Castles and Fortresses to Visit in Albania
Albania has over 158 incredible castles and fortresses scattered across its rugged terrain, offering a fascinating journey through time for history buffs and anyone who loves old buildings. These sites give us a clear picture of Albania’s eventful past, filled with invasions, battles, and fights for control. Let’s take a look at some of the most amazing castles and fortresses to visit in Albania.
From ancient forts on hills built by the Illyrians to medieval castles and forts built during the Ottoman period, Albania’s castles and fortresses are not just old buildings—they’re important parts of our history and culture.
Read also: Best Things to do in Albania in 2024
10 Castles and Fortresses to Visit in Albania
#1. Krujë Castle
Krujë Castle, in Albania, is a significant and impressive fortress. Located atop a tall hill in Krujë town, it dates back to the 5th century AD. Initially constructed as a fort by the Illyrians, it expanded during the Middle Ages. Skanderbeg, an Albanian hero, made it famous in the 15th century, battling the Ottoman Empire from its walls. For castle enthusiasts exploring Albania, Krujë Castle holds immense historical value and is a must-visit site.
Skanderbeg defended Albania from Ottomans at this castle for years. Now, it’s a big area with a museum displaying his era’s items. You’ll find ruins of a church, mosque, and clock tower there too. The castle’s sturdy walls wrap around the hill, making it tough for enemies to invade. Krujë Castle stands tall as Albania’s symbol of freedom and power.
#2. Berat Castle
Berat, located by the Osum River, has a grand fortress called Berat Castle, making it one of the notable castles and fortresses to visit in Albania. It’s nicknamed the “City of a Thousand Windows” because of its special design and the way it was built to protect the area. The castle was first built in the 4th century BC by the Illyrians. It was put on a rocky hill to watch over the river valley. Later, the Byzantines made the castle bigger and stronger in the 13th century, and then the Ottomans did more work on it in the 15th century.
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Inside the castle, there’s a quaint old town with churches, mosques, houses, and other buildings clustered closely. Berat Castle is renowned for its white buildings on the hillside, each adorned with unique windows of varying sizes and shapes, blending Christian and Muslim influences. Visitors can stroll through the historic streets and explore the Onufri Museum, showcasing ancient art from the Byzantine era.
#3. Gjirokastër Fortress
Gjirokastër is a city that’s like a big outdoor museum. It has lots of old buildings from the time of the Ottomans. There are houses, shops, churches, and a big fortress on a hill. This fortress is ancient, from the 12th century. It got its current look in the 1800s when it was renovated. The fortress sits in a strategic spot overlooking the Drino Valley. This location was chosen wisely by the Albanians to defend against attacks.
Inside the fortress, there’s a new tunnel from the Cold War era that used to be a secret bunker, and a museum with old weapons from Albania’s history.
Read also: Best Things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania (Guide 2024)
#4. Rozafa Castle
The old fortress of Rozafa overlooks Shkodër. Illyrians built it long ago for safety. Romans made it bigger after defeating Illyrians. Byzantines and Venetians ruled it too. Ottomans controlled it for 500 years. The castle has walls, tanks, terraces, and a church.
It’s named after Rozafa, a legendary figure who was sealed inside the walls to finish building the castle, as an offering to the gods. This story is very important in Albanian culture and stories. Today, people can visit Rozafa, see amazing views from the walls, and learn about old things found there that show how long people have been using the site.
#5. Bashtovë Fortress
The Bashtovë Fortress from the early 1400s exemplifies the intriguing castles and fortresses to visit in Albania, showcasing how these structures were meticulously designed for protection. It served as a significant fortification until the Ottomans seized control in 1417. This castle boasts three concentric walls: the outer walls safeguarded farmers and livestock, while the inner walls shielded esteemed individuals such as nobles and rulers.
People who visit can see parts of an old chapel, water storage areas, and where people used to live. Archaeologists have found old dishes, tools, jewelry, weapons, and coins, which tell us about life there long ago. The fortress overlooks the plains and the Adriatic Sea.
#6. Porto Palermo Castle
In southern Albania, by the Ionian Sea, there’s a castle called Porto Palermo that looks like a neat triangle. The castle was built in the early 1800s by Ali Pasha of Tepelena, a powerful ruler in Ottoman Albania. Ali Pasha controlled a large part of southern and central Albania on his own terms.
In the castle, visitors can see Ali Pasha’s private bath and bunkers built by the British in World War II. Outside, there’s a nice pebble beach for swimming and sunbathing with a view of the castle. Porto Palermo also has an Orthodox Church from the 1800s, attracting tourists to the Albanian Riviera.
#7. Rodoni Castle
Rodoni Castle, located north of Durrës, stands on a piece of land jutting into the Adriatic Sea. Its origins trace back to ancient times when the Illyrians constructed its first walls and towers around the 4th century BCE. Positioned strategically, the castle overlooks a significant sea route. Throughout history, it was held by the Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians, each contributing to its fortification. The castle’s prominent features include a triangular keep with towering 50-foot walls and numerous defensive towers added by the Venetians in the 16th century.
Some outer walls and towers remain, displaying various architectural styles from the castle’s history. Archaeologists found Illyrian walls and traces of early Christian activity during digs there. Dominating this narrow water passage has been crucial for influential groups in the region.
#8. Lëkurësi Castle
Lëkurësi Castle stands in southern Albania near the sea. It was built to defend against Western powers, such as those in Corfu and southern Italy. The castle has a rectangular shape with high walls and towers at its corners. Inside, there are various military buildings, including a mosque, water storage, barracks, and gunpowder storage rooms.
People found secret tunnels, pottery, jewelry, and coins when they dug there. Two miles away lies Butrint, an ancient city’s ruins. It was controlled by the Ottomans when they built the castle. Lëkurësi Castle offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and Albania’s coastline.
#9. Lezhë Castle
Around 2,800 years ago, the first parts of Lezhë Castle were built in an old town called Lezhë, in northwest Albania. It was constructed by the Illyrians, who lived there. They chose this spot because it overlooked the hilly land and the Drin River Valley, making it ideal for a fortress. Later, during the Middle Ages under the Byzantine Empire, the castle was expanded and became known as the “Red Castle.”
Within the castle walls are the remains of an old church, defenses, and discoveries such as tombs and pottery, displaying over 2,000 years of history. Lezhë Castle was a crucial medieval center because of its political and trade value. Today, it’s a tourist spot providing great views and insights into its historical importance.
#10. Petrelë Castle
Perched on a rocky hill in central Albania, Petrelë Castle is a striking example of medieval defense architecture. In the 14th century, an Albanian noble named Petrela expanded and strengthened the castle, showing how important and prosperous the area was becoming. The castle has big walls that follow the hill’s shape and has round towers.
At Petrelë Castle, you can explore ruins like a chapel, army buildings, and noble homes. From the castle’s peak, enjoy a panoramic view of the Erzen Valley. In medieval times, Albanian leaders and nobles vied for control here. Today, the well-preserved castle offers insight into ancient life. It reveals Albania’s growth in the Middle Ages.
Read also: Entry and Visa Requirements for Tourists Visiting Albania
Other Notable Castles to Visit in Albania
In addition to the big castles and forts we talked about earlier, Albania has many other old forts and strongholds to explore and understand the country’s rich history. They range from ancient Illyrian settlements on hills to Orthodox castles and Ottoman forts. These forts show how Albania was at a crossroads where history and empires met.
Other Fortresses to Visit in Albania
- Venetian Triangular Castle: A small fort made by the Venetians in the 1500s near Durrës port. It has a unique triangle shape with round towers.
- Dorëzi Fortress: Ruins of an ancient Illyrian settlement from the 4th century BCE in southeast Albania, offering mountain views.
- Drisht Castle: A mountaintop castle from the early Middle Ages in northern Albania, providing visibility across the terrain.
- Kardhiq Castle: A ruined Ottoman-era fortress near Kavajë in west-central Albania, featuring remnants of towers, walls, and a mosque.
- Margëlliç Castle: A ruined medieval fortress on a hill in southeast Albania, originally built in the 5th century.
- Tirana Fortress: Built in the early 1500s to protect Tirana, with sections of stone walls, towers, and gates still standing.
- Gjon Boçari Castle: A ruined hilltop fortress near Sarandë from the early 1800s, controlling a coastal area.
- Kelcyre Castle: A small medieval fortress on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Vjosa River in southern Albania.
Each of these castles and forts tells a story about Albania’s past and the people who lived there centuries ago.
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