Besac, Medieval fortress in Virpazar, Montenegro
Besac is a medieval fortress situated on a hilltop above Virpazar with stone walls, defensive towers, and rectangular stone buildings. These structures overlook Lake Skadar and the surrounding landscape below.
The fortress was built in 1478 during the Ottoman Empire's conquest of Donja Zeta. It was then substantially rebuilt and reinforced in 1847 under Prince Petar II Petrović Njegoš.
The name relates to its strategic position guarding water routes through the region. You can observe how the structure functions today as a place where locals and visitors gather, blending historical stone walls with contemporary uses.
The best time to visit is during daylight hours when sun illuminates the stone walls and lake views. The site is walkable from central Virpazar, though reaching the hilltop requires climbing on foot.
The fortress was originally constructed without extensive fortifications yet proved strategically sound enough to endure for centuries. Modern restoration work has made the ruins habitable again, showing how medieval structures adapt to contemporary use.
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