Stari Grad (Old Town)

The old town of Ulcinj occupies a rocky headland above the sea, enclosed by massive stone walls that the Venetians and Ottomans both improved over the centuries. Inside, the lanes are narrow, the houses are close together, and the views from the walls drop straight to the water. It is a living neighbourhood, not a tourist reconstruction, and the scruffy authenticity is part of the appeal.

The citadel museum inside the walls is small but worth a visit for the Ottoman and Venetian artefacts and the photographs of old Ulcinj. The Church-Mosque of Ulcinj — a building that has functioned as both over its long history — stands within the walls and is one of the most unusual religious buildings on the Adriatic coast. Entry to the old town is free; the museum charges a small admission fee.

things to do sight neighbourhood
A story
Ulcinj's old town was a base for Barbary pirates from the 16th century onwards. The pirate trade was so entrenched that when the Ottomans finally cracked down in the 18th century, the townspeople rioted in protest — piracy had become the backbone of the local economy.

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