Petrela Castle
Petrela Castle (400 m altitude) has a fairly protected position. Since ancient times, this fort controlled the intersection of roads of economic and military importance that passed by it, such as the Egnatia road (Durres-Tirana-Elbasan branch).
The constructions belong to different periods, which, starting from the construction technique and the overlap, are divided into several phases. This fort has a triangular shape and its perimeter does not exceed 100 meters. In two corners there are circular towers, while in the third, due to the steep rock, no tower has been built.
Petrela Castle has gone through several periods of construction and destruction. It is thought to have been built in the late antique period (III-IV century AD) and was rebuilt again during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527 – 565). It gained special importance in the century. XI, in the fighting between the Normans and the Byzantines.
At the beginning of the century XIV belonged to the feudal family of Topiaj, who at that time were the owners of the territory between the Mat and Shkumbin rivers.
In the 15th century, Petrela was the first Castle after Kruja, which was besieged and liberated by Skenderbeu.
Petrela Castle was one of the centers that faced the Ottoman invasion, until the last years of Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu’s life.
