- Location: Skadar Lake, Bar, Montenegro
Skadar Lake is one of the main natural attractions of Montenegro . It is attractive not only for its landscapes, but also for its rich history. It was built many architectural objects and defensive structures that played an important role in the Montenegrin-Turkish conflict. One of them is the fortress of Grmojur.
History of the construction of the fortress Grmozov
The erection of this defensive structure began in 1843, when the Ottoman army decided to protect their possessions on the Skadar Lake. Before that, they had already managed to seize such fortresses as:
- Lesendro ;
- Vranina ;
- Zabljak .
The release of Grmohura took place 35 years later, in 1878. In 1905 a powerful earthquake occurred in this part of Skadar Lake, which turned the fort into ruins. Until now, the fortress of Gremohur remains an abandoned, unnecessary monument of history, serving as a habitat for birds and snakes.
Architectural features of the fortress Grmojur
The fort was built on a small island in the Skardar Lake, only 2 km from the shore. It has an area of 430 square meters. m. The internal part of the Gremozhura, which housed soldiers and defensive weapons, was fenced with water and thick walls 0.5-1.2 m thick. When constructing the walls, a primitive Turkish masonry was used.
The fortress of Gremohur is divided into two buildings, each of which has a separate door. At each corner of the fort there used to be defensive towers with narrow loopholes.
The use of the fortress Grmojur
Until 1878, the fortification was used for its intended purpose. With the advent of the Montenegrin troops, the situation changed: King Nicolas I issued a decree on the establishment of a prison for especially dangerous criminals in the fortress of Grmojur.
According to her rules, if someone from the prisoners managed to escape, his place should have been taken by the guard. In spite of the fact that two kilometers of water strip and thick fortress walls separated from the land of criminals, one of them all the same escaped. To do this, he removed the prison door and used it as a raft.
Gremohur is a historical and architectural landmark, which is currently in a state of neglect. Once a powerful military fortification became a ruin, and its restoration today, unfortunately, is not interesting either to private construction companies or to the state itself.
Visiting the Gremohur fortress is recommended for those tourists who enjoy the history of Montenegro and its situation during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, as well as those who are interested in the architecture and nature of this small country.
How to get to the fortress of Grmajor?
This fortification is located in the southeast of Montenegro, almost in the middle of Skadar Lake. The easiest way to get there is from the city of Virpazar . On the water the distance between them is only 6 km. In the city you can hire a boat, which for $ 26 will be delivered to the fortress of Grmajor and back.
Vierpazar itself is located about 30 km from Podgorica , with which it connects the E65 / E80 and E762 roads. The route from the capital to the coast of Skadar Lake takes about 40 minutes. Route E65 / E80 also connects Virpazar with Budva . Under normal conditions, the path of 43 km can be overcome in less than an hour.