Albania is full of history, and castles are a true testament of that. Today, we’re introducing you to 13 most interesting castles of the country in which you will find museums, churches, observation towers, narrow and stone alleys, even accommodation structures and bars and restaurants.

These castles have not been forgotten but are functional today, just as beautiful but more importantly, more peaceful than ever. From the magic of the Castle of Tirana to the Lëkurës of Saranda, note down these attractions and we assure you will not regret. Each of them is unique and a true gem of our culture.

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Shkodra Castle – Rozafa

It rises on a rocky hill west of the city of Shkodra surrounded by the rivers Buna, Drin and Kir. The construction of the castle with cyclopean stones placed without mortar began in the middle of the V-IV century BC. At this time the city underwent a great boost of development and as a fact for this progress is the currency used as early as230 p.e.s. The city at this time is called Scodrinon. In 181 p.e.s the city becomes the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom with King Genti at the head. In this period the city was located in the southern part of the hill, surrounded by walls and entrance gates while on the hill where the castle stands today was built the Illyrian Acropolis.

Kruja Castle

Built during 1190, in Kruja, this city that had later become the capital of the first autonomous Albanian state in the Middle Ages. This elliptical castle with a perimeter of 804 meters, occupies an area of 2.5 hectares of land and is built on a rocky hill. Within the territory of the castle, an underground spring flows into the rock, which emerges at the foot of its eastern wall. This well, which is still used today in a fountain, has been surrounded by a system of walls and towers. This was also the reason for naming this city Kruja and then the castle “Kruja Castle”

Tirana Castle

In the center of Tirana, there are the walls of the Tirana Castle, and as it goes out there are castles in almost every direction. Tirana Castle, or Justinian Fortress is the only castle located in the heart of Tirana. The fort is the place where the main roads of East-West and North-South intersected, and formed the heart of Tirana.It dates back to 1300, is 6 meters high and belongs to the Byzantine period. Tirana Castle is near Skanderbeg Square in the center of Tirana. The foundations of the recently discovered walls are included in the pedestrian street Murat Toptani. The castle is open to visitors since December 2018.

Bashtova Castle

Bashtova Castle is located only 400m from the northeastern border of Divjaka-Karavasta National Park. The special feature of this castle is that it is the only castle in the Balkans built on the plain. Located near the mouth of the river Shkumbin in the XV century. , it has served theVenetians for trade exchanges.The Bashtova area is mentioned as a river port in Shkumbin as well as a grain export center. The castle was 2-storey, where one floor is sunk below ground level.

Berat Castle, Antipatrea

It is the most ancient monumentof the city, with an area of 9.6 ha, which rises on a hill 187 m high, rebuilt several times during periods of history. It is located in the upper part of the city and has highsurrounding walls separated by 24 towers of different shapes and dimensions, built in different periods. In the Byzantine period the castle was on the list of Justinian fortifications. At the top of the castle there is also an acropolis surrounded by walls, inside which are the remains of a military garrison, the remains of the palaces of the Pasha and the White Mosque in the Ottoman period. Its special feature is that it is a still inhabited area, where you can be accommodated, and enjoy bars and restaurants.

Durrës Castle

The castle was built by the emperor of the Byzantine Empire Anastasi who originated from Durrës. At that time, Anastasius made Durrës one of the most fortified cities on the Adriatic. Repairs to the walls have been carried out since the devastating earthquake of 1273. The Venetian Tower is part of the Byzantine fortress of Durrës, which in the Middle Ages is considered one of the most powerful fortresses on the west coast of the Adriatic. In the first half of the 15th century when Durres was under the occupation of Venice, the tower was rebuilt and took on its present appearance.

Elbasan Castle

The castle of Elbasan, together with its surrounding walls, clearly show the military importance of the city of Elbasanduring the Ottoman period. It has the shape of a right quadrangle and its four corners are fortified with powerful towers. But like many other castles in Albania, the Castle of Elbasan, with the exception of the Southern wall and part of the Western wall,the other walls are almost completely destroyed. Documents prove that this castle, at the time of its flourishing had 26 towers, of which today are preserved only 8. 6 towers are in its southern wall and 2 towers are in the western wall. From continuous studies over decades, 3 periods of construction of the Elbasan Castle have been identified:

1. Late antiquity
2. Early Byzantium
3. Medieval

In this fortress of the city, through the Castle of Elbasan, there was also ‘Via Egnatia’, the road that was used by the Roman Empire.

Preza Castle

In addition to the historical values, from Preza Castle to offer a wonderful view of the plains of Tirana. The castle is close to Mother Teresa International Airport. It is a small castle, but bigger than Petrela Castle. Construction of the castle began in the 14th century and was completed in the early 15th century. It belonged to the feudal Topias family. This fortress has been declared a Cultural Monument protected by the state. A restaurant with traditional cuisine and some other services are offered inside the castle as well as a large green square where you can play or have a picnic.

Petrela Castle

Petrela Castle is a fantastic old castle located only 17 km away from Tirana. Petrela Castle has a rich history dating back to the 6th century BC. But even though it was built in ancient times, this building that is today has a history in the 15th century. During Skanderbeg’s wars against the Ottomans, Petrela Castle was placed under the command of Mamica Kastriot, Skanderbeg’s sister. Today there is a restaurant inthe castle that is very frequented. The castle offers a spectacular view of the Erzeni Valley, the surrounding hills, olive groves and mountains.

Gjirokastra Castle

Gjirokastra Castle is one of the largest in the Balkans. Like a large stone ship, it spans an area of 335 meters. It is located on a hill overlooking the entire city. Archaeological discoveries in the castle area, show that this place has been lived since the IV-V century. According to historians the first walls of this fortification may have been built after the fall of Hadrianopolis. But the first walls of the town were built in the 12th-13th century. The castle was originally built as a typical feudal property ofthe time, by wealthy families, who wanted to be safe and protected from various wars. Later it became an inhabited center for many other families. Inside the Castle besides the high walls, the Clock Tower, the Festival Stage, you can also see the Castle Museum, which includes a collection of weapons during the WW1 and WW2 , as well as the history of different periods of this Castle. There is also an American plane which has an interesting history.

Tepelena Castle

The castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena was listed as a cultural monument of the first category in 1963 and is located in the north of the city of Tepelena. the construction of the castle was supervised by Ali Pasha himself. The existing castle was rebuilt in 1819 with an area of 5.5 ha, with three entrances and three towers. Until 1820 it was used as the second residence of Ali Pasha. Except for the 3 polygonal towers that are erected at key points of the walls for a better control, the others are simply used as exit angles. The castle has three gates, one of which has an inscription: Vizier’s Gate.

Porto Palermo Castle

The small castle is located in a fairly beautiful position on a peninsula in the small tectonic bay of Porto Palermo (in antiquity known as the bay of Panormes). The castle is located on an island about 30 m from the shore where the narrow water belt between the shore and the island is filled with and stones to realize a land connection with it. The castle has a triangular planimetric shape with three strong bastions in the corners, a shape that distinguishes it from the others. It is one of the many mansions of the strategist Ali Pasha Tepelena, which he did not without purpose build at strategic points. But this castle stands between the sea and the legend. It was built by Ali Pasha asa gift for one of his wives, Vasiliqina, whom, according to the chroniclers of the time, the Pasha of Ioannina was very fond of.

Lëkurës Castle

Lëkurës Castle is located among the ruins of the village Leather abandoned in 1878, on top of a high hill that rises in the shape of a pyramid. Leather Castle held a garrison of about 200 soldiers and its construction belongs to the century. XVI, the possibility of its construction is the year 1537, when Sultan Sulejmani attacked Corfu and it was necessary to control the pier of Saranda and the Saranda-Butrint road, as the latter was attacked by the Venetians. Today you can visit it to see Saranda, because the view from it is fantastic day and night.

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Our Albania360 app makes it easy for everyone to discover hidden gems, explore 360 views of places before visiting, plan their meals & coffee dates, find perfect accommodations & book directly on the app, and much more!