Montenegro can praise for having the biggest lake in Balkans. Located in between Podgorica and Bar, Lake Skadar has area of 40,000 hectare. This natural treasure, that has status of national park, beside Montenegro it is also located in Albania. The Border of Montenegro and Albania separates this lake on half.
The name comes from the Albanian city Shkodër. Lake Skadar is also called as Lake Scutari, Lake Shkodër and Lake Shkodra.
The lake is karst and is one of the biggest bird reserves in Europe, having 270 bird species. It is a home of some of the last pelicans in Europe. It also contains habitats of seagulls and herons and is abundant in fish, especially in carp, bleak and eel. There are 34 different native fish species from which 7 are endemic to Lake Skadar.
Image by George Miroshnikov via Flickr
Lake Skadar has a rich history and culture that is witnessed by the numerous archaeological locations, mid-century monasteries and churches, folk architecture as well as fishermen villages, old bridges, windmills and wells. The status of National Park this Lake got is in 1983.
Lake Skadar view from Lesendro Fortress, Virpazar, Montenegro
Autumn colours at Lake Skadar, Montenegro
Image by Frank Vassen via Flickr
There are many visitors that are visiting this national treasure daily. The numerous species of birds are real attraction among the visitors. Beside this, another attraction is cruise on the Lake, from which it can be seen the old prison on the island in the river Moraca, as well as the Montenegro fortress Lesendro.
Image by Américo Meira via Flickr
Image by Jodie Gallagher via Flickr
This nature jewels is visited not only by the Montenegro people but by other nations too, mostly by French and Italian.
During the summer period the temperature of Lake Skadar is above 27 C (80,6 F), which is so much tempting for the tourists. The average depth of the lake is 5 meters (3.28 feet).
Image by Matthew Goulding via Flickr
Shkodra castle, Albania
Image by Christian Guthier via Flickr