Monuments

 

Rozafa castle.

The Rozafa Castle rises on a rocky hill to the west of Shkodra. It is surrounded by the waters of three rivers, Buna, Drini and Kiri. Rozafa is one of the major castles in Albania and the most important tourist attraction in Shkodra. The castle dates back to Illyrian times and Latin historian Titus Livius called it "stronghold of the Labeats" (Illyrian tribe on the shores of Lake Shkodra). Illyrian queen, Teuta, used it as a base in the wars against Rome.

At the entrance to the castle one can see the Rozafa bas-relief. The castle assumed the shape it has today from the time of the Balsha family rule in the 14th century. Most of the remaining walls of the castle belong to the Venetian period. However one can also find traces of the Ottoman times (16th and 17th centuries) and the Bushatlli period (18th and 19th centuries). The walls of the Rozafa castle are 880 meters long and encircle an area of nine hectares.

After a strong resistance, Rozafa fell under Ottoman occupation in 1479. Other objects of interest inside the castle are the water tanks from the 15th century and the 13th century chapel, which after the Ottoman occupation was turned into a mosque. Within the walls of the castle is also the Rozafa museum that explains the various periods in the life of the castle.

The castle has an area of 3.6 hectares and is divided into three yards. The walls of the castle have a circumference of 911 m . Within the yards are social constructions such as warehouses and fortification towers and walls.

 

Capitenaria.

Was built in the Venetian period. Has a length of 20 m, a width 8 m and a height of 9 m . The entry gate of today is from the Turkish period, It was used as a location for the military garrison and as armory. Today it is the castle museum.

 

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