Žabljak Crnojevića, Medieval fortress in Cetinje, Montenegro.
Žabljak Crnojevića is a stone fortress positioned on a hill where the Morača River meets Lake Skadar. The complex is defined by six towers and high walls that enclose various structures within its boundaries.
The fortress was established in the late 15th century as the capital of a regional state under a local dynasty. It remained a center of power for roughly a decade before falling to military conquest.
The fortress still holds traces of a ruler's residence and a church dedicated to Saint George, built during its period as a seat of power. Walking through the structures, visitors can sense how religious and secular life were organized within the walls.
Access is via a straightforward walk of roughly ten minutes from a parking area near a waterside restaurant. The best time to visit is in clear weather and dry conditions so you can explore the full site and surrounding landscape comfortably.
During the early Ottoman period, the entire fortress was guarded by a single administrator responsible for managing the site. This unusual arrangement reveals how control of the place was maintained long after its conquest.
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