There are roughly ten castles and fortresses around Tirana, varying in their state of decay. The castles of Petrelë and Prezë are particularly worth a visit, as they are well preserved and offer fantastic views of the capital and large parts of central Albania. Both castles are popular weekend destinations for Tiranians, who are particularly fond of them thanks to their renowned restaurants.
Petrelë Castle (Kalaja e Petrelës) stands on a rocky hill near the village of the same name about 15 kilometers from Tirana close to the highway to Elbasan. It was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in the early Middle Ages, later it became part of the fortress system around the castle in Krujë. During danger, individual strongholds signaled to one another by lighting fires and emitting smoke. The current form of the castle is from the 14th century.
You can park your car in Petrelë village and walk uphill to the castle in about five minutes. There is a collection of medieval weapons in the courtyard. The restaurant located in the fortress tower offers the best views of the Erzen River valley and the surrounding hilly terrain.
TIP: There’s a brand-new zipline a few hundred metres below Petrela, right on the edge of the access road. A longer than half-kilometer cable winds above the treetops and eventually reaches the Erzen River bed. Those who are interested can slide along it at up to 80 km/h while it is suspended from a pulley. The adrenaline experience costs 1800 lek, or 15 euros.
Not any less beautiful is the castle Prezë (Kalaja e Prezës). Situated northwest of Tirana, close to the international airport, it dates back to the 15th century. It is even more well-preserved than Petrelë and features four towers connected by outer walls. Since Prezë is located in the geographic center between Durrës, Krujë, and Petrelë, it was also included in the castle signal system. The complex contains a clock tower, a mosque with a minaret, and a house that is currently home to a popular restaurant.
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