Skadar Lake is the largest natural body of water on the Balkan Peninsula

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Skadar Lake (also called Shkoder) is one of the largest lakes on the Balkan Peninsula, located on the territory of two European states at once. Two-thirds of the lake belongs to Montenegro, the rest belongs to Albania.

The lake is 43 km long and 26 km wide. The length of the coastline is about 170 km. With an average depth of 5–7 m, Lake Skadar is famous for the fact that there are about thirty sinkholes (also called “eyes” or underwater springs) in it, the depth of which can exceed 60 meters.

According to scientists, the reservoir was formed as a result of the dissolution of limestone rocks in a tectonic basin and was once a bay of the Adriatic Sea, from which it is now separated by an isthmus. Its age is approximately 65 million years.

Skadar Lake is filled with both river waters (the largest of which are Moraca and Crnojevića) and waters coming from the depths of the earth's interior.

There are about sixty settlements on the banks of the reservoir. The largest are Rijeka Crnojevica and Virpazar. Founded by the king of Montenegro Ivan Tsrnoevich (inafter whom it got its name), Rijeka Crnojevic became the first capital of this Balkan state. Only the ruins of a pearl factory, where pearls were made from fish scales, and the old restaurant Konak Peryanik, famous for the fact that they once cooked the most exquisite dishes served at the royal table, remind of those times today. By the way, the restaurant is still flourishing, and its owner belongs to the royal dynasty of Crnojevics.

Virpazar is famous for the fact that the Turkish fortress Grmozhur, which was once a frontier outpost, was located nearby. Today, the former fortress has become home to numerous bird populations.

Flora and fauna

With a rich diversity, the local flora also includes 25 rare endangered species. Reeds, reeds, chilim, and kasaronia grow along the shores of the lake. Water lilies, egg capsules, as well as lilies, which come in two colors here - yellow and white, give a special charm to the reservoir. The very rare Skadar oak grows in the flooded delta, and relic chestnuts can be found on the southern shores.

There are about fifty species of fish in the waters, some of which can only be found here. Fishing enthusiasts can purchase a special fishing license.

Skadar Lake is a habitat for locals, as well as a stopping point for a large number of migratory birds. At different times of the year, more than two hundred different species of birds can be counted here, but cormorants and curly pelicans are considered the most famous. The latter, by the way, aresymbol of the local National Park.

Sights of Lake Skadar

Skadar Lake has a great cultural heritage. The local land is a witness to the existence of several civilizations (Illyrian, Greek, Roman). At different times, representatives of several dynasties ruled here (Vojeslavovichi, Nyemanichi, Balshichi, Petrovichi, etc.), which is reminiscent of many votive churches and mausoleums, some of which have survived to this day.

Monasteries or hermitages have been built on many of the fifty large and small islands. For tourists who arrived at Lake Skadar, an excursion to the islands of Starchevo, Moracnik and Beshka, on which there are buildings built here back in the XIV-XV centuries, can be very interesting and informative. churches with tombs. The oldest of them is located on the island of Starchevo. On the island of Beshke is the famous tomb of Tsar Yuri Balshich and his wife. In the northern part of the lake, on the island of Vranjina, there is a whole architectural complex, and on the slopes of Mount Odriska there is the Kom monastery, which has been operating since the 15th century.

Skadar Lake: how to get there?

For those who want to visit these places, you can use the services of comfortable sightseeing buses. The fare (together with the services of a guide) depends on the starting point of the route and usually ranges from 35 to 60 €. Buses depart from almost all major cities in Montenegro. You can also get to the lake by car. Nearby passesmotorway Podgorica-Petrovac. The cost of a car rented, for example, in Montenegro, will cost from 30 €. At the same time, it must be taken into account that local roads are located in the mountains and are a continuous serpentine, which is difficult to handle even for an experienced driver. Therefore, it is better to take a taxi, although it will cost a little more.