Krujë, Medieval fortress city in Albania.
Krujë is a city at 520 meters elevation between Mount Krujë and the Ishëm River, featuring stone buildings and defensive walls overlooking the surrounding valleys. The medieval fortress and the old town behind it form the core of the settlement with narrow streets and traditional architecture.
The city developed as a fortress center and withstood multiple Ottoman sieges in the 15th century under Skanderbeg's leadership. After his death, it was captured in 1478, marking the end of organized resistance in the region.
The Old Bazaar keeps its medieval character with cobblestone streets where artisans create and sell traditional items like embroidered textiles, copper works, and silver objects. Visitors can watch these craftspeople at work in their small shops throughout the district.
You can reach Krujë by taking a one-hour bus ride from Tirana International Airport, with regular departures throughout the day from the capital city. The town is walkable, though some streets are steep and sturdy shoes are recommended.
The Ethnographic Museum occupies an Ottoman-era house from 1764 and displays regional artifacts across twenty rooms that showcase traditional Albanian domestic life. The rooms are arranged to reflect the daily rhythm of a well-to-do household from that period.
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