Albanians have a particular place in their hearts for Lezhë, and many would probably tell you that stopping here is a necessity when travelling through Albania. George Kastriot Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, is buried here. There’s his mausoleum, the magnificent castle, and the marshes not far away. The area around Shëngjin has some lovely beaches for swimming.
5 things not to be missed in Lezhë
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History of Lezhë
The city, with its strategic location in the Drin River delta, is one of the oldest Albanian settlements. It has been inhabited since antiquity when the Syracusan colony Lissos was founded. Later it fell to the Illyrians who built a system of fortifications, the remains of which are still preserved in the castle towering high above the city. In 168 BC, the city became a Roman prize.
At the end of the 14th century, Lezhë came under the control of the Venetian Republic. As a result, the city was chosen by the Albanian warlord Skanderbeg to negotiate an alliance against the Ottomans. In 1444 he gathered a coalition of anti-Ottoman forces, the so-called League of Lezhë.
After 24 years of successful resistance against the Ottoman conquerors, Skanderberg died in 1468 and is buried here. His death heralded the end of the Albanian resistance against the Turks. The city itself was conquered by the Turks only ten years after the death of the national hero and remained part of the Ottoman Empire until 1912.
In 1979, Lezhë was hit by an earthquake, which destroyed the oldest houses in the city centre. Today, Lezhë is a growing city that benefits from its convenient transport location and the nearby port of Shëngjin.
Transport to Lezhë
Lezhë is located about halfway between Tirana and Shkodër, it will take you about an hour to get here from both directions. Buses pass here at hourly intervals. The proximity of both towns makes Lezhë a good destination for a day trip.
The bus station is located on the main road from Tirana to Shkodër, right by the bridge leading to the city centre. There are also minibuses and taxis parked here, which will take you to the beach to Shëngjin (15 minutes drive). Minibuses to Laç and Rrëshen depart from the city centre.
Sights in Lezhë
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