Rozafa Castle

The castle occupies the top of a rocky hill surrounded on three sides by water – the Buna and Drin rivers converge below. The defensive walls stretch several hundred metres, forming three courtyards: lower, middle, and upper. The masonry consists of large stone blocks; Venetian towers and Ottoman additions are still visible in places. In the upper courtyard, there are ruins of a mosque with a partially standing minaret and remains of water cisterns.

Near the museum entrance stands a sculpture of Rozafa – the woman from the legend who was walled into the fortress to ensure its stability. The museum occupies a single room: the collection includes pottery, weapons, and models illustrating the castle's history from the Illyrian period to the 20th century. Information panels are in Albanian and English.

From the highest point, the view covers 360°: the city of Shkodër to the north, Lake Shkodër and the Montenegro border to the west, the river floodplain and the Lead Mosque to the south, and the Kir valley to the east. In July–August the walls are fully exposed to the sun with no shade – bring water and a hat.

Age – founded by the Illyrians over 2,500 years ago, rebuilt by Romans (167 BC), Venetians (14th–15th c.), and Ottomans (1478)

Elevation – 130 m above sea level, approximately 80 m above river level

Panorama – 360° views of Lake Shkodër, three rivers, mountains, and the city

Legend – named after Rozafa, a woman walled into the ramparts to ensure the fortress would stand; sculpture at the museum entrance

Museum – archaeological finds from the Neolithic to the Ottoman period, separate entry 200 ALL (~€2)

Wildlife – land tortoises live on the castle grounds

The first fortifications on the hill were built by Illyrian tribes in the 3rd century BC. In 167 BC the Romans captured the fortress. During the Middle Ages, it passed between Byzantium, Serbian, and Albanian rulers, and in the 14th–15th centuries the Venetians carried out a major reconstruction – building the walls and towers still visible today. The castle was a key outpost on the border of the Venetian Republic.

In 1478, the Ottomans took the fortress after a prolonged siege, adding a mosque, utility buildings, and water cisterns. In 1912, Montenegrin forces besieged the castle during the First Balkan War. During the 20th century, the complex gradually fell into disrepair but was granted cultural monument status. Today the castle is open to visitors year-round, a museum operates inside, and restoration work continues.

From central Shkodër (3 km, 10 min):

– Taxi: 300–500 ALL (~€3–5)

– City bus: 30 ALL (~€0.30), stops at the castle turn-off, then 10 min walk uphill

– Bicycle: many hotels offer rentals, flat road to the base

– On foot: 30–40 minutes from the centre

From Tirana (100 km, 2 hours):

– Bus to Shkodër: from 400 ALL (~€4), departures every 30 min from the bus station

– Direct bus from Tirana Airport: 1,000 ALL (~€10), 2 hours

– Car rental: from €25/day

On-site:

From the entrance gate to the upper courtyard is a 10–15 minute walk up a cobblestone road. Cars can be parked at the top gate.

Season: April–June and September–October offer comfortable temperatures and fewer visitors. July–August is very hot with no shade on the walls.

Time of day: early morning (before 10:00) or 1.5 hours before closing – soft light and fewer people. Sunset from the walls is one of the best photo spots in Shkodër.

Duration: 1–1.5 hours for the castle and museum.

Avoid: midday in July–August (heat); the castle closes at 7:00 PM. From November 1 to May 14, it is closed on Mondays.