Krujë Castle

Krujë Castle

Krujë Castle, locally known as Kalaja e Krujës, lies in the town of the same name, in the county of Durrës in Albania.

The castle was built sometime during the 5th or 6th century by the Byzantine Empire, on a sloping plateau at an elevation of some 600 meters on the slope of Mount Krujë. It was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire around 1395.

The 15th century was a violent era for Krujë Castle. It was first taken from the Ottomans in 1407 by Niketa Thopia, who was an Albanian noble. They took it back in 1415. During the Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436, the city was unsuccessfully besieged by Andrea Thopia.

Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero, was governor of Krujë during 1437-38, when he was still in Ottoman service. After defecting, in 1443, he again took control over Krujë and raised the first Albanian flag here, incorporating it into the League of Lëzhë the next year. This led to the First Siege of Krujë by the Ottomans in 1450. They failed. The Ottomans tried again during the Second Siege of Krujë in 1466-67. The Albanians again managed to repel them, this time with Venetian help. Later in 1467 the Ottomans returned for the Third Siege of Krujë, in which they were defeated again. In 1478 the Ottomans returned for the final time for the Fourth Siege of Krujë, which lasted for a year. At the end, the weakened defenders surrendered, after which the Ottomans slaughtered all the men and took the women away as slaves.

At present what remains of Krujë Castle are mainly a ruined watch tower at the north side of the castle plateau, the main gate in the west walls and parts of some walls and towers at the southern side. The large building with a historical appearance next to the main gate was actually built in the early 1980s to house a museum; the "Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg National Museum". The tranquil castle precinct further houses a couple of restaurants and homestays.

Krujë Castle is freely accessible. The castle remains itself may not amount to much, but it offers magnificent views. It is nice to stroll around the cobbled streets there, and the Skanderbeg museum is also worth a visit. The old Ottoman bazaar in front of the castle is also very charming.

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Krujë Castle

Krujë Castle

Krujë Castle, locally known as Kalaja e Krujës, lies in the town of the same name, in the county of Durrës in Albania.

The castle was built sometime during the 5th or 6th century by the Byzantine Empire, on a sloping plateau at an elevation of some 600 meters on the slope of Mount Krujë. It was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire around 1395.

The 15th century was a violent era for Krujë Castle. It was first taken from the Ottomans in 1407 by Niketa Thopia, who was an Albanian noble. They took it back in 1415. During the Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436, the city was unsuccessfully besieged by Andrea Thopia.

Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero, was governor of Krujë during 1437-38, when he was still in Ottoman service. After defecting, in 1443, he again took control over Krujë and raised the first Albanian flag here, incorporating it into the League of Lëzhë the next year. This led to the First Siege of Krujë by the Ottomans in 1450. They failed. The Ottomans tried again during the Second Siege of Krujë in 1466-67. The Albanians again managed to repel them, this time with Venetian help. Later in 1467 the Ottomans returned for the Third Siege of Krujë, in which they were defeated again. In 1478 the Ottomans returned for the final time for the Fourth Siege of Krujë, which lasted for a year. At the end, the weakened defenders surrendered, after which the Ottomans slaughtered all the men and took the women away as slaves.

At present what remains of Krujë Castle are mainly a ruined watch tower at the north side of the castle plateau, the main gate in the west walls and parts of some walls and towers at the southern side. The large building with a historical appearance next to the main gate was actually built in the early 1980s to house a museum; the "Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg National Museum". The tranquil castle precinct further houses a couple of restaurants and homestays.

Krujë Castle is freely accessible. The castle remains itself may not amount to much, but it offers magnificent views. It is nice to stroll around the cobbled streets there, and the Skanderbeg museum is also worth a visit. The old Ottoman bazaar in front of the castle is also very charming.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 322