Grazhdani Castle, Cultural Monument in Dibër District, Albania.
Grazhdani Castle is a fortress with stone walls that rise across multiple levels on a hillside, featuring defensive structures and viewing points positioned along its perimeter. The layout makes use of the natural slope to strengthen its defensive purpose.
The Byzantine Empire built this fortress in the 4th century as part of a broader defensive network across the Balkans. It served as a strategic position within a system of fortifications that protected the region's territorial boundaries.
The castle's structure reflects the building knowledge of medieval craftspeople who worked with local materials and techniques suited to mountain terrain. You can see this craftsmanship in how the stone was cut and laid throughout the remaining walls.
You can reach the fortress by hiking on marked trails from the village of Grazhdan and explore it during daylight hours. The trails are easiest to follow during warmer months when ground conditions are most favorable.
Though the walls are damaged in many places, the surviving sections reveal different building phases that span thousands of years. These layers show how defensive techniques evolved and were adapted across distinct historical periods.
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