Guide ŠaskO LAKE INTRODUCTION Situated in the hinterland of the Ulcinj Riviera, Šasko Lake with its surroundings is a peace and tranquillity oasis, cultural and historical treasury and jewel of nature. Hidden from the bustle of modern life and crowd of summer tourist centres, this beautiful place is offering all its charms - countless natural beauties, history richness, traditions, legends and customs, delicious local cuisine dishes, the fruits of the olive groves, gardens, vineyards and orchards. Here you will have the opportunity to discover still unknown areas, enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, and acquire new skills and interests, as well as new friends, because it is hard to resist the charm, warmth and traditional hospitality of the local population. You will return home escorted by the singing of birds, beauty in the eyes and the heart full of unforgettable memories, richer for a great experience and happy to know that this place exists and that you were in it. Šasko lake Geographic Features natural attractions. The vicinity of Ulcinj, which is considered one of ABOUT ŠASKO LAKE and Attractions the sunniest places in the Adriatic, Mediterranean climate and annual average air temperature of 16 ° C, is generating favourable conditions for outdoor Šasko Lake is a smaller lake pertaining to Dinarides, living throughout the year. with the surface of 3.6 - 5.3 km². The Lake is located in the southeast of Montenegro, 23 km from Ulcinj, in the hinterland of two pearls of the Mediterranean The maximum depth of the Lake is 8 m, and - sandy, 13 km long Great Beach and the river island since it is located at an altitude of only 1 m, the Ada Bojana – famous by its beauty, in the mouth of Lake is crypto - depression, since some parts the river Bojana into the Adriatic Sea. Two additional of lakebed are below sea level. natural beauty and biodiversity treasures are located in the vicinity of this area - National Park Skadar Lake and Ulcinj Salt Factory. The wider area of Šasko Lake captures an area Briska Gora and flat terrain around the Šasko Lake, hills and plains of Anamalsko field with surrounding hills, while in the hinterland, this area is protected by the mountain massif of Rumija. Sights from this area reach the Adriatic Sea to the south, Albania to the east and the north - west to the prominent peaks of the mountain Rumija. Numerous and interesting geological and biological processes have made this area a true collection of Biodiversity are nesting and raising fledglings, some are staying only during winters, while some just rest on their long migratory journeys. Ornithological importance The absence of settlements on the lakeshores of this area has been recognized by the declaration contributed to rich diversity of flora and fauna, thus of the Region of importance for birds (Important extremely beautiful landscape is creating a strong Bird and Biodiversity Area – IBA). During the winter, impression of intact corners of nature. the Lake is hosting around twenty thousand water birds, mainly coots, which is a sufficient requirement In addition to forests, shrubs and bushes, the for the entry into the List of Ramsar wetlands of landscape of the environment is complemented international importance. Cormorants and pelicans by the floodplains around the Lake where oak, ash are wintering here and an interesting prey - Levant and poplar are predominant types of trees. The Lake Sparrowhawk - Accipiter brevipes - is staying during doesn’t have indented lakeshores. It is surrounded the summer and from spring during migration period, by dense reeds and sedge, while the water surface among many songbirds, prey birds and water birds, is partially covered with water lilies and other floating it is possible to meet hundreds of Oriole, Oriolus aquatic vegetation. oriolus, the type which is difficult to see in nature. Water is the main wealth of this area. The Lake itself, Because of the warm water, the temperature of which the river Bojana and vicinity of the coast, combined reaches 28° C in the summer, as well as because with a very favourable Mediterranean climate, the connection with the sea is made through the have created a specific ecosystem, inhabited by river Bojana, which is a tributary and shunt of the numerous plant and animal species, whereby from Lake, dark green lake water is hosting fresh and the standpoint of biodiversity, this area represents a marine ecosystems species. All this, together with national asset. This applies in particular to the birds lush vegetation contributes to the fact that the lake for which the area of Šasko Lake is famous. Some water is a home for 23 fish species, both freshwater of them are permanent residents of this area, some and marine. Among them are as follows: carp, chub, eel, bleak, gray mullet, nase, perch, bass, crucial carp, etc. HISTORY, CULTURAL attractions AND LEGENDS Geographical position and natural resources from ancient times attracted people to settle here, processed fertile land, raise cattle, engage in fishing and hunting wild animals. They, of course, attracted the invaders, thus the Šas area remembers many kingdoms, periods of peace and prosperity, but also destruction periods as confirmed today by numerous material evidence. Ancient City Šas minted - Sovacii civitas, with the image of the patron Ancient City Svač (Šas) St. John the Baptist on the one side and on the other, symbolizing the power and wealth of the city, was a fortress with towers and cannon fire. The city GPS: N 41°59'10.96" had the scriptorium (registry) which is suggesting E 19°18'58.78" that the city enjoyed a spiritual importance. During a turbulent history, the city resisted invasions of numerous invaders. Its walls remembered even the Findings of numerous archaeological excavations Mongols in the thirteenth century, and the history have shown that the history of life in this part of of the city is unfortunately ending in 1571, when it Montenegro goes back to prehistory. The most was conquered and completely destroyed by the important confirmation is the ancient city Svač (Šas, Ottomans. After this, the city was abandoned forever Suacium) situated on a stone hill above the Šasko and it never recovered. Lake. It was the spiritual and economic hub of the medieval state of Duklja, a forerunner of today's Today this ancient city, which is on the national list of Montenegro. protected cultural monuments of 1st category, lives only in the rich spiritual heritage and the remains of The first fortifications on this site date from 6th the city walls, towers, churches and other buildings, century A.D., from the period of which the city as well as in the discovered tools, money, fragments continually lived an entire millennium. The city of glass, pottery, etc. consisted of two parts - the fortress Svač which was at the top of the hill and the suburb that was located on both sides of the hill. Archaeologists believe that the city stretched on the area of approximately 6 hectares, and it is certain that local materials were used for its construction. Situated on an important trade route between Ulcinj (Olcinium) and Shkodra (Scodra), the city grew and developed. The trade was conducted in the squares and streets. Coins were Tsar Samuil and he was being taken and imprisoned According to tradition, Vadimir was tortured and left in a dungeon in Prespa, the capital of the then blinded in captivity, and Kosara, in her prayers to the Legend of 365 Churches Bulgarian Empire. God promised to build a place of worship for as many as there are days in the year if the God returns the Teodora (Kosara), noble daughter of the Tsar vision to Vladimir. Legend has it that, after the end There are many legends and myths about Svač, Samuil, on the occasion of visiting the cells to wash of the last church, Vladimir restored his vision. Today which are still passed from generation to generation. the faces of captives, met beautiful Vladimir. In the in the Svač area can be found foundations and the According to one of them, there were 365 churches discussion they had, he won Kosara’s heart, and remains of several churches and best preserved in Svač – one for each day of the year. she managed to convince her father – Tsar Samuil are two churches - one dedicated to the patron St. to let her marry the prince, and free him and give John the Baptist (alb. Shen Gjoni) located within the According to one interpretation, rich and religious him back the management of his land. As the king city walls, and the other, the church of St. Mary (alb. inhabitants of the city Svač were building houses of and queen, Vladimir and Kosara returned to Duklja Shën Maria), located in the suburb. prayers (chapels) near their houses for the purpose and continue its development, also leaving a legacy of easily performing religious practices, and the for future generations, i.e. one of the most beautiful The legend of the “city of churches” lives today, chapels were also used for the burials of church and most touching love stories in the history of the saving from oblivion the memory of old Svač and leaders and nobility. wider area, a story that has lived for 1,000 years. symbolizing true love and devotion. Another interesting tradition of the "City of 365 Interesting is also the tradition that during one night of the year, on the former site of the city, Churches" is related to Prince Vladimir, the first is held a meeting of spirits of all rulers of the prominent figure in Montenegrin history, and his Kingdom of Duklja.