Skadar Lake

National
park
Skadar
Lake

Skadar Lake is the greatest lake in the Balkans. Depending on the water level, it is from 345 to 505.8 square km. Territorially, the two thirds of the lake belongs to Montenegro, and one third belongs to the Republic Albania.

Average depth of the lake is 5m and maximal is 60m. Submediterranean climate prevails in the region of Skadar Lake, with mild rainy winters and long warm summers.

Skadar Lake is kryptodepression - some parts of its bottom are below the sea level. Most often they are underwater springs, which are found along the southwestern bank of the lake.

Montenegrin part of Skadar Lake was proclaimed to be National Park in 1983. As a significant international region for residence for birds, Skadar Lake aquires IBA status, and has been on the Ramsar list fom 1995 - The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of international importance, especially as waterfowl habitat. Within the National Park there are two special natural reserves: Panceva Oka and Monastery Land.

The ecosystem of Skadar Lake is extremly complex, of the submediterranean type, with domination of freshwater and wetland biotope. Presence of scrappy bushes, garigues and rocky grounds on south carst slopes points to the diversity and abundance in flora and vegetation.

Floating wetland species, white water lillies and yellow lilies and water chestnut spread over the great part of the water surface during summer months, giving the lake a recognizable appearance. On land, along the northern side, in a few localities there are trees of endemic Skadar oak, which is protected as endangered species.

Thanks to primarily preserved ecosystems and the unapproachable parts of the lake, especially along the northern, marshy part of the lake, Skadar lake is "paradise for birds" for 280 birds species, out of which greatest number are rare and endangered species. The best known are: Dalmatian pelican, grey, white and yellow heron, grebes, wild ducks, moorhens etc.

Dalmatian pelican is the biggest swimming bird living and nestling on Skadar lake. This bird is globally endangered and represents the attraction and brand of the National park Skadar Lake.

The littoral of the lake is characterized with old fishermen settlements, with preserved original architecture, situated next to the fishing regions. They were adapted to fishing way of life with ground stone huts, connected with paved pathways and stone stairways. Small wooden boats of recognizable appearance and shape are typical vessels suited to the conditions and experience of many centuries in sailing on Skadar Lake. In the past they were basic vessels of the local residents, and today they are undoubtedly one of the most impressive attractions of Skadar lake.

Monasteries on Skadar Lake

Prečista Krajinska

High in the hinterland, near the settlement Ostros in Krajina, there are the remains of the greatest and the oldest monastery in this region. Its foundation is related to XI century and Knyaz of Zeta Jovan Vladimir. In XV century it was the seat of Zeta Metropolitenate, which was transferrd to Vranjina in the time of occupation by Turks. It is assumed that the monastery was demolished at the beginning of XVII century in the invasion of Skadar vizier Suleiman-Pasha Bushatli.

Vranjina

On the eastern slope of the peninsula Vranjina, in 1233, during the rule of the Nemanjic's and the first Orthodox bishop of Zeta Ilarion , a monastery devoted to St Nicholas was built. Its landownership was at that time one of the greatest in that region. It had a significant cultural and political role in Zeta Province for a long time. It was damaged in Turkish invasions many times and it was demolished in in 1862. There are no architectural remains of the medieval complex. Three bells belonged to the monastery, found at the time buried in front of the church. They were cast in Venice in XIV and XV century. They are kept in Cetinje monastery. At the end of XIX century Knyaz Nikola repaired the monastery. The building of the konak (monastery dormitory) is related to his idea that if his many daughters do not marry they would become nuns in this monastery.

Starčevo

The oldest church among the legacies of Balsic's on the lake islands in Krajina is the church of St Mary on Starceva Gorica. It was built with konak and the accompanying objects during the rule of Djuradj Balsic, in the middle of XIV century thanks to the old man Makarije, who lived on the island at the time and the island was named after him (Starcevo, meaning the old man's). Starcevo was a significant copy-writing centre at the time of its active life. The famous printer, Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin, in his last will asked to be buried here.

Beška

It is dominated by two churches. The bigger church was dedicated to St George, and it was a legacy of Djuradj I Stratimirovic Balsic, at the end of XV century. The smaller is St Mary's Church, and it was built by Đurađ's wife Jelena Balšić, daughter of Serbian knyaz Lazar, who was buried on that island. This monastery has a history of active copy-writing.

Moračnik

On island Moracnik, southward from Beshka, Balsa III built his legacy at the beginning of XV century. The monastery complex is constituted by the church of Holy Mother of God, konak, massive tower and one room next to the tower. On the right and on the left from the entrance gate there is a wall stretching around the monastery. The last in the series of monasteries of the Krajina archipelago, Moracnik,has a high tower which with the nearest fortification on Tophala served for defence of the other monasteries on the islands. On the highest point of the island, there are remains of a small church.

Kom

On the island Andrijska gora, not far from Zabljak Crnojevica, Djuradj and Ljes Crnojevic raised monastery Kom, between 1415 and 1427. Smaller church with one nave, with the open porch and several accompanying rooms make the architecture of this monastery. In the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary frescoes have been preserved from XV and XVI century with the scenes from the life of the Christ and Holy Mary. In the central part of the church there are four tomb plates of the rulers of Crnojevic dynasty. For a short time there was the seat of Zeta Metropolitanate. In this monastery in 1831 Petar II Petrovic Njegos became a monk and ordained to be archimandrite.

Except these, in the near and far hinterland of the lake there are monasteries Orahovo, Gornji Brceli, Donji Brceli and Jeksa.

The Fortresses

Lesendro

Petar II Petrovic Njegos constructed this fortress in 1843 on the island in the vicinity of Vranjina, of 3000 square metres. At that time it served as a military outpost for defence of Rijeka Crnojevica so it was often called "the key to the lake". At the end of the same year the Turks took it over, expanded it and strengthened it with high defensive walls and towers. Njegos repeatedly tried to take it back but in vain so a popular saying remained "burned as the bishop after Lesendro". After the liberation from the Turks in 1878, an arsenal was built here which served until The World War I.


Grmožur

In the littoral of the village Godinje a fortified complex was built in 1847 on the island, of irregular long form with two entrances. During the rule of King Nikola the fortress was turned into jail. Since neither the prisoners nor guards could swim, the escape was impossible, so Grmozur was called a Montenegrin Alcatraz.

Tophali

On the small island of the same name, not far from the village Ckla in Krajina, there are remains of the massive medieval tower. It protected the entrance to the islands on which the Balsic's built monasteries. It is supposed that it became at the end of XIV century.

Besac

The Turks built this fortress just above Virpazar after the fall of the Lower Zeta in 1478. Due to its favourable position it had a significant role in the system of fortifications - defensive fortresses on the lake. Between the two world wars there was a gendarmery station in the fortress, and in the time of Italian occupation it was a jail. Except the fortresses, the lake and its surrounding abound in archeological sites and traces of settlements from the ancient times.

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