Petrelë Castle () is a
castle
A castle is a type of fortification, fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by Military order (monastic society), military orders. Scholars usually consider a ''castle'' to be the private ...
in
Petrelë
Petrelë is a village and a former municipality 15 km south of Tirana, in central Albania. It is part of Tirana County. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Tirana. The population at the 2011 census w ...
, central
Albania
Albania ( ; or ), officially the Republic of Albania (), is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to ...
. Its history dates back to the 6th century, when it was built by the
Byzantine emperor
The foundation of Constantinople in 330 AD marks the conventional start of the Eastern Roman Empire, which Fall of Constantinople, fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. Only the emperors who were recognized as legitimate rulers and exercised s ...
Justinian I
Justinian I (, ; 48214 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565.
His reign was marked by the ambitious but only partly realized ''renovatio imperii'', or "restoration of the Empire". This ambition was ...
. Petrelë Castle is above sea level.
It is one of the tourist locations close to
Tirana
Tirana ( , ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in Albania, largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills, with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest ov ...
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. During
Skanderbeg
Gjergj Kastrioti (17 January 1468), commonly known as Skanderbeg, was an Albanians, Albanian Albanian nobility, feudal lord and military commander who led Skanderbeg's rebellion, a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania, ...
’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.
Gallery
Petrela_Castle,_Tirana.jpg
Kalaja e Petreles 02.jpg
Kalaja e Petreles 01.jpg
Kalaja e Petreles 03.jpg
Castillo de Petrela, Petrela, Albania, 2014-04-17, DD 08.JPG
See also
*
List of castles in Albania
This article lists the castles and fortifications of Albania. There are a total of 158 castles and fortifications in the country that have achieved the status of monument of cultural heritage. The English equivalent for ''Kala'' in Albanian is ''F ...
*
Tourism in Albania
Tourism in Albania has been a key element of the country's economic activity and is constantly developing. Albania is characterized by its rich archaeological and cultural heritage dating back to the classical period when Illyrians and Ancie ...
*
Architecture of Albania
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 inh ...
*
History of Albania
During classical antiquity, Albania was home to several Illyrian tribes such as the Albanoi, Ardiaei, Bylliones, Dassaretii, Enchele, Labeatae, Taulantii, Parthini, Penestae (tribe), Penestae, Amantes (tribe), Amantes, and many others, but also Bry ...
References
Towers completed in the 6th century
Castles in Albania
Buildings and structures in Tirana County
Tourist attractions in Tirana County
{{Albania-castle-stub