1- Kruja Castle
The Albanian stronghold of Kruja, 35km from Tirana, is closely related to the heroism and resistance of national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu and to its fortress that dominates the Albanian Western Lowlands. Built on a strategic point, the castle resisted the Ottoman invaders in three sieges during the 15th century. The Ottomans would capture the castle only after the death of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu. The castle has an elliptic shape and it is found on a rugged hilly terrain and it covers an area of 2.5 hectares. Due to the presence of a water spring within its walls, the castle never suffered from the lack of water supply. Kruja Castle is one of the top tourist destinations in Albania because of its historic importance and other important factors such as the picturesque landscape and the view over the Adriatic Sea.
2-Berati Castle
Berati Castle, located in one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania, is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. The number of visitor’s especially international tourists has increased. Berat Castle also is known as Kala, is located on the right side of Osumi River and it is home to the ancient city of Antipatrea, which dates back to the seventh-fifth centuries B.C. According to the data provided by DRKK Berat, Antipatrea is one of the most beautiful and important sites in Albania and the increased number of visitors confirms this fact. The castle of Berat has gone through different historic stages such as the Illyrian, Byzantine, the feudal principalities, the Ottoman invasion periods. A special fact about the castle is that has 24 towers.
3-Shkodra Castle
Rozafa Castle is one of the main historic tourist attractions in Northern Albania. People from all over the country and international tourists that travel to Shkodra don’t miss the chance to explore this site that preserves traces from different historical periods starting with Balsha Dynasty, the Venetian and Ottoman periods, and the House of Bushati. The castle dates back to the Illyrian times. Besides the picturesque view, Rozafa Castle is associated with a famous legend about a woman who was buried in the foundation of the castle, and here it goes: “Its legend, archeology, and history testify to its early existence. The legend is about the initiative of three brothers who set about building the castle. They worked all day, but the walls fell down at night. They met a clever old man who advised them to sacrifice someone so that the walls would stand. The three brothers found it difficult to decide whom to sacrifice. Finally, they decided to sacrifice one of their wives who would bring lunch to them the next day. So they agreed that whichever of their wives was the one to bring them lunch the next day was the one who would be buried in the wall of the castle. They also promised not to tell their wives of this. The two older brothers, however, explained the situation to their wives that night, while the honest youngest brother said nothing.
The next afternoon at lunchtime, the brothers waited anxiously to see which wife was carrying the basket of food. It was Rozafa, the wife of the youngest brother. He explained to her what the deal was, that she was to be sacrificed and buried in the wall of the castle so that they could finish building it, and she didn’t protest.Rozafa, who was predestined to be walled, was worried about her infant son, so she accepted being walled on condition that they must leave her right breast exposed so as to feed her newborn son, her right hand to caress him and her right foot to rock his cradle:
I plead
When you wall me
Leave my right eye exposed
Leave my right hand exposed
Leave my right foot exposed
For the sake of my newborn son
So that when he starts crying
Let me see him with one eye
Let me caress him with one hand
Let me feed him with one breast
Let me rock his cradle with one foot
May the castle breast be walled
May the castle rise strong
May my son be happy.
4-Gjirokastra Castle
“Gjirokastra, in the Drinos river valley in southern Albania, features a series of outstanding two-story houses which were developed in the 17th century. The town also retains a bazaar, an 18th-century mosque and two churches of the same period,” UNESCO says on its description about the city.
Yet, the castle is the most impressive building that a first time visitor may see not only in Gjirokastra but in the entire country. It is also known as the city of Argjiro. She was the sister of the city lord. According to the legend, when the Ottoman troops surrounded the city, the princess together with her son jumped from the castle walls. This is a popular explanation of the city’s name. However, historians say that the name of Gjirokastra dates back to earlier centuries. Some linguists say that it is related to the typical gray color of the city. The castle had a military function. It was during the Middle Ages that the city expanded further the castle walls.
The city flourished during the period of Ali Pasha Tepelena, who invested in major infrastructural works such as the aqueduct of Gjirokastra. A 12km long water supply structure that was destroyed during the 30s. The aqueduct was depicted in the paintings of Edward Lear. The city developed into an important cultural and economic area.
5-Porto Palermo
When you travel from Himara to Qeparo or vice-versa, is impossible not to notice the castle at Porto Palermo Bay also known as Panorama Bay. It is located 228km away from Tirana via Llogara Pass. The beautiful castle that overlooks the Ionian Sea was a gift of love from Ali Pasha Tepelena, also known as Ali Pasha of Ioannina to his beloved wife Vasiliqia. Others say that the castle can be hiding place of Ali’s famous treasure, one of the most thrilling and unresolved mysteries of our history. The legend mentions about 40 tons of pure gold and precious gems. It seems that the Pasha of Ioannina had a treasure worthy of his reputation.
“He has the appearance of anything but his real character, for he is a remorseless tyrant, guilty of the most horrible cruelties, very brave and so good a general, that they call him the Mahometan Buonaparte.” Lord Byron, Letters from Albania
The castle is located on a small island that connects to the coast through a 30 meters narrow strip of land and rocks. It has a triangular shape with three bastions while the entrance is found on the southern wall. The castle is mentioned in numerous writings and books about Ali Pasha Tepelena. It was built by Petro Permetari and an Italian architect. The name of Porto Palermo was chosen by the Italian soldiers, who said it reminded them of their city of Palermo. People say that a scripture saying: “I Ali, the great pasha, built this castle.”
Over 300 meters away from the castle, by the roadside, it is located a church that Ali also built for his wife. The legend says that the church was built by the Italian architect upon Ali’s request. When the architect completed the construction project and asked for his payment, the Pasha told him that he would receive it only if the church was strong enough to resist cannon projectiles. He closed the Italian architect within the church and began to fire round shots. Fortunately, it was strong enough to stand and Ali was sure that his wife would be safe in case of a possible attack.
