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The Ulcinj 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 "main Street" of cafe's, shops, daily errands, and nightlife, Ulitsa Skenderbeu stretches from from the center of Ulcinj, down to the beach promenade (Obala Borisa Kidrica). The street is accessible from Bulevar Marsala Tita, one of Ulcinj's primary streets. Each week, a Market Day takes place in Ulcinj that brings a unique mix of country and town folk to the city's center for agricultural goods and basic needs.
Ulcinj's beach promenade, Obala Borisa Kidrica, or the "Korzo" as it is called by locals, is a strip-like walkway lighting the small beach. At night during the summer months, young tourists walk past one another while bright lights decorate the street and live music invades their ear drums. It is said that some of the most beautiful girls in South Eastern Europe, visiting Ulcinj as tourists, can be found walking about the Korzo on a nightly basis.
Above the Korzo is Stari Ulqin, or the Old Town, Ulcinj's fortress promenade that has occupied its site for millenia. The Old Town features Cycoplean Walls, a prominent feature of fortress-cities dating back to ancient times. The Old Town provides the visual backdrop for the entire town, helping to frame an extraordinary view of the small beach, the Adriatic, and the Old Town.
Adjacent to the Hotel Mediteran Resort, is a grove of coastal Sea Pines - actually Mediterraean confifers - both black and white pine - that extend all that way to Velika Plaza. These sea pines are rooted in local lore as being highly therapeutic and curative to all sorts of ailments. On summer evenings, the sea pine groves of Ulcinj are packed with visitors with sleeping bags and blankets, visitors planning to sleep under this restorative canopy.
The Sveti Nikola Orthodox Cathedral is situated in the Old Town Ulcinj area, and has an interesting history. When the Turks invaded, the monastery was converted into a mosque. It was later rebuilt as a church in 1890, in honor of the Montenegrin that died in the wars of 1878. Its interesting iconostasis is of Russian origin.
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