| Elbasan Castle | |
|---|---|
Kalaja e Elbasanit | |
| Elbasan, Albania | |
 Elbasan Castle | |
  Elbasan Castle | |
| Coordinates | 41°06′47″N20°04′48″E / 41.113°N 20.080°E |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner |  Albania |
| Controlled by |  Ottoman Empire Albania |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 4rd century |
Elbasan Castle (Albanian : Kalaja e Elbasanit) is a 15th-century fortress in the city of Elbasan, Albania. [1]
The original fortification was built during the 4th century, theorized after the Gothic invasions of Illyria in 378 AD. It was initially composed of three meter thick walls in a rectangular shape (c. 348 by 308m). [2] The surrounding region showed evidence of considerable agricultural activity during the Roman period. A second period of settlement is noticed up until the 6th century, the decline of which corresponds with the Slavic invasions. [3] [4]
The Elbasan Castle was restored under orders of Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire. Due to the short time it took to be completed, it is noted that the restoration made use of the pre-existing fortification considerably. [5] It consisted of 26 equidistant 9-metre (30 ft) high towers, and part of Via Egnatia passes through the castle.
Sinan Pasha's Turkish bath is within the walls of the castle. It is a well-preserved attraction built in the early 19th century.
Mehmed II, commonly known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was twice the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from August 1444 to September 1446 and then later from February 1451 to May 1481.
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The third siege of Krujë by the Ottoman Empire took place in the summer of 1467 in Krujë in Albania.
Byllis or Bullis or Boullis (Βουλλίς) was an ancient city and the chief settlement of the Illyrian tribe of the Bylliones, traditionally located in southern Illyria. In Hellenistic times the city was either part of Illyria or Epirus. In Roman times it was included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. The remains of Byllis are situated north-east of Vlorë, 25 kilometers from the sea in Hekal, Fier County, Albania. Byllis was designated as an archaeological park on 7 April 2003 by the government of Albania.
Amantia was an ancient city and the main settlement of the Amantes, traditionally located in southern Illyria in classical antiquity. In Hellenistic times the city was either part of Illyria or Epirus. In Roman times it was included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. The site has been identified with the village of Ploçë, Vlorë County, Albania. Amantia was designated as an archaeological park on 7 April 2003 by the government of Albania.
Gjergj Kastrioti, commonly known as Skanderbeg, was an Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia.
The Bylliones were an Illyrian tribe that lived near the Adriatic coast of southern Illyria, on the lower valley of the Vjosa river, in the hinterland of Apollonia. The Bylliones were firstly attested in epigraphic material from the oracle of Dodona dating back to the 4th century BC, and their koinon was firstly attested in a 3rd-century BC inscription from the same oracle. Their territory was trapezoidal on the right side of the rivers Luftinje and Vjosa, extending in the west to the Mallakastra mountains. The chief city of their koinon was Byllis. Another important centre of their koinon was Klos, an earlier Illyrian settlement later called Nikaia, as an inscription attests. The Bylliones also inhabited in the area of an ancient sanctuary of the eternal fire called Nymphaion.
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Durrës Castle is the fortified old city of Durrës, Albania. It is enclosed by city walls built in the late 5th century, and repaired and reinforced in the Middle Ages and early modern periods.
The architecture of Albania is a reflection of Albania's historical and cultural heritage. The country's architecture was influenced by its location within the Mediterranean Basin and progressed over the course of history as it was once inhabited by numerous civilisations including the Illyrians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans as well as modern Austro-Hungarians and Italians. In addition, missionaries, invaders, colonisers and traders brought cultural changes that had a large profound effect on building styles as well as techniques.
The Sanjak of Durrës was one of the sanjaks of the Ottoman Empire. It was named for its capital Durrës and was also known as the Sanjak of Durazzo from its capital's Italian name. The sanjak was composed of the kazas of Durrës, Tirana, Shijak, Kavajë, and Krujë. The Sanjak of Durrës formed the southern half of the Vilayet of Scutari. The northern half was the Sanjak of Scutari. Durrës Sanjak also bordered the sanjaks of Manastir and Dibra to its northeast and the sanjak of Elbasan to the east and south. Its western border was the Adriatic Sea. Its terrain is generally flat and plain. Only the eastern parts of the kazas of Tirana and Kavajë were mountainous.
| Castles in Albania | |
|---|---|
| Northern Albania | |
| Central Albania | |
| Southern Albania | |
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