There is an extremely large number of very specific and significant medieval fortress-cities throughout the territory of Montenegro. These buildings bear witness to the turbulent and rich history of the country. The area where the largest number of such historical and architectural gems is concentrated is Lake Skadar and its immediate surroundings.

According to some sources, the city was already mentioned in the 10th century during the first dynasty that ruled the area of present-day Montenegro (then Duklja), the Voislavljević dynasty. However, what is absolutely certain is that Žabljak was the capital city of the Crnojević dynasty, first of Stefan, and then of Ivan Crnojević, until 1478.

Then it was occupied by the Turks, in whose hands it remained until 1878, i.e. the Berlin Congress and the international recognition of Montenegro.

Of the more significant monuments, the city has the Ivan Castle and the Church of St. George, and the architecture shows Venetian influences from the early periods of the city's creation, as well as Turkish influences from the period of their domination.

Žabljak Crnojević is uninhabited today, but with its beauty, historical significance and dominant position, it is one of the most interesting tourist attractions in the Skadar Lake area.

Gordan Stojović