The Castle of Porto Palermo (Kalaja e Porto Palermos) is one of the fortresses built by Ali Pasha of Tepelena in southern Albania, located on a small peninsula in the bay of Porto Palermo. A gem of military architecture and a must-visit on the Albanian Riviera. The bay, which is home to an unused submarine depot, is known for its clear turquoise waters, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkelling.
The fortress was built at the beginning of the 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena, probably on the site of an unfinished fortress built by the Venetians. It was intended to be a stronghold for the Ali Pasha, who ruled a large area in what is now southern Albania and northern Greece de facto independently of the Ottoman Empire. At the entrance to the fortress used to be a sign with a telling inscription: Whoever dares to touch these walls, the black viper will eat his eyes out.
The triangular-shaped fortress is in good condition. Occasionally, exhibitions or other cultural events such as the Porto Palermo Festival are held inside. From the roof, you can enjoy views of the bay and the Ceraunian Mountains, which rise to a height of two thousand metres. An entrance fee of 300 leks is charged to enter the fortress. At the isthmus of the peninsula, barely a few dozen metres wide, there is a yacht marina, with some restaurants nearby.
The submarine base was built in 1969 for vessels captured by Albania from the Soviet Navy. This was after dictator Enver Hoxha expelled the Soviets from the country and kept their submarines. The 650-metre-long tunnel was dug into the rock to protect the submarines from possible air attack. The base is abandoned but still closed to the public. The government is now considering turning the tunnel into a Cold War museum. The base is located at the bay’s northern end, and the tunnel entrance portal can be viewed from a roadside vantage point.
Porto Palermo Bay is a relatively less developed part of the Albanian Riviera, adding to its charm as a more authentic and unspoiled destination. The bay is known for its clear turquoise waters, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkelling. A beautiful, calm beach with a restaurant is located in the southern part of the bay, around 300 meters off the SH8 road.
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