Zharë Castle

Zharë Castle, locally known as Kalaja e Zharës, lies between the villages of Turan and Veliqot, in the county of Gjirokastër in Albania.

I could not find any historical information about this castle, situated on a hill in the valley of the Vjosë river. Only that it was called Zharë, after the hill on which it stands, and that archaeological research showed that it dates back to a period between the 4th and 6th century. Because of its age, it is thought this may have been a Byzantine military fortification from the emperor Justinian I.

Not much remains of the castle, which had an elongated, elliptical plan. You can however discern most of its defensive walls, the site of a cistern, a square tower at its northern end and a D-shaped tower at the southern and highest point of the castle.

Zharë Castle is freely accessible. Not an interesting ruin, but I liked the location. There is a dirt road leading right up to the heart of the castle terrain from the asphalted road below it. Tepelenë Castle is nearby.

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