Tomornitsa, Medieval fortress in Berat region, Albania

Tomornitsa is a medieval fortress built near Mount Tomorr on a strategic hilltop overlooking central Albanian valleys. Its thick stone walls and layered defense structures were arranged across the hillside to control the surrounding terrain.

The fortress is mentioned in chronicles for the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire in 1018, when on 15 August, the feast of the Dormition, the voivode Ivats was killed here by agents of Emperor Basil II. It is also recorded in the events of 1336, and the Ottomans destroyed it in 1467. No detailed archaeological excavations have been carried out at the site.

Byzantine chronicler John Skylitzes, writing in Greek, called the site Pronista, meaning a fore-mountain or mountain peak, and also Vrohot, after the flight of the commander Ivats. According to his account the residence had fine palaces with gardens, places for amusement, a tall central castle and a church. The name Koprinishta is also used for the fortress.

The site is accessible on foot from Berat via marked trails and is best visited during warmer months. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water, as the path climbs a hillside with limited shade.

From the walls the view takes in the fortresses of Berat, including Mbeshtova, Peshtan, Mbolan, Vojak, Gradishta of Kereshnik and the castle of Vokopola. The site is often confused with the fortress above the town of Berat; eight other castles stand in the Osum river area.