Tirana Castle Ruins

Tirana, Albania

Fortress of Justinian or simply known as Tirana Castle dates is a remnant from the Byzantine-era. The preserved ruins show that the castle was probably founded in antiquity, maybe in the Early Byzantinum (400-600 AD). The fortress is the place where the main east-west and north-south roads crossed, and formed the heart of Tirana. The current fortification has three known towers and it is undergoing a process of restoration, for touristic purposes. Inside the fortified walls of the former fortress, there are many buildings that can be visited, including restaurants, hotels, and cultural institutions.

About all that is left of the fortress above ground is a 6-metre high Ottoman-era wall, covered in vines. The recently uncovered wall foundations were incorporated into the pedestrianised Murat Toptani Street, while a mosaic commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Albania's Independence was unveiled near the Albanian Parliament.

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Address

Shëtitorja Murat Toptani, Tirana, Albania
See all sites in Tirana

Details

Founded: 400-600 AD
Category: Castles and fortifications in Albania

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

3.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Skanderbeg Square (0,4 km)
Et'hem Bey Mosque (0,3 km)
National Museum of History (0,5 km)
Kapllan Pasha Tomb (0,2 km)
Tirana Mosaic (1,6 km)


Krujë Castle (20,3 km)
Durrës Roman Amphitheatre (31,5 km)
Durrës Fortitied Old Town (31,4 km)
Durrës Roman Baths (31,4 km)
Durrës Archaeological Museum (31,9 km)
Elbasan Castle Walls (32,2 km)
Petrelë Castle (8,4 km)
St. Mary's Church (31,9 km)
Ad Quintum (30,4 km)

User Reviews

Simon Melis (2 months ago)
Difficult to find a communist building/monument that isn't ugly. :) This one definitely is but what is more frustrating is that they have not done anything to maintain it, build a museum inside or have at least an explanation outside of it. If you don't have a guide or don't google, you have no clue what you are standing in front of.
Abraham Mazunga (4 months ago)
The pyramid reminds of the past of Tirana. That building should be removed definitely.
Dejan Braki (5 months ago)
The 4* rating is for the historic communist legacy, not for the bldg itself which is a disaster. It reminds on Bulgarias Buzludzha on a smaller scale. The pyramid was built to house a museum on Enver Xohxa life and legacy, but actually was never opened.
Dave Bolster (6 months ago)
Trash triangle. Only its history is interesting. Nothing going on there now.
Elda Bime (2 years ago)
The pyramid was built in the time of monism. It is a very beautiful architecture, but now it is left to chance. Hope to return to a contemporary destination.
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