Castle of Borsh (Sopot)

One of the most important historical objects in Borsh is the Sopot (Borsh) Castle, which is located on the hill of the same name, 500 m above sea level. It was built in the 4th century (before our era) by the Illyrian-Epiriot tribes. This hill has a rocky surface and on the western side it forms several terraces, where a number of remains of medieval buildings can be seen. On the southwest side, at a length of about 10 m and a height of 1.33 m, there are ruins of ancient walls. On the surface of the town, fragments of vessels with black varnish were found, from the 4th century BC.

The middle of the 4th century to the middle of the 1st century BC mark the greatest development of the city.At this time it gradually grew as a formed city occupying an area of 57 ha. Then during these centuries it began to expand not only on the upper part of the hill, but also on the western slopes and in its northern area.

At the entrance, the city rises out of the contours, extending on the western slope, and descends with its surrounding walls to the middle of the hill, closing a complete enclosure.The line of the wall, in contrast to the walls of the first phase, is characterized by continuous curves with sharp angles, which give it the appearance of saw teeth.

In the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Justinian put it on the list of fortifications in 527-565. Heavily damaged during the barbarian invasions in the 5th-6th centuries, the castle was rebuilt in the Middle Ages, from which it also received the new name of Sopot. Sopot is mentioned in 1192 in the memoirs of Ana Komnene, the daughter of the Emperor of Byzantium, also according to the data, the cosmographer of king Ruxher of Sicily Siculo-Arab al-Idrizi, describing the coasts of Albania in his work "Kitab Ruxher", calls this place Sopot.

In 1258 it was mentioned for the first time under the name Arkoneda of Sopot, which means: center of the administrative unit. In 1458 it appeared under the Despot of Epirus under the name of Arcontea Sopotu. In 1266, Sopot came under the rule of Charles I of the French Azzuins and then in the hands of the Teutonic Knights and later for a long time under the Venetian Republic.

In the medieval period, 1769 it was used as a military garrison and took on the full appearance of a military fortification.During the rule of Ali Pasha Tepelena, he included the castle in the Pashallek of Janina. In the period of the rule of Ali Pasha Tepelena, the castle was rebuilt and became one of the most important ones on the Albanian coast. At that time, the mosque was built in its interior by Haxhi Bendo.This mosque is the only one built on the Himariot coast to date.

In the years 1913-1914, the commander was the patriot Mehmet Selim Shahaj, the deliverer of the Ultimatum in Vlora. The castle of Borsh (Sopot) was damaged many times by attacks until the 1940-1950s.

It should be emphasized that Borshi Castle was a very coveted fortress for its strategic position. From its top, everything around can be seen in the palm of your hand, the mountains, the villages and the sea, while from the tourist point of view the panorama offered in that position is spectacular, almost magical one might say.

Today, Sopot Castle has been declared a cultural monument, and is open to local and foreign tourists every day of the year.

In the summer season, on the 9th, 10th and 11th of August, a unique event called "Starry Nights" takes place (the only one of its kind held in a castle). It is called "Starry Nights" because exactly on the days when the Earth cuts its orbit of an old comet, Swift-Tuttle, whose fragments form these spectacular light trails, all visitors, tourists, amateurs and expert astronomers come together to admire these wonderful natural phenomena.

Thus, the long-awaited event returns to observe the falling stars in the open spaces of the castle, the associations "Penta" & "ODA" manage the event in cooperation with the Municipality of Lukovo and private businesses.