Lesendro, Island fortress in Lake Skadar, Montenegro.
Lesendro is a stone fortress on a former island in Lake Skadar, now connected to the mainland by a railway causeway. The fortification features preserved walls and internal chambers that reveal how the site was organized for defense and control.
Prince Peter II Petrovic Njegoš built the initial fortifications in 1832 to protect trade routes and control the surrounding waters. The structure developed further as the region became contested between different powers in the decades that followed.
The name Lesendro comes from Venetian times and honors those who defended the region. Visitors walking through the site can see how the stone structures were arranged to control movement across the water.
The fortress can be reached by car or train, with parking located about 400 meters from the entrance. The access is straightforward, though visitors should be aware of the active railway line that runs through the site.
The railway line from Belgrade to Bar runs directly through the fortress grounds, merging historical architecture with modern transportation. This unusual combination of active train tracks and ancient walls creates a striking contrast when you walk through the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
