{{Infobox settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox settlement--> | name = Ulcinj | native_name = {{lang|cnr-Cyrl|Улцињ}}<br/>{{lang|sq|Ulqin}} | settlement_type = Town and municipality | pushpin_map = Montenegro | pushpin_label_position = left<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Montenegro | pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Montenegro | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Coastal | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = Ulcinj | timezone = CET | utc_offset = +1 <!-- images and maps ----------->| image_skyline = {{multiple image |total_width = 300 |border = infobox |perrow = 1/2/2 |caption_align = center | image1 = Ulcinj, Montenegro - Sept. 2010.jpg |caption1 = View over Ulcinj | image2 = Xhamia e Pashës, Ulqin.jpg |caption2 = The Pasha's Mosque | image3 = 18 Ulcinj wieza zegarowa.jpg |caption3 = The Clocktower }} | map_caption = Location of Ulcinj, Montenegro. | timezone_DST = CEST | utc_offset_DST = +2 | population_as_of = 2023 census | government_type = Mayor-Assembly | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Genci Nimanbegu | leader_party = FORCA | area_total_km2 = 255 | population_rank = 11th in Montenegro | population_blank1 = 21,395 {{increase}} | population_blank1_title = Municipality | population_density_km2 = 79.47 | population_urban = 11,488 {{increase}} | population_rural = 9,907 {{increase}} | population_demonym = Ulcinjani<br />Ulqinakë | parts = 39 | parts_type = Settlements | established_date = 5th century BC | coordinates = {{coord|41.92|19.20|region:ME|display=inline,title}} | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = +382 30 | blank1_info_sec1 = UL | blank1_name_sec1 = Car plates | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 85360 | blank_info_sec1 = ME-20 | blank_name_sec1 = ISO 3166-2 code | website = {{URL|http://www.ul-gov.me|Official Website}} | image_flag = Flag of Ulcinj.svg | image_shield = Coat of Arms of Ulcinj.svg | shield_alt = Coat of arms | flag_link = Coat of arms of Ulcinj }}
'''Ulcinj'''{{efn|name=native name 1|{{langx|cnr|Улцињ, {{IPA|cnr|ûlt͡siɲ|pron}}}}, Written identically in Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin and Serbian.}}{{efn|name=native name 3|{{langx|it|Dulcigno}}.}} ({{langx|sq|Ulqin}}) is a town in the coastal region of Montenegro and the capital of Ulcinj Municipality.<ref name="Inspire your travels - latest">{{cite web | title=Visit Ulcinj | website=Inspire your travels - latest | date=18 February 2018 | url=https://www.itinari.com/location/ulcinj | access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> It has an urban population of 11,488.<ref name="MONSTAT">{{cite web | title=Statistical Office of Montenegro | website=MONSTAT |url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/montenegro-census2023.htm| access-date=2024-04-15}}</ref>
As one of the oldest settlements in the Adriatic coast, it was founded in 5th century BC. It was captured by the Romans in 163 BC from the Illyrians. With the division of the Roman Empire, it was a part of the Byzantine Empire. In the Middle Ages, the Serbian Kingdom and the House of Balsha ruled Ulcinj until the Republic of Venice captured it in 1405 as part of Venetian Albania.<ref name="Discover Montenegro 2016">{{cite web | title=Ulcinj | website=Discover Montenegro | date=2016-04-20 | url=https://www.discover-montenegro.com/ulcinj/ | access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> It was known as a base for piracy.<ref name="TO Ulcinj – Welcome to TO Ulcinj">{{cite web | title=The Ulcinj pirates – TO Ulcinj | website=TO Ulcinj – Welcome to TO Ulcinj | url=http://ulcinj.travel/en/the-ulcinj-pirates/ | access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> In 1571, Ulcinj was conquered by the Ottoman Empire with the aid of North African corsairs after the Battle of Lepanto.<ref name="TO Ulcinj – Welcome to TO Ulcinj 2018">{{cite web | title=Ulcinj in Middle Age – TO Ulcinj | website=TO Ulcinj – Welcome to TO Ulcinj | date=2018-11-10 | url=https://ulcinj.travel/en/ulcinj-in-middle-age/ | access-date=2023-05-09}}</ref> The town gradually became a Muslim-majority settlement. Under the Ottomans, numerous hammams and mosques, and a clock tower were built. Ulcinj remained a den of piracy until this was finally put to an end by Mehmed Pasha Bushati. Ulcinj remained an Ottoman town for more than 300 years until it was ceded to the Principality of Montenegro in 1878.<ref name="Visit Montenegro">{{cite web | title=The History of Ulcinj | website=Visit Montenegro | url=https://www.visit-montenegro.com/destinations/ulcinj/info/history | access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> During World War II, the coastal town was ceded to the Kingdom of Albania before later becoming part of Yugoslavia and, eventually, the modern state of Montenegro. It is a former medieval Catholic bishopric and remains a Latin titular see.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Čoralić|first=Lovorka|year=2011|title=Verita d'alcuni heretici": The archbishop of Bar vs the count of Ulcinj - Two accusations, two testimonies (the sixteenth century)|journal=Acta Histriae|volume=19|issue=3|pages=407–418|url= http://www.dlib.si/stream/URN:NBN:SI:doc-QXH9IDK8/7bbb54b7-8f87-4060-a4f1-3ba0041d8106/PDF}}</ref>
Ulcinj is a popular destination for tourists, because of its Long Beach, Lake Šas, Ada Bojana Island and for Ulcinj Castle, parts of which date back two millennia.<ref name="My Guide Montenegro">{{cite web | title=Ulcinj | website=My Guide Montenegro | url=https://www.myguidemontenegro.com/regionalinfo/ulcinj | access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> There are 26 mosques in the town and surrounding countryside.<ref name="Lonely Planet 2019">{{cite web | title=Ulcinj travel - Montenegro, Europe | website=Lonely Planet | date=2019-09-08 | url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/montenegro/coastal-montenegro/ulcinj | access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> Ulcinj is the centre of the Albanian community in Montenegro.<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica">{{cite web | title=Montenegro - People | website=Encyclopedia Britannica | url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Montenegro | access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref>
== Etymology == Early historian Livy (59 BC–AD 17) mentioned it,<ref name="Mijović1970">{{cite book|author=Pavle Mijović|title=Tragom drevnih kultura Crne Gore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ef0bAAAAMAAJ|year=1970|publisher=Grafički zavod|page=35}}</ref> as did Pliny the Elder (23–79),<ref name="PraschnikerSchober1976">{{cite book|author1=C. Praschniker|author2=A. Schober|title=Arch?ologische Forschungen in Albanien und Montenegro|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DO4JAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA82|year=1976|publisher=Рипол Классик|isbn=978-5-87379-103-3|pages=82–}}</ref> who mentioned it as ''Olcinium'', its old name ''Colchinium'', "founded by [settlers from] Colchis" (Olchinium quod antea Colchinium dictum est a Colchis conditum).<ref name="PraschnikerSchober1976"/> Ptolemy (90–168) mentions the city as Greek ''Oulkinion'' (Ουλκίνιον).<ref>{{cite book|title=Claudii Ptolemaei Geographia edidit Carolus Fridericus Augustus Nobbe|volume=1|chapter=16|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKJA_GDRGT4C|year=1843|publisher=sumptibus et typis Caroli Tauchnitii|page=134}}</ref>
Although the ancient writers preferred a connection with Cholchis, the name of the settlement is connected with the Albanian word ''ujk'' or ''ulk'' (meaning wolf in English),<ref name="Wilkes244">{{cite book|last=Wilkes|first=John|title=The Illyrians|year=1992|publisher=Wiley|isbn=9780631146711|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l8q0QgAACAAJ&q=Wilkes%20the%20illyrians|pages=244}} "Names of individuals peoples may have been formed in a similar fashion, Taulantii from ‘swallow’ (cf. the Albanian tallandushe) or Erchelei the ‘eel-men’ and Chelidoni the ‘snail-men’. The name of the Delmatae appears connected with the Albanian word for ‘sheep’ delmë) and the Dardanians with for ‘pear’ (dardhë). Some place names appear to have similar derivations, including Olcinium (Ulcinj from ‘wolf’ (ukas), although the ancients preferred a connection with Cholchis."</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1= Birnbaum|first1=Henrik|last2=Puhvel|first2=Jaan|title=Ancient Indo-European Dialects|chapter=The Position of Albanian|year=1963|publisher=University of California Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5pCBRsfJMv8C|page=108}}</ref> from Proto-Albanian ''*(w)ulka'', from Proto-Indo-European ''*wĺ̥kʷos''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Orel|first=Vladimir|title=Albanian etymological dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yJQYAQAAIAAJ|year=1998|publisher=Brill|isbn=9004110240|page=484}}</ref>
In modern Albanian, it is known as ''Ulqin''. The name, through Late (Vulgar) Roman, became Middle Latin '''Ulcinium''', {{langx|it|Dulcigno}} ({{IPA|it|dulˈtʃiɲɲo|pron}}), and ''Dolchin'', modern Italian ''Dulcigno'' Slavic: ''Ulcinj'', Old Serbian: Льцин, Ульцин and {{langx|tr|Ülgün}}.
== History ==
=== Antiquity === Ulcinj is an ancient seaport.<ref name="Rellie">{{cite book |title= Montenegro|last= Rellie |first= Annalisa |year=2012 |publisher= The Globe Pequot Press Inc |location= Bradt Travel Guides Ltd, IDC House, The Vale, Chalfront St Peter, Bucks SL9 9RZ, England|isbn=978-1-84162-381-8 |pages=207–208 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=L0Apj11ifqUC&q=Ulcinj&pg=PA206|access-date=2013-06-20}}</ref> The wider area of Ulcinj has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, based on dating of Illyrian tombs (tumuli) found in the village of Zogaj, in the vicinity of Ulcinj. The town is believed to have been founded in the 5th century BC by colonists from Colchis, as mentioned in the 3rd century BC poem by Apollonius of Rhodes. Illyrians lived in the region at the time as there are traces of immense Cyclopean walls still visible in the old Citadel.<ref name="Rellie" />
All through the pre-medieval period, Ulcinj was known as a pirate capital of the Adriatic Sea. This is also seen during the later period of Illyrian Kingdom. From 20 BC to around 300 AD, the inhabitants of Ulcinj were known to be very confrontational towards foreigners they were especially concerned by border disputes.
=== Roman === thumb|Roman Doclea In 168 BC, during the Third Illyrian War, Olcinium broke with Gentius and defected to the Romans (Livy 45:26:2). Under Roman rule the town received the status of ''oppidum civium Romanorum'' (settlement of Roman citizens), only to be later granted ''municipium'' (independent town) status.
The ''Periplus Maris Erythraei'' names several Indian ports from where large ships sailed in an easterly direction to ''Khruse'' (Kruče - seaside village in Ulcinj).<ref>Donkin, Robin A. (2003), ''Between East and West: The Moluccas and the Traffic in Spices Up to the Arrival of Europeans'', Diane Publishing Company, {{ISBN|0-87169-248-1}}, page. 64</ref>
From circa 820, the city was the see of a Diocese of Ulcinj, which was only suppressed in 1532, and would be revived as a Latin titular bishopric.
=== Medieval period === In the 9th century, it was in the Dyrrhachium theme, a military governorate of the Byzantine Empire. In 1010, ''Tsar'' Samuel of Bulgaria (r. 997-1014†) failed to conquer the town during the war against the Byzantines. By 1040, ''archon'' Stefan Vojislav of Duklja conquered the region. In 1183, Serbian Prince Stefan Nemanja conquered Olcinium and the town prospered as one of the most significant coastal towns. Ulcinj remained in Nemanjić hands in their Kingdom and Empire, and after the death of Emperor Dušan (r. 1331-1355†), the region, known as ''Lower Zeta'', was under the supervision of ''gospodin'' Žarko, a ''voivode'' of Emperor Uroš the Weak until his death in 1360. Žarko's lands were then held by the Balšić family. Under Balšić control, Ulcinj continued to be an important town and also minted coins.
=== Venetian and Ottoman rule === thumb|Map of Ülgün (named ''Dulcigno'' in the Italian-made map) in 1573 by Simon Pinargenti According to historian Luigi Paulucci at the time of the Venetians the town was half Albanian, a quarter Venetian and one quarter Slavic.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Paulucci|first=Luigi|title=Le Bocche di Cattaro nel 1810 Edizioni Italo Svevo|year=2005|location=Trieste}}</ref>
In 1496 Arnold von Harff created a German-Albanian dictionary simply by interacting with the population of the city.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ushaku|first=Ruzhdi|title =Ulqini në përmasa kërkimi dhe frymëzimi|year=2010|location=Ulcinj}}</ref><ref>Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229035336/http://illyriapress.com/trashegimia-historike-dhe-kulturore-e-ulqinit/<nowiki> |date=29 dhjetor 2016 }} nga Cafo Boga</nowiki></ref>
The Venetians attempted to capture the town twice, in 1696 and 1718, but were unsuccessful on both occasions.
During the 19th century, the town began to regain its position as a flourishing port. The geographer Antonio Baldacci reported a merchant marine of 500 ships plying the trade routes between the Adriatic and Mediterranean coasts.
In 1867, Ulcinj became a kaza of the İşkodra sanjak of Rumeli veyalet. After the Congress of Berlin in 1878, borders between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire were redrawn, with Plav and Gusinje being ceded to Montenegro. But Muslim Albanian resistance prevented the Montenegrins from taking over Plav and Gusinje, so the Great Powers in 1880 decided to reverse the territorial transfer and offered Ulcinj, then also known as Dulcigno, to Montenegro as compensation.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} This led to a dispute between the Ottoman Empire and the Principality of Montenegro as the Ottoman Empire initially refused to recognize the treaty's provisions regarding Dulcigno. The Ottoman garrison in the town had been in place since the 16th century, but Montenegro claimed that the town and its surrounding territory were historically part of its territory.
In May 1880, the Great Powers (Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia) protested diplomatically and organized a naval demonstration off the coast of Dulcigno to put pressure on the Ottoman Empire to resolve the dispute peacefully. The Ottoman Empire eventually agreed to cede the town and surrounding territory to Montenegro in exchange for compensation.[[File:The Surrender of Dulcigno, the Last of the International Squadron - The Graphic 1880.jpg|thumb|The Surrender of Dulcigno, the last of the International Squadron. The Graphic 1880]] The surrender of Dulcigno to Montenegro marked a significant expansion of Montenegro's territory and was seen as a diplomatic victory for the Great Powers, who had prevented a potentially violent conflict in the region.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
After the city's annexation to Montenegro, of its 8,000-strong population about 3,000 Albanians left and settled elsewhere in northern Albania. 142 Montenegrin families were brought to settle in the outskirts of Ulcinj in the 1880s. The population of Ulcinj steadily decreased until the post-WWII period.{{sfn|Poláčková|Van Duin|2013|p=80}}
=== 20th century to present === thumb|Ulcinj fish market in 1908 Ulcinj became a part of the Kingdom of Montenegro from 1878 until 1918 when Montenegro was absorbed into the Kingdom of Serbia for a short time before all would be incorporated into the first of the Yugoslav federations at the end of the year. Ulcinj remained within a Montenegrin entity whilst a South Slavic state had existed until 2006 when which it became part of an independent Montenegro following a referendum.
During the 20th century, Ulcinj survived heavy declines and new ascents. Ulcinj was the second biggest town of Montenegro when it joined the kingdom in 1880. In just three decades, it slid back to 6th place for economic development and number of inhabitants (after Podgorica, Niksic, Cetinje, Tivat and Plava). During World War I Ulcinj was conquered by Austria-Hungary in 1916 and Italy on November 4, 1918,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://augusto.digitpa.gov.it/gazzette/index/download/id/1918261_PM|title=Gazzetta Ufficiale del Regno d'Italia N. 261 del 6 Novembre 1918|date=6 November 1918|work=Gazzetta Ufficiale del Regno d'Italia|access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref> and since 1920 it was part of the Serbo-Croatian-Slovenian Kingdom, later known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
As the southernmost city of the coast of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Ulcinj had a strong turnaround in the 1930s with the development of the tourist industry. At that time hotels were built such as Krištja, Republic, Jadran and Koop (later Galeb). World War II halted economic momentum. From 1941 to 1944, Ulcinj was under the Albanian administration. On November 7, 1943, Ulcinj was bombarded by Allied forces, with over 46 people killed and many more injured. The Yugoslav Partisans took Ulcinj on November 26, 1944, and the city become part of Socialist Yugoslavia.<ref>LTKU (1989), fq. 46</ref><ref>[http://www.cdm.me/politika/cetkovic-dps-i-forca-hoce-da-brisu-istoriju-ulcinja Ćetković: DPS i Forca hoće da brišu istoriju Ulcinja]</ref><ref>[http://www.visit-ulcinj.com/blog/2014/03/19/ruzna-strana-lepote-ulcinja/ Ružna strana lepote Ulcinja]</ref>
The 1950s and 1960s marked the greatest period of economic development for Ulcinj, with the construction of a range of modern hotels in the city and the Great Plain, as well as major economic collectives (NHT "Riviera of Ulcinj", "Agroulqini", Primary Building Company, "Otrantkomerc", "Ultep" and others). It demarcated the southernmost end of the Adriatic Highway ("magistrala"), also constructed in the 50s and 60s. In the catastrophic Montenegro earthquake on April 15, 1979, the city was severely damaged, but after only a few years, with the solidarity of the citizens of entire Yugoslavia, it was quickly renovated. Ulcinj at the end of the eighties had about 40 percent of the tourist turnover in Montenegro, while two-thirds of the guests were foreign, mostly German.
During the Kosovo War, in 1998 and 1999, thousands of Kosovo Albanians flocked to Ulcinj and its surroundings, where they were welcomed in the best possible conditions by the ethnic Albanian population of Ulcinj and the surrounding area.
== Geography ==
=== Neighbourhoods === *''Çarshia'' (mn. ''Čaršija''), is a neighbourhood and town centre which connects the old and new parts (neighbourhoods). In 2009 it was reconstructed, with the asphalt being changed into sett and the water and electrical system were changed. The neighbourhood has some 200 shops. There are two mosques located in this area, the Namazgjahu Mosque and Kryepazari Mosque.
=== Climate === Ulcinj has a Mediterranean climate (''Csa'') in the Köppen climate classification.<ref name="Peel">Peel, M. C. et al [http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf ''Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification.''] Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 2007, Volume 11(1027–5606) pp1633–1644 DOI 10.5194 Hess-11-1633-2007.</ref> Winters are cool and very rainy, and summers are hot and humid with possible afternoon thunder showers. Unlike Podgorica which is located inland, temperatures rarely exceed {{convert|35|°C|0|abbr=on}} and seldom drop below {{convert|0|°C|0|abbr=on}}.
{{Weather box | width = auto | metric first = yes | single line = yes | location = Ulcinj (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1949–present) | Jan record high C = 19.6 | Feb record high C = 26.7 | Mar record high C = 26.8 | Apr record high C = 31.7 | May record high C = 33.9 | Jun record high C = 37.6 | Jul record high C = 41.1 | Aug record high C = 41.0 | Sep record high C = 36.0 | Oct record high C = 32.6 | Nov record high C = 27.9 | Dec record high C = 20.7 | year record high C = 41.1 | Jan high C = 11.5 | Feb high C = 12.7 | Mar high C = 15.6 | Apr high C = 19.0 | May high C = 23.8 | Jun high C = 28.1 | Jul high C = 30.7 | Aug high C = 31.3 | Sep high C = 26.8 | Oct high C = 22.3 | Nov high C = 17.4 | Dec high C = 12.6 | year high C = 21.0 | Jan low C = 3.6 | Feb low C = 4.4 | Mar low C = 6.7 | Apr low C = 9.6 | May low C = 13.7 | Jun low C = 17.6 | Jul low C = 19.5 | Aug low C = 20.1 | Sep low C = 16.6 | Oct low C = 13.0 | Nov low C = 9.0 | Dec low C = 4.7 | year low C = 11.5 | Jan record low C = −8.4 | Feb record low C = −8.3 | Mar record low C = −5.00 | Apr record low C = 0.4 | May record low C = 5.2 | Jun record low C = 8.9 | Jul record low C = 12.3 | Aug record low C = 10.6 | Sep record low C = 8.6 | Oct record low C = 1.1 | Nov record low C = −2.2 | Dec record low C = −5.6 | year record low C = −8.4 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 139.9 | Feb precipitation mm = 126.3 | Mar precipitation mm = 124.8 | Apr precipitation mm = 102.7 | May precipitation mm = 77.9 | Jun precipitation mm = 60.1 | Jul precipitation mm = 27.8 | Aug precipitation mm = 39.4 | Sep precipitation mm = 112.5 | Oct precipitation mm = 146.3 | Nov precipitation mm = 167.2 | Dec precipitation mm = 164.1 | year precipitation mm = 1289.0 | unit precipitation days = 1 mm | Jan precipitation days = 9.4 | Feb precipitation days = 9.6 | Mar precipitation days = 9.0 | Apr precipitation days = 9.0 | May precipitation days = 7.0 | Jun precipitation days = 4.1 | Jul precipitation days = 2.4 | Aug precipitation days = 2.9 | Sep precipitation days = 6.4 | Oct precipitation days = 8.4 | Nov precipitation days = 10.3 | Dec precipitation days = 10.8 | year precipitation days = 89.3 | Jan sun = 121.3 | Feb sun = 126.8 | Mar sun = 170.5 | Apr sun = 202.3 | May sun = 263.7 | Jun sun = 299.2 | Jul sun = 349.9 | Aug sun = 319.6 | Sep sun = 255.8 | Oct sun = 195.7 | Nov sun = 134.6 | Dec sun = 118.2 | Jan humidity = 66 | Feb humidity = 64 | Mar humidity = 66 | Apr humidity = 70 | May humidity = 71 | Jun humidity = 69 | Jul humidity = 62 | Aug humidity = 63 | Sep humidity = 66 | Oct humidity = 67 | Nov humidity = 69 | Dec humidity = 67 | source 1 = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/5.5/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Montenegro/CSV/Ulcinj_13464.csv |title = Ulcinj Climate Normals for 1991-2020 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |format = CSV |access-date = 15 September 2024}}</ref> | source 2 = Hydrological and Meteorological Service of Montenegro (humidity, sun 1961–1990)<ref name = HMSM>{{cite web |url = http://www.meteo.co.me/page.php?id=40 |title = Climate: Bar |publisher = Hydrological and Meteorological Service of Montenegro |access-date = 6 March 2021 |language = Montenegrin}}</ref><ref name = extremes>{{cite web |url = http://www.meteo.co.me/page.php?id=41 |title = Dnevni prosjeci i ekstremi |publisher = Hydrological and Meteorological Service of Montenegro |access-date = 6 March 2021 |language = Montenegrin}}</ref> }}
== Demographics == {{historical populations|1948|4385|1953|4919|1961|5705|1971|7459|1981|9140|1991|11144|2003|10828|2011|10707|2023|11488|align=right|cols=1|source=pop-stat.mashke.org<ref>{{cite web |title=Montenegro Census 2023|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/montenegro-census2023.htm|date=2024-04-15}}</ref>}}Ulcinj is the administrative centre of Ulcinj Municipality, which has a population of 21,395. The town of Ulcinj itself has a population of 11,488. Ulcinj Municipality is the centre of the Albanian community in Montenegro. It is one of two municipalities in Montenegro where Albanians form the majority with 70%, the other being Tuzi with a 68% majority.
{| class="wikitable" |- |{{Bar chart | title = Population of Ulcinj (municipality) by gender | data_max = 10,000 | label3 = Female | data3 = 9,983 | comment3 = 50.11% | label4 = Male | data4 = 9,938 | comment4 = 49.89% }} |{{Bar chart | title = Population of Ulcinj (town) by gender | data_max = 5500 | label3 = Female | data3 = 5,441 | comment3 = 50.82% | label4 = Male | data4 = 5,266 | comment4 = 49.18% }} |}
=== Ethnicity, language and religion === The majority ethnic group in Ulcinj are Albanians. The largest spoken language is Albanian.
'''Population by ethnicity (2011 census):''' {| class="wikitable" |- |{{bar box |width=300px |title=Population of Ulcinj (municipality) by ethnicity |titlebar=#ddd |bars= {{bar percent|Albanians|yellow|70.66}} {{bar percent|Montenegrins|red|12.44}} {{bar percent|Bosniaks|lightgreen|6.12}} {{bar percent|Serbs|blue|5.75}} {{bar percent|Roma/Egyptians|brown|1.17}} {{bar percent|other|gray|3.86}} }} |{{bar box |width=300px |title=Population of Ulcinj (town) by ethnicity |titlebar=#ddd |bars= {{bar percent|Albanians|yellow|60.89}} {{bar percent|Montenegrins|red|17.07}} {{bar percent|Serbs|blue|8.54}} {{bar percent|Bosniaks|lightgreen|7.30}} {{bar percent|Roma/Egyptians|brown|2.12}} {{bar percent|other|gray|4.08}} }} |} '''Population by mother tongue (2011 census):''' {| class="wikitable" |- |{{bar box |width=300px |title=Population of Ulcinj (municipality) by mother tongue |titlebar=#ddd |bars= {{bar percent|Albanian|yellow|72.04}} {{bar percent|Serbian|blue|11.97}} {{bar percent|Montenegrin|red|10.73}} {{bar percent|Bosnian|lightgreen|1.04}} {{bar percent|other|gray|4.22}} }} |{{bar box |width=300px |title=Population of Ulcinj (town) by mother tongue |titlebar=#ddd |bars= {{bar percent|Albanian|yellow|62.29}} {{bar percent|Serbian|blue|18.18}} {{bar percent|Montenegrin|red|13.73}} {{bar percent|Bosnian|lightgreen|1.19}} {{bar percent|other|gray|4.61}} }} |} '''Population by religion (2011 census):''' {{Further|List of churches in Ulcinj}} {| class="wikitable" |- |{{bar box |width=300px |title=Population of Ulcinj (municipality) by religion |titlebar=#ddd |bars= {{bar percent|Muslims|green|71.82}} {{bar percent|Orthodox|blue|14.88}} {{bar percent|Catholics|red|11.02}} {{bar percent|other|gray|2.28}} }} |{{bar box |width=300px |title=Population of Ulcinj (town) by religion |titlebar=#ddd |bars= {{bar percent|Muslims|green|68.15}} {{bar percent|Orthodox|blue|22.65}} {{bar percent|Catholics|red|6.45}} {{bar percent|other|gray|2.75}} }} |}
== Tourism == [[File:Ulcinj old town.jpg|left|thumb|The old town of Ulcinj]] Ulcinj is a tourist destination in summer. In January 2010, the New York Times named ranked the south coast region of Montenegro, featuring Velika Plaza, Ada Bojana, and the Hotel Mediteran, as one of "The Top 31 Places to Go in 2010".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Williams |first=Gisela |date=7 January 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?pagewanted=2&ref=travel |title=The 31 Places to Go in 2010: 24. Montenegro |newspaper=New York Times}}</ref>
Although Ulcinj is still undiscovered by many travelers from larger countries, repeat tourists and an increasing number of first-time visitors make it a hot spot for vacationers between the months of May and September. It is most famous for its sandy beaches.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} The most valuable resource of the Ulcinj riviera is Velika plaža ({{Langx|sq|Plazha e Madhe|lit=The Big Beach}}), which is a {{convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} long stretch of sandy beach and the longest beach on the Montenegrin coast. There is a small pebble beach called Ladies Beach which folk tradition holds to have qualities conducive to fertility.
There is also a beach called ''Mala Plaža'' ({{Langx|sq|Plazhi i Vogël|lit=Small Beach}}) which is much smaller in size, but is located in the centre of town and very popular with visitors. "The Korzo", as it is called by locals, is a promenade which separates a street lined with coffee shops from Mala plaža. At night during the summer months, the Korzo is pedestrianised and families and young people gather. There are many more less known smaller beaches that serve as get-aways from the main tourist areas. Ulcinj has also a large number of religious buildings like mosques, türbes and churches, including Pasha's Mosque, Sailors' Mosque and St. Nicholas' Church.
Ulcinj's old town is a well preserved citadel surviving from medieval times. The old town sits atop a rocky bluff overlooking the shore and is being rapidly restored as a tourist centre. Ada Bojana is popular among foreign tourists from Western Europe for its peace and atmosphere.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} A large naturist campsite is located in Ada Bojana. Lake Šas and Ulcinj's salt pond are visited by birdwatchers, because Ulcinj and its surroundings are major resting points for over 200 bird species on their migration paths. There are numerous cafés, discos, and bars that dot the city that are usually filled to capacity throughout the summer. The majority of tourists that visit Ulcinj are Albanians, Serbians, Croatians, Bosnians, Slovenians, Macedonians, Russians, Ukrainians, and other Europeans. {{wide image|Montenegrin South Coast banner.jpg|1000px|Ulcinj Panorama}}
== Education == {| class="wikitable" |- !align="center" | Montenegrin name !align="center" | Albanian name !align="center" | Location !align="center" | Language(s) |- |align="left" colspan=4 |'''Elementary schools''' |- |Osnovna škola ''"Boško Strugar"'' |Shkolla Fillore ''"Boshko Strugar"'' |Ulcinj | Montenegrin & Albanian |- |Osnovna škola ''"Maršal Tito"'' |Shkolla Fillore ''"Marshal Tito"'' |Ulcinj | Montenegrin & Albanian |- |Osnovna škola ''"Bedri Elezaga"'' |Shkolla Fillore ''"Bedri Elezaga"'' |Vladimir | Albanian |- |Osnovna škola ''"Marko Nuculović"'' |Shkolla Fillore ''"Mark Nuculloviq"'' |Donji Štoj | Montenegrin & Albanian |- |align="left" colspan=4 |'''High schools''' |- |Srednja mješovita škola ''"Bratstvo i jedinstvo"'' |Shkolla e Mesme e Kombinuar ''"Vëllazërim Bashkim"'' |Ulcinj | Montenegrin & Albanian |- |Gimnazija ''"Drita"'' |Gjimnazi ''"Drita"'' |Ulcinj |Albanian |}
== Sports and recreation== Ulcinj's southern coast is well known for its active sports, recreation possibilities and hunting. Kitesurfing at Ada Bojana, all manner of water sports at Velika plaža, scuba diving among wrecks and sunken cities, mountain biking, hiking, orienteering, cycling through the olive groves at Valdanos, long walks along the pristine beaches of the south coast of Montenegro, even deep sea fishing on the Adriatic, lake fishing at Lake Skadar, and river fishing in Ada Bojana, Due to the fact that the favorable habitat for wild life, has excellent conditions of hunting tourism. This place is the haven of ornithological (gourmand) hunting in Reč and Shenkol most common wildlife are woodcock, hare, wild boar, and ducks.
'''List of sport clubs in Ulcinj:''' {| class="wikitable" |- !align="center" colspan=2|Name !align="center" rowspan=2| Sport !align="center" rowspan=2| Competing !align="center" rowspan=2| Founded |- !align="center" | Montenegrin name !align="center" | Albanian name |- |Fudbalski klub ''"Otrant-Olympic"'' |Klubi Fudbolistik ''"Otrant-Olympic"'' |Football |Montenegrin Second League |1921 |- |Košarkaški klub ''"Ulcinj"'' |Klubi i Basketbollit ''"Ulcinj"'' |Basketball |Montenegrin Basketball League |1976 |- |RK Ulcinj |Klubi i Hendbollit ''"Ulcinj"'' |Handball |Montenegrin First League of Men's Handball | |- |Teniski klub ''"Bellevue"'' |Klubi i Tenisit ''"Bellevue"'' |Tennis | |2009 |- |Omladinski fudbalski klub ''"Federal"'' |Klubi Futbolistik Rinor ''"Federall"'' |Football |South Region League |2007 |- |Karate klub ''"Champions"'' |Klubi i Karates ''"Champions"'' |Karate | | |- |Karate Klub ''"Ulcinj"'' |Klubi i Karates ''"Ulqini"'' |Karate | | |- |Stonoteniski Klub ''"Valdanos"'' |Klubi i Ping Pongut ''"Valdanos"'' |Table Tennis |Cadet, Junior, Senior Montenegrin League |2012 |}
== Transport == thumb|Community Health Centre in Ulcinj Ulcinj is connected with the rest of Montenegro by a two-lane highway. It is connected with other coastal towns by the Adriatic Highway. Reaching inland is made possible by detouring from the Adriatic Highway at Budva or Sutomore (through the Sozina Tunnel).
Plans have been floated for the construction of an international airport to serve Ulcinj, with leisure conglomerate TUI expressing interest, however Ulcinj currently only has a small airfield with a 760 m grass runway.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-06-10 |title=U Ulcinju predviđen aerodrom |url=https://bankar.me/u-ulcinju-predviden-aerodrom/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=bankar.me |language=cnr-ME}}</ref> Nearby airports in Tivat and Podgorica are both around {{convert|70|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. There are regular flights to Belgrade and Zürich from Tivat. Podgorica Airport has regular flights to major European destinations throughout the year. Many tourists traveling to Ulcinj from abroad arrive to the city from the airport in Tivat due to its recent renovations and general ease of navigation. There are also intercity buses that connect to other towns in the country and buses that go to Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece, and Germany (during tourist seasons) as well Flixbus operates in this area connecting to Shkoder and Tirana at the moment.
== International relations == {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Montenegro}}
Ulcinj is a founding member of the Union of Albanian Municipalities in the Region.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Unioni i Bashkive Shqiptare (UBSHR) |title=Zyrtarizohet UBSHR, mbledh Konferencën e parë |url=https://ubshr.tirana.al/mbahet-konferenca-e-pare-e-unionit-te-bashkive-dhe-komunave-shqiptare-ne-rajon/ |access-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002190614/https://ubshr.tirana.al/mbahet-konferenca-e-pare-e-unionit-te-bashkive-dhe-komunave-shqiptare-ne-rajon/ |archive-date=2 October 2021 |language=sq |date=21 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=University for Business and Technology (UBT) |title=Politikat Lokale – Bashk olitikat Lokale – Bashkëpunimi Ndërkomunal në K ëpunimi Ndërkomunal në Kosovë |url=https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1025&context=etd |access-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812094056/https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1025&context=etd |archive-date=12 August 2021 |page=42 |language=sq |url-status=live}}</ref> Ulcinj is twinned with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Bratimljenje|url=http://www.uom.co.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bratimljenje-m2-3.pdf|website=database.uom.me|publisher=Zajednica opština Crne Gore|page=53|language=cnr|date=January 2013|access-date=2021-07-07|archive-date=2015-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092613/http://www.uom.co.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bratimljenje-m2-3.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *{{flagicon|ALB}} Berat, Albania *{{flagicon|KOS}} Deçan, Kosovo<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 July 2015|title=Vendim për binjakëzimin e Komunës së Decanit me Komunën e Ulqinit|trans-title=Decision on the twinning of the Municipality of Decani with the Municipality of Ulcinj|url=https://kk.rks-gov.net/decan/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/20186120.pdf|publisher=Deçan Municipality|language=sq}}</ref> *{{flagicon|AUT}} Liesing (Vienna), Austria *{{flagicon|BIH}} Lukavac, Bosnia and Herzegovina<ref>{{cite web|title="Bratimljenje" Lukavca i Ulcinja od posebne važnosti za privrednu saradnju|url=https://opcina.lukavac.ba/saradnja-opcina-lukavac-i-ulcinj/|website=opcina.lukavac.ba|publisher=Lukavac|language=bs|date=2015-05-12|access-date=2021-07-07|archive-date=2021-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115161403/https://opcina.lukavac.ba/saradnja-opcina-lukavac-i-ulcinj/|url-status=dead}}</ref> *{{flagicon|TUR}} Serik, Turkey<ref>{{cite web |title=Ceremonia në Serik: Nënshkruhet protokolli për binjakëzim|url=http://ul-info.com/ceremonia-ne-serik-nenshkruhet-protokolli-per-binjakezim/|website=ul-info.com|publisher=UL Info|language=sq|date=2014-09-05|access-date=2021-07-07}}</ref> <!--Stamford - not twinning--> *{{flagicon|BIH}} Stari Grad (Sarajevo), Bosnia and Herzegovina *{{flagicon|USA}} Staten Island, USA<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porpora |first1=Tracey |title=Did you know Staten Island now has a sister city across the globe? |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2024/02/did-you-know-staten-island-now-has-a-sister-city-across-the-globe.html |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=New Haven Independent |date=3 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref> *{{flagicon|UKR}} Uzhhorod, Ukraine {{div col end}}
===Cooperation and friendship=== Ulcinj also cooperates with: *{{flagicon|ALB}} Durrës, Albania
==Notable people== *Đurađ II Balšić, Lord of Zeta from 1385 to 1403, member of the Balšić noble family. *Dritan Abazović, Prime Minister of Montenegro *Jelena Balšić, daughter of Lazar of Serbia, author of Gorički zbornik, first woman writer in South Slavs *Gjon Buzuku, Catholic priest who wrote the first known printed book in Albanian *Cafo Beg Ulqini, First Albanian born Mayor of the Ulcinj Municipality, Regent of the Albanian Kingdom, Leader of Second League of Prizren and Knight of the Order of Skanderbeg<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visit-ulcinj.com/blog/2016/04/20/nishani-dekoron-cafo-beg-ulqinin-titullin-kalores-urdhrit-te-skenderbeut/|title=Nishani dekoron Cafo Beg Ulqinin me Titullin "Kalorës i Urdhrit të Skënderbeut" - Video|work=Lajme nga Ulqini |date=20 April 2016}}</ref> *Pjetër Gjoka, actor and People's Artist of Albania *Rizo Šurla, photographer, and actor of African descent *John VIII or Giovanni Bruni, archbishop of Bar (1551–1571) *Adrian Lulgjuraj, Montenegrin-Albanian singer *Alex Rudaj, Albanian-American mobster *Lika Ceni, Captain and Pirate Commander *Rade Tovladijac, Serbian comic book artist *Mark Gjonaj, Albanian-American politician *Mujo Ulqinaku, Albanian officer and a People's Hero of Albania *Sabbatai Zevi, İzmir born mystic, founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement *Andrej Nikolaidis, writer *Božidar Đurašković, athlete *Vladimir Mihailović, basketball player * Gazmend Çitaku is an Albanian Montenegrin photographer, publisher, and librarian * {{ill|Miodrag Bata Kostić|sr}}, Serbian musician
== Bibliography == ===Notes=== {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
===References=== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Tivat}} *[https://www.ul-gov.me/me Opština Ulcinj] *[https://ulcinj.travel/ Tourist Organization of Ulcinj] *[https://www.weather-in-ulcinj.com/ Weather in Ulcinj]
===Sources=== *{{cite journal |last1=Poláčková |first1=Zuzana |last2=Van Duin |first2=Peter |title=Montenegro Old and New: History, Politics, Culture, and the People |journal=Studia Politica Slovaca |date=2013 |volume=VI |issue=1 |url=https://www.sav.sk/journals/uploads/04241525SPS_1_2013_Z%20Polackova_P%20van%20Duin.pdf}}
{{Ulcinj}} {{MontenegroCities}} {{Illyrians}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulcinj}} Category:Ulcinj Category:Populated places in Ulcinj Municipality Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Montenegro Category:Illyrian Montenegro Category:Cities in ancient Illyria Category:Greek colonies in Illyria Category:Gegëri Category:Albanian communities in Montenegro Category:Former capitals of Albania