Petrela Castle is an impressive testament to the history and culture of Albania. Located on the top of a small mountain, this historic site dates back to the 5th century AD, when it was first built as a defensive fortification. The castle was strategically situated to watch out for Ottoman troops marching towards inner Albania. It features two concentric walls made from square blocks, giving it an imposing appearance.
The outer wall is an isodomic structure strengthened by buttresses, and within its walls lie numerous archaeological artifacts such as Hellenistic pottery rings. At the center of the castle stands a tall tower that reaches up to five meters in height and twenty meters in length. This tower is believed to have been built during Scanderbeg’s lifetime (1405-1468), making it even more significant to Albanian history.
In addition to its rich historical significance, Petrelë Castle offers stunning views of the Erzen Valley below, with its hills blanketed with olive groves and encircled by mountains in the distance. The town below has also been closely associated with Scanderbeg; his sister Mamica Kastrioti lived there in Ottoman times and it is said that he often visited this place as a retreat away from his military duties.
