fortress of bashtova
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Discover the Fortress of Bashtova

The only in the Balkans built in the field

If you visit Durrss and want to discover more by bike, do not forget to visit the Castle of Bashtova, maybe enjoy a party or concert there. But not only that, this fortress carries historical values.

 

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Set up near the village of Vila-Bashtova at a distance of 2-3 miles (3-4 km), north of the mouth of the Shkumbin River, from the castle walls you can observe the coast in the palm of your hand, from the Bay of Durres to Divjaka and Karavasta.

 

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For the first time, the castle is encountered on a naval map of 1521.The castle was built in the 15th century and served the Venetians for trade exchanges. The Bashtova area is mentioned as a river port in Shkumbin as well as a grain export center.

 

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The castle has a quadrangular shape with dimensions of 196ft by 295 ft (60 × 90 meters). Its western part was rebuilt in the 18th century. Its walls have a height of about 30 ft (9 meters). It is thought that this castle had two floors, where one of its floors is sunken below the ground.

Bashtova Castle is a valuable cultural monument that you will find only a few miles outside of Kavaja and that testifies to the traces of civilization after civilization. What makes Bashtova special compared to other castles that can be visited in Albania is the fact that it is the only castle built in a field and not at the top of hills or mountains.

 

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