Petrelë Castle

Petrelë Castle, locally known as Kalaja e Petrelës, lies in the village of the same name, in the county of Tirana in Albania.

The castle is thought to have been founded in Late Antiquity (3rd-4th century) and rebuilt during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century. Apparently, it was first mentioned, as Petrula, by the Byzantine princess-historian Anna Komnene in her book, The Alexiad, when she discussed the battles between the Normans and the Byzantines. The present remains of Petrelë Castle, however, date back to the 14th century.

In 1445, the then lord of Petrelë, Karl Muzaka Thopia, married Mamica Kastrioti. She was the sister of Gjergj Kastrioti, better known as Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero. Later that century, during Skanderbeg's fight against the Ottomans, she acted as commander of Petrelë.

The castle is situated on a circa 400-meter-high rocky outcrop and has a roughly triangular plan with 2 towers. From this elevated position, it had wide views over the surrounding hills and plains, and was intervisible with the castles at Krujë and Durrës.

Petrelë Castle is now used as a small local restaurant, so it can only be visited during its opening hours. A wonderful little castle with fantastic views. I also very much liked the food.

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