Besac Fortress
Besac Fortress above Virpazar is one of Lake Skadar’s most striking historical landmarks, built by the Ottomans in the late 15th century to secure control over the region’s vital trade routes. Its most interesting fact is how it later shifted hands: Montenegrin forces captured it in the 19th century, turning the fortress into a symbol of resistance and local identity. Because of these layered histories, Besac feels both Ottoman and Montenegrin at once. Inside the restored complex, visitors find two main towers connected by thick defensive walls. The interior rooms, once used for storage and shelter, now host small exhibitions about the fortress’s past and the cultural life of Virpazar. Stone stairways lead to upper terraces where soldiers once kept watch over the lake; today, these viewpoints offer sweeping panoramas of Skadar’s wetlands, mountains, and winding channels. The courtyard often hosts cultural events, adding a modern dimension to the historic site. Informational panels explain the fortress’s strategic role and the engineering techniques used in its construction.
Virpazar Montenegro
It is located above the village of Virpazar, address E-80, 81305 Virpazar, Bar Municipality, Montenegro. It is also listed simply as Virpazar bb. You can see it from the village, sitting on a small hill right above Lake Skadar. From the center of Virpazar it is about a ten minute uphill walk, easy to find, just follow the road up from the lakefront. The fortress was built by the Turks in 1478 after they took this region, and it changed hands many times between Ottomans and Montenegrins. Today it is restored and used as a cultural venue, with a small gallery inside and an open terrace that gives you one of the best panoramas over Lake Skadar and the Crmnica river. Right below it is Virpazar village itself, a charming old town with stone houses, little bridges and many boat tour agencies. You can take a boat from there to explore Lake Skadar National Park, see the bird island Grmozur Fortress and the old Monastery Island. Very close you have the wine region of Crmnica, with old family wineries and palaces. A bit further you can visit the old capital of Montenegro, Rijeka Crnojevica, with its famous stone bridge and castle ruins. And if you drive toward the coast, you get to Bar with its Old Town Fortress, Old Bar Castle and King Nikola's Palace.
Bridge