Shasi një qendër e njohur mesjetare

Opis

Shas (also known in historical sources as Suacium, Svač, Soacia, among other variants) represents one of the most significant medieval centers in the wider region of Ulcinj and the Lake Shkodra basin. The site demonstrates a long continuity of settlement beginning in Illyrian antiquity and extending through the Roman, Byzantine, and medieval periods. The ruins of the city are located approximately 25 km northeast of Ulcinj, along the historic Bar–Shkodra route, occupying a strategic hilltop position overlooking Lake Shas. The urban layout closely follows the natural configuration of the terrain and is divided into the Upper Town (fortress) and the Lower Town, a characteristic feature of many medieval settlements in the region. Historical sources mention Shas in official documents as early as 1089, while its bishopric is attested at least from the eighth century. Together with Bar and Ulcinj, Shas formed part of the ecclesiastical organization of the region and belonged to the jurisdiction of the Metropolitanate of Durrës. Archaeological investigations, particularly those conducted in 1989, have confirmed a long cultural and settlement continuity, revealing material remains from the Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, and medieval periods. The discovery of a cultural layer dating to the sixth century supports the hypothesis that the northern fortification walls were constructed or reconstructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian. The fortress of Shas covered an area of approximatel