Besac, Medieval fortress in Virpazar, Montenegro
Besac is a medieval fortress perched on a hilltop above Virpazar, in the Bar municipality of Montenegro, made up of stone walls, defensive towers, and rectangular stone buildings. It sits high enough above the valley that from its walls you can see Lake Skadar and the hills rolling around it.
The fortress was built in 1478 during the Ottoman takeover of Donja Zeta, the lowland territory around Lake Skadar. In 1847 Prince Petar II Petrovic Njegos had it rebuilt and reinforced, giving it much of the form you see today.
The name Besac is thought to come from the Venetian word for tower, reflecting the region's long history of shifting powers. Today visitors can walk along the old stone walls and look out over Lake Skadar, much as sentries once did.
The site is within walking distance from central Virpazar, but reaching the hilltop means a steady uphill climb on foot, so comfortable shoes are worth wearing. Going during the day makes the most of the open views, as the stone and the lake below are best seen in natural light.
Although the fortress was first built under Ottoman rule, it was a Montenegrin prince who gave it the form that stands today, making it a rare example of a structure that changed hands and purposes across centuries. The 1847 rebuilding took place at a time when Montenegro was still fighting for independence, which adds a layer of meaning to the thick walls that still surround the hilltop.
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