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Besac FortressHERITAGE FOR DEVELOPMENT

Virpazar — Montenegro

MONTENEGRO

The Besac Fortress is located on the hill right above the Virpazar community. The Turks built it after the fall of the Lower Zeta in 1478. It has been in operation for the entire period of Turkish domination in the region.

Due to its favourable location, it played an important role in the system of fortifications on the Skadar Lake. On the plateau area of 1200 m², a well-preserved defence wall of the fortress with gates and watchtowers and ruins of extra facilities are located.

It currently undergoes reconstruction works based on its authentic looks, which would enable new contents; the works will be finished at the end of 2014, when the fortress will be open

to public-private partnership projects. The further sustainable development of the location is centred on its usage as a tourism-hospitality point for excursions and fair-related activities of the local communities in the Skadar Lake National park.

Access to the fortress is secured by land. There is a well preserved, 200 meters long gravel road to which one can turn from the Vir–Ostros modern; the road, located on the Eastern side of the lake, runs through the thick cypress forest and leads directly to the Southern entrance gate of the fortress.

The Besac Fortress is 23 km (30 min) away from the Podgorica airport and 63 km (1 hour) away from the Tivat airport.

Besac Fortress

Besac Fortress

Bar

CONTACT

Lejla Abdic Djokovic lejla.djokovic@mku.gov.me