Lëkurësi Fortress, Ottoman castle in Sarandë, Albania
Lëkurësi Fortress is a castle perched on a hill above Sarandë with two round towers positioned at opposite corners. The limestone walls rise to approximately seven meters in height and measure about two meters thick throughout.
The fortress was built in 1537 under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent as a coastal defense against Venetian attacks. It housed approximately 220 soldiers who maintained its military function.
The site displays remains of an old village with building styles from different periods. Visitors can see how people once lived and built in this region.
The fortress can be reached by a 45-minute uphill walk from Sarandë or by taking a taxi service. The climb is steep but the path is clear and leads directly to the entrance.
The square plan with two round towers on opposite corners repeats the emblem of medieval leatherworkers in this region, according to local tradition. The ground floor served as a storeroom, and the walls reach 6.7 to 7 metres high and up to 2 metres thick.
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