Rozafa Castle (Kalaja e Rozafës) is one of Albania’s most revered cultural landmarks. Perched atop a hill overlooking the city of Shkodër, stands as a testament to centuries of history and legend. Believed to have ancient Illyrian roots, the castle has witnessed the ebb and flow of various civilizations, including the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. Its strategic location at the meeting point of three rivers and by the shore of Shkodra Lake affords panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The old legend is that the girl Rozafa, who willingly allowed herself to be buried in the walls to prevent them from collapsing, is the reason the castle got its name. Before her sacrifice, she requested that her arm and breast remain protruding from the wall so that she could tend to and comfort her kid. Every child in Albania is familiar with this legend that has been passed down through the ages.
Owing to its advantageous location, people have lived atop the hill since ancient times. The Illyrians built the castle, which the Romans eventually conquered in 167 AD.Most of the fortifications that are still visible today are Venetian in design. Later on, the Ottomans also contributed to the alterations made to the castle.
The Turkish siege of the castle in 1478-1479, during which a small group of Albanian and Venetian defenders fought against overwhelming odds for months, is likely the most well-known of the many sieges that have taken place at the castle. During the Balkan Wars, in 1912–1913, the Montenegrins carried out another spectacular siege, defeating Ottomans and conquering the castle.
There are three courtyards in the castle, each divided by interior walls. The defence towers and outer walls have several points of entry and offer an amazing view of the Shkodra Lake, the confluence of the Buna, Drin and Kir Rivers, and Shkodër city as well.
The buildings inside the castle have not survived the vicissitudes of history and numerous sieges. The best preserved of these is the Church of St. Stephen (Kisha e Shën Stefanit) from the beginning of the 14th century. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted into the Mosque of Sultan Fatih (Xhamia e Fatihut) and a minaret was added.
The castle is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (from October to April 9:00 to 16:00). Inside is a museum where you can learn more about the history of Rozafa and the city of Shkodër. Some of the exhibits include a statue of the walled girl Rozafa, a sizable model of the castle, and fragments of the only mosaic found in northern Albania.
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