the prehistoric times of the Illyrians, a people of Indo-European origin. The scenic old walled town of Ulcinj, was founded in the 5th century BC by the Colchinians. Several centuries later the town was captured by the Romans and was afforded special priviledges and independent status under Roman law.
Ulcinj's beauty, location, and climate, has long been coveted by Adriatic region conquerors, and beyond. Justilian the Byzantine Emperor captured and fortified it, as did the Nemanjic's, the Balsic's, the Venetians and the Turks. Ulcinj's capture in 1183 by the Serbian ruler Stefan Nemanja, confirmed the city's role as one of the most important settlements on the coast.
The Ulcinj region is an exciting "base camp" for travel excursions in the immediate area, and throughout Montenegro and neighboring countries. Here is a sampling of some popular day-trips and excursions.
Lake Skadar National Park, at 44 kilometers in length, is truly enormous and one of the national scenic treasures of Montenegro. Skadar is located about seven kilometers from the Adriatic Sea coast.
At the edge of Montenegro's South Coast is Ada Bojana, a popular destination with international travelers to Montenegro, and perhaps most telling, among Montenegrins as well. The Ada Bojana area is known for its scenic beauty and the daily fresh fish catch served at Ada Bojana restaurants. Some of the most scenic portions of Velika Plaza (Long Beach) are here in Ada Bojana, attracting throngs of beach-goers on any given day.
Stari Bar, the Old Bar Fortress, is one of four ancient fortress-towns accessible to travelers to the South Coast region. Dating to the 9th Century, Stari Bari is now an open-air museum situated on a 4-hectare hilltop just four kilometers from the Adriatic sea.
The olive groves and pebble beach at Valdanos are worth a visit. Valdanos Bay is a horsehoe-shaped natural water body situated between Mavrijen and Mendra, just four miles to the north of Ulcinj's Old Town. As for the olive groves at Valdanos, for centuries Ulcinj has been an active olive-growing region, and according to Ulcinj tradition a man cannot be married until he has planted at least one olive tree.
Bird Watching at the Ulcinj Salt Works Factory, a protected eco-system, is one of the world's top birdwatching spots since the region is a major resting point for over 200 bird species on their migration paths. On a typical winter day, 20,000 or more birds are nested here.
The Bar Seaport is a natural harbor and the main seaport of Montenegro, located at the foot of the Rumija mountain-mass. Bar Seaport is on the north edge of the Ulcinj coastal region. Bar is famous for being the summer home of Montenegrin Duke Nikola at the end of the 19th century.
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