Prezë Castle, Medieval fortress in Prezë, Albania
Prezë Castle is a medieval fortress on a hilltop with four corner towers constructed from thick stone walls and defensive ramparts. The structure overlooks the plain below and displays a strong military layout with substantial fortifications designed for protection from multiple directions.
The fortress was built by Emperor Justinian the Great in the 6th century and later enlarged by the Thopia family during the 14th and 15th centuries. These construction periods reflect different military and regional developments across several hundred years.
The fortress served as a refuge and defensive center for the surrounding population during periods of conflict and upheaval. The thick stone walls and corner towers reveal how the structure shaped daily life and security for those who lived in and around it.
The site is reachable by car from Tirana, located about 20 kilometers away and near the international airport. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for walking the uneven terrain around the fortress and its defensive structures.
A clock tower from the 19th century was added to the original medieval structure, creating an unexpected combination of different historical periods. This addition shows how the fortress continued to be modified and used across several generations.
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