History, culture, legends, monuments

HISTORY

aNCIENT uLCINJ Based on historical traces and facts, Ulcinj for sure is one of the oldest cities not only in Montenegro, but in the whole shore of the Adriatic Sea.

The oldest traces found in the area of Ulcinj date from the old ages of V century B.C. The founders of Ulcinj is believed to have been the Ilyrians, and old nation with Indo - European origine, whose nowdays direct descendants are believed to be the Albanians.

Until the year of 132 B.C. Ulcinj was ruled by the Ilyrian tribe called Olciniatas and remaind under them until the Roman Emire took Ulcinj in II century B.C. Ulcinj's boom in every meaning of the word was during the time of free Ilyrian state. During the time of Roman Empire ruling the ancient Colchinijum was changed in Olcinijum, and during the ruling of them, Ulcinj has been awarded with a privileged status of "Opida civijum Romanorum" which was a starting point of indipendent status "Municipium".

Because of it’s extraordinary geographical location, mild climate and relief, Ulcinj has been almost durng it’s whole history a target for the conquerors. That Montenegrin town at the utmost south was frequently ruined during the wars, but thank ful to it’s citizens it succseed to built it over and over again.

ULCINJ IN TIMES Amoung the many who wanted to conquare Ulcinj, where at the end of the XIII century even the Mongolians, who performed an unsuccessful attack on Ulcinj. After the failure Mongolians have ruined the town Svac or Shas (close to Ulcinj – today a dead town), and murdered almost all of its citizens. After this catastophe Sasko (Shas) succeed to rebuilt again this town, but since the second destoying of this time by Turks, this Mediaval settlement is an ruine and nowdays an attraction which by the legend had 365 churches (as days in year).

In the XVII century the Ulcinj’s float had around 500 ships, which sailed across the whole waters of Mediterranean Sea. Many wars have imperiled the development of the Ulcinj float. In the XIV century Ulcinj was known by 400 pirates from other Mediterranean and north African countries, like: Malta, Tunis, and Algeria who have inhabited Ulcinj after the 1669 when Kanidian war was, so Ulcinj has turned into a dangerous pirate nest, which remained a characteristic of the town during the XVII and XVIII century too.

CULTURE

sABBTAI zEVI IN uLCINJ Ulcinj, as one of the oldest towns in Adriatic Coast for over the two and a half Milleniums defence itself from the attacks of the Time. During it's long and rich history, Ulcinj apart from conquerors, was a wish of many great peoples of their times. Ulcinj, respectively Old Town of Ulcinj, hosted and welcomed a famouse reformer of Jewish Holly book "Talmut" Sabatai Zevi (1626 - 1676) who lived durig it's period in Ulcinj in tower of Balsici. According to history facts and scientists, Ulcinj was his last resort after converting himself into Islam, where he lived in exile, and died under the name of Mehmed Efendi.

Ulcinj's treasure are not only monuments and buildings. the most valuable cultural and historical heritage of Ulcinj are it's own citizens and sons. Ulcinj is a mix of diferent cultures, nations and religions which with centuries live together in a harmony. During the times of the golden times for piratery, when Ulcinj lived the golden times of its Mediaval period, Pirats of Ulcinj, brought with them slaves from African countries which after the end of slave times, the ex slaves became free people and took the last names of their ex owners.

LEGENDS

Ucinj museum As every old town, Ulcinj as well has its own legends, fairy tales and othermoments and stories which during the time and generations where kept and probably changed a little explaining on the best way the way of living of the citizens during the centuries.

Through some centuries of it's history Ulcinj was a big pirate nest. From the XIV century Ulcinj started to be inhabited by prirates from different counties as Milta, Algeria and Tunis. those pirated together with domicile pirates combined spread fear on the waters of mediterranean Sea, and especialy during the XVII and XVIII century. Pirates of Ulcinj where so strong that there was practicly no ship, of whichever size it was in that time, that was not a goal of Ulcinj's pirat, stealing the goods that they transported and bringing them home.

Amoung them who where the most famouse and made most damages and where most dangerouse where brother Karaminxhoja, Lika ceni, Ali Hoxha and others.

Apart from roberries and attacks on all sorts of trade ships, the pirates of Ulcinj where also well known and by slaves trading from Africa. The dark skinned slaves of that time where been sold to those who needed slave for all sorts of hard work. But, fortunately, after the ending of the Slave period, ex slaves lived in Ulcinj as free people with last names of their ex owners. Still there are African Ulcinj's citizens, but not as there where at least until the end of XIX century when as the older citizens of Ulcinj say, around 100 dark skinned citizens.

The fairy tail which is one of the most famouse ans passed through generations as the main story for children, is the story of Lika Ceni. Lika Ceni is the most famouse pite chief of all time. Every time he had the opportunity he attacked the trading ships and sometimes the entire floats.

Once up on a time, Lika Ceni sank the ship on which where the pilgrims who where traveling to Mecca. As the story was spread in Ulcinj, it was an accident, but those rummours have heard the Turkish sultan and have ordered Lika ceni to be found and prisoned or killed and had even proclaimed a very valluable award fot than one who succeeds to find and kill Lika Ceni. But destiny didnt want that this King of the sea to be killed, since in that time appeared another name name which spread fear on the sea and it was dangerous pirate Lambro or Aralampija as he has been also called. Sulltan through his soon send a message that he will not be killed, and even more, he will be awarded if he kills Lambro.

After the titanic duel which came after some time between Lika Ceni and Lambro, a famouse Ulcinj's pirate killed Lambro. Sulltan kept his word, spared him from death and even awarded him with the title of Captain. for a long time the legend of Lika Ceni surrounded Ulcinj, and he was a symbol of many other generations of sailors and captains, which this city during the history had very much.