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Lake of Skadar
Lake
of Skadar is an ecological empire, an oasis of silence and close contact with untouched nature.
Lake of Skadar, 391 km2 of total area, is the biggest lake in the Balkans. It lies in Zeta-Skadar
ravine and is connected with the Adriatic Sea by the river Bojana. 2/3 of the lake belongs
to Montenegro and 1/3 to Albania.
Montenegrin part of the lake was declared a National Park in 1983.
Small town called Rijeka Crnojevica is situated
on the lake's coast and is full of historical heritage. In the vicinity of the town there are remains of the town Oktoih.
There was the first printing firm. In 1494 the first book in this part of Europe was printed here ("Oktoih"). Numerous
cultural and historical monuments: archaeological excavations, monastery complex and fortifications scattered around the basin
are witnesses that even back in XIV and XV century this area was a significant cultural centre.
The Lake is full of islands and peninsulas
with trails of rich history and cultural inheritance: Zabljak (XV c.) - the capital of former Zeta, Lesendro - a fortress
on the rock in the middle of the Lake, the Grmozur fortress. Lake of Skadar is heaven for birds. There are 264 bird species registered, many of which are
reduced in number or their survival is endangered. Lake of Skadar is an ecological empire, an oasis of silence and close contact with untouched
nature. Clean water and preserved environment were good basis for extremely rich eco-system. This is the only habitation of
pelicans in the south of Europe. Kasoronj (Trupa Longicurpa) is a plant that grows only in
this area. Lake of Skadar
is a habitat for bleak and carp - the two species of fish that cannot be found anywhere else.
During
the rule of the Balsic dynasty, many orthodox monasteries were erected on the islands Starcevo, Beska and Moracnik.The oldest
monastery with a church dedicated to the Assumption of the Mother of God was built in Starcevo between 1376 and 1378. Building
of the monastery is connected to an old man called Makarije, who allegedly lived on the island as a monk and thus the island
was called Starceva gorica (Old man's mountain).
Skadar
lake is positioned 30 km southward Podgorica belonging in one part to Montenegro and in the other to Albania.Surrounded with
mountains Lovcen, Sozina, Sutorman, Rumija, Tarabos and outskirts of Prokletije.
With 370 square kilometers it is the biggest
lake on the Balkan Peninsula.It appertains to a group of hydrographic national parks, having in mind it is the only protected
phenomenon – aquatorium.This park belongs to communes of Podgorica, Cetinje and Bar.
As
national park it is special for its emphasized limnology characteristics and the biggest crypto depression on the Balkan Peninsula
and one of the biggest in Europe.
It is very interesting that the surface and depth of the lake vary depending from the quantity of precipitation. In rainy
months the level of the lake grows to 2.5 to 3 meters and its surface augment to approximately 550 square meters. This particularity
lasts for 5-6 months per year. It belongs to a group of counter flow lakes with large number of tributaries providing the
lake with fresh water and the only bayou is river Bojana which flows into Adriatic Sea. This
lake disposes of 45 species of fish, like carp and bleak the most known among them. Skadar lake is a real heaven for fisherman
having in mind also the fact that with river Bojana from the sea upstream come such species like eels, sea perches etc.
The annual fish catch on Montenegrin part
of the lake is approximately around million kilos.Fishing license can be obtained directly in the national park's property
situated on the shore of the lake.
This lake represents the biggest bird reservation
in Europe. The majority of birds builds their nest here and remains permanently but there are also those who come periodically.When
summing both of them we come to a figure of 270 species of birds and among them most important wild ducks, geese etc. Certainly
most famous of them is pelican, in Europe present only here.
There
are many cultural and historical monuments on Skadar lake. A chuch from the Balsica period on the island Moracnik, churc of
St. Virgin Marry built in 1440 by Princess Jelena doughter of the king Lazar on the island Beska-Brezojevica.
Above
Virpazar there is a fortress Besac built in 16th century for the protection against Turk's offensive. On the island Lesendro
there is a fortification of the same name built in 19th century. National park has two
organization units: Expert and guardian. Experts who work for this national park are specialists in various fields like: Ecology,
Cultural heritage, planning, development and propaganda of tourism etc. When visiting Montenegro, Skadar
Lake is easily accessible because it is positioned on the main traffic
way connecting maritime with central region.
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