Sightseeing stop in Besac: discover beautiful places in Montenegro

Besac highlight

We at Monterrasol Transfers specialize in private car transfers. Together with the transfer itself, we propose that you visit some beautiful places along the transfer route. We call such places optional sightseeing stops (short excursions).

One of the places we selected to propose as a sightseeing stop is a beautiful Besac in Montenegro. Sightseeing stops are a perfect easy opportunity to see new places during your transfer across Montenegro, especially during long distance transfers. Take it as a great option to get in touch with local culture and history. It's good to combine transportation and sightseeing together!

Looking out over the town Virpazar, this recently reconstructed fortress was built by the Turks in 1478, and was the scene of many a bloody battles. Nowadays, it's an easy uphill stroll from Virpazar and offers splendid views over the small town of Virpazar, Lake Skadar, the Montenegrin mountains and its surrounds.

Last reviewed: 31 May 2022

Besac description

Besac Fortress was built by the Turks in the 15th century, together with few other fortresses in immediate environment. Besac Fortress was used by Turks for the entire period of Turkish domination. Because of its extraordinary strategic position, The fortress played a significant role in the control of Skadar Lake.

The name Besac comes from the Albanian word "besa", which means: faith, given word, security. It is possible that some kind of fortification existed during the medieval times, and perhaps even earlier, and that the Turks only fortified Besac Fortress. Local people still have legends about buried treasures that date back to the Illyrian era.

The Besac Fortress is located on a plateau of 1200 m2. It is built of hewn crushed stone richly dipped in lime mortar and stacked in regular horizontal rows, with rough joints. The Besac Fortress is a fortification with towers, a barracks building, a defensive wall with an entrance gate, observation posts, and auxiliary facilities. It is protected by defensive walls that follow the basic configuration of the terrain, so that the complex has the shape of an irregular triangle.

The fortress itself has a rectangular base with two circular towers with observation towers at opposite corners. The one facing the lake had a floor and an arched underground part. The building that served as a barracks, located near the entrance, has a rectangular base, with a gabled roof. The ramparts are of different heights, depending on the configuration of the terrain.

Between the two world wars, a gendarmerie station was located in Besac. During World War II, the Italians used it as a prison. After that it was permanently abandoned.

In 2013, the first phase of the restoration of the Besac Fortress was completed, with the intention of including this monument as tourist attraction. The position of the Besac Fortress is highly recommends as it has an extraordinary lookout point, easy accessibility and in proximity of the main road.

Today, still partially restores old fortress provide fantastic views over the small town of Virpazar, Lake Skadar and the Montenegrin mountains.

We know good things to see in Montenegro. We know the roads, well-known tourist attractions like UNESCO sites, and off-the-beaten-path places.

If you would like to learn more about Montenegro and explore it by visiting different attractions, come with us for a private tour. We can travel all across Montenegro and we will show you all the important tourist attractions together with the hidden gems of this beautiful country. Feel free to contact us!

We have developed numerous itineraries for private car tours in Montenegro as well as in neighboring countries, including tours passing through several countries as one journey. Solo private tours and tours for Seniors are available also.