Lake Sas

Šasko jezero is a shallow lake northeast of Ulcinj close to the Albanian border, connected to the Bojana by a channel and rising and falling with it, fringed by reed and willow. It is one of the better birdwatching sites in the country, with pelicans, herons, terns and large numbers of migrants using it. On a hill above the lake are the ruins of Sas, a medieval mining town, with a fourteenth-century church among the remains.

Background

The Albanian name of the lake is Liqeni i Shasit, and it is also called Little Lake Skadar, since its plants and animals are the same as those of the much larger Lake Skadar. It covers 5.5 square kilometres, measuring 3.2 km in length and 1.5 km in width, with a greatest depth of 7.8 m and a shoreline of about 8.6 km. Briska Gora lies to the southwest, Fraskanjelsko Polje to the east, Ambulsko Brdo and Šasko Brdo to the northeast and Brisko Polje to the northwest. In the warmer months, large numbers of birds of many species gather on the water.

Source: Wikipedia, "Lake Šas"

Highlights

• The birdlife - pelicans, herons and terns using the shallow water and reeds.
• The reed fringe - the marsh vegetation around the lake edge.
• The Sas ruins - the medieval mining town on the hill above.
• The Bojana connection - the channel linking the lake to the river.

When to go

April to June and September to October are best for migrating birds. Water levels vary a great deal with the Bojana. Summer is hot and the birdlife thins.

Good to know

There is no visitor infrastructure: no hides, no paths and no signage. Mosquitoes are severe. The medieval ruins are overgrown and hard to find without directions.

Nearby

Ulcinj is southwest, and Ada Bojana is south.

Key facts