Petrelë Castle

Petrelë Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Petrelës) is a castle in Petrelë, central Albania. Its history dates back to the 6th century, when it was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Petrelë Castle is 329 metres (1,079 ft) above sea level.^[1]

Sketch of the Partial reconstruction of Petrelë Castle.

Petrelë Castle
Kalaja e Petrelës
Petrelë, Albania
Petrelë Castle
Petrelë Castle
Coordinates	41.255°N 19.854°E / 41.255; 19.854
Type	Castle
Site information
Controlled by	Byzantine Empire Principality of Arbanon Kingdom of Albania Principality of Albania Principality of Kastrioti League of Lezhë  Ottoman Empire  Albania
Open to the public	Yes
Site history
Built	6th century AD
Built by	Justinian I
In use	6th century AD – unknown
Materials	Stone & concrete
Battles/wars	Battles under Skanderbeg[broken anchor]
Garrison information
Past commanders	Mamica Kastrioti

It is one of the tourist locations close to Tirana that attracts a great number of visitors. In the castle, the prominent wooden structure is a restaurant, 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.^[2][3][4] During Skanderbeg’s fight against the Ottomans, the Petrela Castle used to be under the command of Mamica Kastrioti, Skanderbeg's sister.^[5][6][7][8] Today there is a restaurant inside the castle. The castle site has views of the Erzen valley, the hills, olive groves, and surrounding mountains.

Gallery

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See also

• List of castles in Albania
• Tourism in Albania
• Architecture of Albania
• History of Albania

References

1. Petrelë Castle Altitude and Location
2. Gloyer, Gillian (2008). Albania The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-8416-2246-0. ...Petrela was a strategic link in the defensive system used by Skanderbeg...
3. Publishing, Nagel (1990). Albania. Nagel Publishers. p. 90. ISBN 978-2-8263-0827-0. ...Petrela played an important part during Skander- beg's resistance to the Ottoman invasion...
4. "Petrela Castle". Retrieved 2024-09-15.
5. Gloyer, Gillian (2008). Albania The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-8416-2246-0. ...and is said to have been where his sister Mamica lived...
6. Publishing, Nagel (1990). Albania. Nagel Publishers. p. 90. ISBN 978-2-8263-0827-0. ... It is said to have been the residence of the hero's sister Mamica...
7. "Petrela Castle". Retrieved 2024-09-15.
8. "Petrela, the residence castle of Mamica Kastrioti". Retrieved 2024-09-15.