Castles of "Albania" PETRELË CASTLE vs PREZË CASTLE

PETRELË CASTLE

Petrelë Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Petrelës) is a castle in Petrelë, central Albania. Its history dates back to Justinian I. Petrelë Castle is 329 met...

Petrelë Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Petrelës) is a castle in Petrelë, central Albania. Its history dates back to Justinian I. Petrelë Castle is 329 metres (1,079 ft) above sea level. The castle of Petrelë has a rich history, containing a tower which was built in the 6th century AD. It is one of the tourist locations close to Tirana that attracts a great number of visitors. The Castle, the prominent wooden structure is a restaurant, is perched on a rocky hill, above the village with the same name. It has a triangular shape with two observation towers. Although it was first built in ancient times, the present building dates from the 15th century. The Petrela Castle was part of the signaling and defense system of Krujë Castle. The castles signaled to each other by means of fires. During Skanderbeg’s fight against the Ottomans, the Petrela Castle used to be under the command of Mamica Kastrioti, Skanderbeg's sister. Today there is a restaurant inside the castle. The castle site has views of the Erzen valley, the hills, olive groves, and surrounding mountains.

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PREZË CASTLE

The Prezë Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Prezës) is a medieval castle in Prezë, Albania. Preza Castle was build by the Illyrian Roman Emperor in 550s a...

The Prezë Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Prezës) is a medieval castle in Prezë, Albania. Preza Castle was build by the Illyrian Roman Emperor in 550s as mass project he had to fortify western Balkans gorm the barbarian inclusions. The castle overlooks the village with the same name and is located on a hilltop. The castle was enlarged by a construction which started in the 14th century and was completed in the early 15th century and belonged to the Thopias, a local Albanian feudal family. During 1443-1468 it was one of the core strongholds of the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire led by Skanderbeg. The castle has been declared a 'monument of culture'. It has four towers, one in each corner. The clock tower was erected around 1800–50. It is known for its beautiful location, overlooking the Tirana plain. The castle is quite close to the Mother Theresa International Airport. A restaurant named Restorant Kalaja E Prezës and other service facilities are found inside the castle.

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