- Address: Solana "Bajo Sekulic", 85360, Montenegro
- Phone: +382 69 200 007
- Website: www.solana-ulcinj.me
- Opening hours: 06:00 - 22:00
- Cost of visit: free of charge
In the southern part of Montenegro , on the border with Albania , there is a natural saltworks, which is called the Solana "Bajo Sekulic" in Ulcinskaya Solana.
general information
It has an area of 14.5 square meters. km, and produce food began here since 1934. In April, salt pools are replenished by the Adriatic. Then, powerful pumps pumped water through small ponds, the depth of which is 20-30 cm.
In these parts there is a clear and warm weather 217 days a year. The sun and wind ensure the constant evaporation of sea water in the summer, thereby contributing to the crystallization of salt. Collect it usually in the autumn in finished form, cleaning this product from excess impurities.
His name was given to the mines in honor of the national hero, participant of the liberation and partisan movement - Bayo Sekulich. His monument is set in front of the main building. In the old days Solana was a symbol of the city of Ulcinj, thousands of people worked here. The decline in production began in the 90s of the twentieth century.
Once a powerful enterprise has become unusable, and from 2013 it does not work. Throughout the territory you can see the ruined buildings, rusty tools and mountains of salt of brown color, which remained unclaimed.
Birds of Ulcinsky Solana
Today, the territory of mines is considered a unique nature reserve, which was chosen by hundreds of birds. It is protected by the international project Important Bird Areas and the Emirald network.
These are real "warm edges" where birds flock to search for food (fish, shellfish, crayfish), wintering, rest and nesting. During the transcontinental flight period, 241 species were recorded in the mines, 55 different birds constantly live in the reserve. Over a day, up to 40,000 individuals can visit the Ulcinski Solana. Here you can find a curly-haired pelican, a meadow horsetail, a funnel, a yellow wagtail, a meadowhole, a sandpiper, a pink flamingo, a large cormorant, a gray flytrap, and so on.
Such a large number of birds attract not only ornithologists and fans to observe the life of birds, but, unfortunately, also poachers. Shooting in these parts is strictly prohibited, and the game does not carry any particular value. This is more the sporting interest of hunters, for example, the wild duck teal for a long flight is very tired and easy prey.
Here often come tourists who want to meditate or listen to the singing of birds. In fact, feverish twitter brings the body and psyche of a person into a state of harmony, helps to cope with depression and balance the various processes in the body. For tourists in the reserve built observation platform with binoculars, which runs from March to October.
What to do on the territory of the Ulcinski Solana?
On the territory of the Natural Park, since 2007, there is a museum dedicated to the history of the factory, as well as to the fauna and flora of the salt mines. Here are exhibited "trophies" of volunteers, obtained in the fight against poachers:
- traps;
- bait;
- stuffed animals, etc.
During the tour you can see the salt factory and swimming pools, get acquainted with the process of crystallization, walk along the paths and admire the plants growing in this area. For bikers visiting the mines will be slightly different. Its route has a length of 5400 m, and a pedestrian route - about 4 km.
During the wintering and seasonal migration of birds, many paths can be closed to tourists. This is done to protect and protect eggs and chicks. A visit to the mines is free, it is worth paying for the guide's services, if necessary.
How to get there?
To reach Solana from the nearest city Ulcinj it is possible with an organized excursion or by car along the road Solanski put or Bulevar Teuta / R-17.