Castles in Albania

Castles & Forts

Albania's strategic location at the crossroads of empires is reflected in its diverse fortifications. These sites span from ancient Illyrian foundations to Byzantine city walls and expansive Ottoman citadels. Significant landmarks include Krujë Castle, the center of Skanderbeg’s 15th-century resistance, and the UNESCO-listed fortresses of Berat and Gjirokastër, which still house residential quarters. Coastal defenses like Porto Palermo and the Venetian Tower in Durrës showcase the influence of Mediterranean powers on the country's defensive architecture.

Castles & Forts — Map

Terfili / Public domain

A

Berat Castle

Berat Castle, also referred to as the Citadel of Berat and castle quarter, is a fortress overlooking the town of Berat, Albania.

Bdx / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Rozafa Castle

Rozafa Castle or Shkodër Castle is a castle near the city of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania.

Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Krujë Castle

The Krujë Castle is a castle in the city of Krujë, Albania and the center of Skanderbeg's rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

Marcin Konsek / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Gjirokastër Castle

Gjirokastër Castle is a fortress in Gjirokastër, Albania. Gjirokastër Castle is situated at a height of 336 metres.The castle dominates the…

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

E

Durrës Castle

Durrës Castle is the fortified old city of Durrës, Albania. It is enclosed by city walls built in the late 5th century, and repaired and…

Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Petrelë Castle

Petrelë Castle is a castle in Petrelë, central Albania. Its history dates back to the 6th century, when it was built by the Byzantine…

Michael Maltan / CC-BY-SA

G

Fortress of Bashtovë

A 15th-century rectangular Venetian fortress located on a plain near the Shkumbin River. It is one of the few Albanian fortifications not built on a hilltop, originally constructed to protect the river mouth and coastline.

H

Venetian Tower

A circular 15th-century fortification built by the Venetians atop the ruins of a Byzantine tower. It forms a key part of the ancient city walls of Durrës and served as a coastal defense point.

MirkoS18 / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Fortress of Justinian

Fortress of Justinian or simply known as Tirana Castle is a castle in Tirana, Albania.

InaMyrtollari / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Drisht Castle

Drisht Castle is a ruined castle above the modern Albanian village of Drisht, medieval Drivastum, in the municipal unit Postribë, Shkodër…

K

Lëkurësi Castle

Built in 1537 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent to control the port of Sarandë and the road to Butrint. The square fortress features two round corner towers and a strategic position overlooking the Ionian Sea.

Tori Oseku / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Porto Palermo Castle

Porto Palermo Castle is a castle near Himarë in southern Albania. It is situated in the bay of Porto Palermo, a few kilometers south of…

Arian Mavriqi / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

Ali Pasha Castle

Ali Pasha Castle is a castle in Albania. It is named after Ali Pasha of Tepelenë who resided there until 1820.

N

Delvinë Castle

A medieval hilltop fortress that served as a strategic administrative and defensive center in southern Albania during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

O

Kaninë Castle

Kaninë Castle is a castle in the village Kaninë near Vlorë, in southwestern Albania.

Other Lists

Albania Essentials Natural Wonders Historic Places of Worship Museums & Heritage Museums & Cultural Centers Archaeological Treasures