Skadar Lake National Park

Skadar Lake, due to its natural values and historical and cultural significance, was declared the fourth Montenegrin national park in 1983. It stretches through the Montenegrin part of the lake and its shores. It is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula and in Southeast Europe and is divided between Montenegro and Albania. It is located in the Zeta-Skadar valley, is 50 km long, and at most 14 km wide, captivating with its size and natural beauty. The park differs from other national parks in Montenegro and beyond, with pronounced limnological characteristics, an extremely diverse algal flora, and rich birdlife and fish fauna. The most valuable segment of cultural heritage in the park and its immediate surroundings belongs to the monument fund—medieval monasteries from the reign of the Balsic and Crnojevic families and fortifications from the time of Ottoman domination. Monasteries and churches are located on the islands of the lake like Vranjina, Starcevo, Beska, Moracnik. The lake is easily accessible, as it is located along the main road from Podgorica to the coast, and an international railway passes along the lake.