VENUE

Ulcinj, Montenegro — Where the Adriatic Meets Inspiration

CISS 2026 takes place in Ulcinj, directly on the Velika Plaža (Long Beach) — a twelve-kilometre stretch of sandy beach and the longest on the Montenegrin coast.

Founded in the 5th century BC, Ulcinj is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast. Its historic Old Town, perched on a rocky peninsula above the sea, is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and reflects centuries of Roman, Venetian, and Ottoman influence. Today, Ulcinj is the centre of the Albanian community in Montenegro — it is the only municipality in the country where ethnic Albanians form the majority, at around 70% of the population. The town has a distinctly multicultural character, with both Montenegrin and Albanian as official languages. Most of the population is Muslim, followed by Orthodox and Catholic communities. Visitors will notice bilingual street signs — Ulqin in Albanian alongside Ulcinj, or Plazhi i Madh instead of Velika Plaža.

Beyond the beach, Ulcinj offers a charming Old Town with cobblestone streets and panoramic sea views, the Ulcinj Salina — one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the Adriatic — and a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere that provides the perfect backdrop for an intensive week of academic exchange.