Lëkurësi Castle above Saranda - worth a visit!

Saturday, 23 November 2024 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

If you want to stay in Saranda for a few days, we recommend Lëkurësi Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Lëkurësit), which is located a little above the city.

The castle ruins are located on a hill that was once strategically important and overlooks the present-day city of Saranda, a little southeast of the city centre. In earlier times, the entire city and the islands of Ksamil could be observed from here and of course controlled. The castle was also once intended to protect the old village of Lëkurës. Today, travellers can enjoy the view of the port city of Saranda, the islands of Ksamil and as far as the Greek island of Corfu in all their beauty.

Castle complex from the Ottoman Middle Ages

Lëkurësi Castle was built in 1537 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, an important ruler of the Ottoman Empire. The castle complex was built to defend against the Venetians, who repeatedly invaded the Ottoman Empire. Lëkurësi Castle temporarily housed a complete garrison of 220 soldiers. At the end of the 18th century, the castle was attacked by Ali Pasha from Ioannina / Greece and the surrounding settlement was raided. It has a square shape with two round towers on the northwest and southeast corners.

Today, large parts of the castle complex can only be viewed as ruins, but an interesting tourist business has been built on the castle, which, in addition to other tourist facilities, contains one of the most famous restaurants in the area, whose building complex corresponds to an architectural style adapted to the castle complex.

The way up to Lëkurësi Castle

If you are traveling in the cooler season, the hike up to the ruins is recommended to visit the castle complex.

As a hiker, you should leave the main road at the Qafë Gjashtë and hike up the town hill from the other side of the city. A path of about 3.5 kilometres, which we completed in about an hour despite taking photos along the way.

The view alone is worth it.

As a reward for the "exertion," we were treated to a delicious fish dish after the tour. Highly recommended, as it is freshly caught every day.

By the way: If you can manage it, please stay until sunset or come up again, it's worth it!