Ulcinj Old Town: From Pirates and Poets to Sunset Views and Stone Streets
Perched on a rocky hill above the Adriatic, with sweeping views of the sea and the coast, the Old Town of Ulcinj (Ulcinj Old Town) is one of the oldest urban settlements on the Montenegrin coast — and certainly one of the most intriguing.
With a history that blends pirates, slaves, sultans, merchants, and mystics, this fortified city has seen it all. Today, it offers visitors and residents not just stone walls and sea views, but also a profound sense of continuity, where stories from centuries past still echo through narrow alleyways.
Ulcinj Old Town: A Town of Pirates and Poets
What sets Ulcinj apart from other coastal towns is its unique past as a center of piracy in the 17th and 18th centuries. For decades, Ulcinj was known as a pirate stronghold under Ottoman rule, with its corsairs (sea raiders) capturing merchant ships across the Adriatic and beyond. Captives were brought back to Ulcinj, where many were ransomed or remained in slavery.
One of the most famous legends is that of Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish author of Don Quixote, who is believed by some scholars to have been held as a slave in Ulcinj between 1575 and 1580. While historical evidence is debated, the town honors this story, and locals will proudly point out the street once known as the “Street of the Slaves.”
Many freed slaves eventually converted to Islam and stayed in Ulcinj, becoming part of its multicultural fabric. This rich blend of Oriental, Mediterranean, and Balkan influences continues to define the architecture and soul of the Old Town today.
A Living Museum Above the Sea
Ulcinj’s Old Town is not a monument — it’s a living neighborhood, where people still live in centuries-old stone houses, hang laundry on their balconies, and gather in cafés carved into fortress walls. As you walk through the gates, you’ll pass layers of history: Illyrian foundations, Venetian architecture, Ottoman mosques, and traditional seaside homes with flat roofs and arched windows.
Here, every stone has a story:
- Climb to the Citadel for panoramic views of the coastline
- Visit the Old Mosque with its 17th-century minaret
- Watch the sunset from the walls where pirates once stood guard
- Discover galleries, boutique hotels, and family-run taverns tucked into the labyrinth of cobbled streets
A Place to Experience, Live, and Fall in Love With
The Old Town of Ulcinj today is a destination of romance, culture, and calm. It’s a place where time slows down, where the sea breeze carries echoes of the past, and where every view feels like a painting. From pirate tales and Cervantes legends to slow mornings with Turkish coffee overlooking the Adriatic, the Old Town of Ulcinj invites you to step into a story that’s still being written.
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