Lëkurësi Castle

Lëkurësi Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Lëkurësit) is a ruined castle near Sarandë, southern Albania. The castle is on a strategic hill point overlooking the town of Sarandë, southeast of the town centre. From here one can control the whole town as well as the islands of Ksamil.[1]

Lëkurësi Castle
Kalaja e Lëkurësit
Sarandë Southern  Albania
Lëkurësi Castle is located in Albania
Lëkurësi Castle
Lëkurësi Castle
Coordinates39.8659°N 20.02567°E / 39.8659; 20.02567
TypeCastle
Site information
Owner Albania
Controlled by Ottoman Empire
 Albania
Open to
the public		Yes
Site history
Built1537
Built bySuleiman the Magnificent
MaterialsStone
Garrison information
Garrison220 Soldiers

History

Lëkurësi Castle was built in 1537 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. It was built in order to defend against the Venetians. It held a garrison of 220 soldiers as well. The region traditionally belonged to the southern part of the region of Himara. At the end of the 18th century the castle was attacked by Ali Pasha of Ioannina and the surrounding habitation raided.[2][3][4]

The castle used to withhold the old Lëkurës village. It has a square shape with two round towers on its north-western and south-eastern corners. To climb up to the castle, visitors need to leave the main road on Qafë Gjashtë and go up the town hill from the other side of the town.

Today tourist facilities are built next to the castle (restaurant etc.) in similar architectural style.

See also

References
  1. Eastern Europe. Lonely Planet Publications. 2007. p. 66. ISBN 9781741044768. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  2. Pappas, Nicholas Charles (1982). Greeks in Russian Military Service in the Late Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries. Stanford University. p. 265. Ali's troops attacked and pillaged other habitations in southern Cheimarra, such as Loukovo, Lykouresi, Agios Vasileios, Pikerni and Borsi.
  3. Lekursi Castle
  4. Lekursi Castle

39.8659°N 20.02567°E / 39.8659; 20.02567

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