- Address: E-80, Virpazar, Montenegro
- Reason: The 15th century
- Working hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00
- Entrance fee: € 1
In the Montenegrin town of Virpazar there is one of the oldest military architectural monuments in the country - the fortress of Besac Fortress. It has an important cultural and historical significance not only for the state, but also for the Balkan Peninsula.
Description of the Citadel
Most of the fort, which reached our time, was founded in the era of the Ottoman Empire in the second half of the XV century. True, some towers are considered more ancient, they were erected during the existence of such a Slavic principality as Zeta.
The main architectural value of the citadel is explained by the ways of its construction. After all, the original structures were imposed by the Turkish style in the form of additional strengthening. Thus, a mixed image was obtained, which bears a close interweaving of two cultures and an indescribable atmosphere of those times.
The main strategic function of the Bessat fortress was the defense and division of the territory located on the border of two lands: Turkish and Slavic. From the height of the fort, the surroundings were perfectly visible to the Vier field (north) and Skadar Lake (west). Its owner could completely dominate the area from a military point of view.
The citadel has the form of a rectangle and consists of several parts:
- the gate on the south side;
- a fortified wall;
- two observation towers located in the south-west and northeast corners.
Inside the fort there were farm buildings, barracks and other premises. The whole territory is covered with cobbled paths, which were not touched by the hand of time.
The Citadel Today
Currently, the fort is a ruin of a medieval castle, which grew with coniferous trees and shrubs. However, local authorities plan to create here a military-memorial, tourist and cultural-entertainment complex. Here they want to open a museum, a souvenir shop and a wine cellar.
To date, the Montenegrin Ministry of Culture, together with the EU Delegation, have completed the first stage of the reconstruction of the Besac fortress. For repairs, 455,214 euros were spent. To complete and adapt the citadel, the government plans to allocate another 400,000 euros from the budget.
Visit to the fort
The citadel for tourists is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. If you come here at another time, you can see only the external facade. The admission ticket costs 1 euro.
The fortress is located on a hill with a stunning view of Skadar Lake, the port town of Bar and the nearest village. Here you can also make stunning photos, take a walk in a quiet quiet atmosphere, breathe clean air or meditate.
How to get to the fort?
The fortress of Besac is on a hill in the town of Virpazar , from which you can walk to the fort (it takes about 15 minutes). From Bar and Podgorica to the village you can come by train, bus or car, and as part of an organized tour. From the municipality here goes gravel road E851, and from the capital - E65 / E80.