Rozafa Fortress, Medieval fortress on rocky hill in Shkodër, Albania.
Rozafa Fortress stands on a 130-metre rocky hill above Shkodër, ringed by the Buna and Drin rivers. Its inner area of almost 9 hectares is divided by walls into three courtyards that rise one after another, the third at the top. The visible walls are mostly of Venetian construction, with rectangular projections replacing towers.
The Illyrians originally built this fortress, which the Romans seized in 168 BCE, beginning a long period of foreign rule. Over the following centuries, different empires took control of this strategic location one after another.
The fortress walls contain remains of a 13th-century church that was later converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule. Walking through, you can see how these different faiths shaped the space over centuries.
A path leads up the hillside to reach the fortress, offering orientation as you climb. Visitors should expect uneven ground throughout the site and plan accordingly for sun exposure on the higher areas.
Local tradition tells of a woman named Rozafa who accepted being built into the fortress walls to strengthen the structure. Water seeping through the stone is interpreted by residents as her tears.
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