Tervol Castle, Elbasan

Tervol Castle is an important cultural heritage monument in Tervol, Elbasan county. This ancient fort dates back to several periods and is a clear evidence of the architectural and historical changes it has experienced over the centuries.

The walls of the Illyrian period, which constitute an important part of the castle, have a quadrangular, but not regular, shape with dimensions of 30 m x 38 m, known as the "Castle Square". The southern wall stands out for its length of 20 meters, built of blocks of the rock itself and a solid foundation. The blocks are used without mortar joints, and the stones used are not processed. In general, around the castle, there are terraces built with stone walls with a thickness of about 2 meters, which were used for the construction of dwellings.

The stucco walls, especially those in the south-eastern part, show a kind of scaling to facilitate the attainment of height. The walls are composed of different stones, and the stucco walls show variations in construction techniques. The southeast wall has a maximum height of 7 meters and a thickness of 3 meters.

Maja e Zit, which is the highest peak in the territory of Tervoli, includes a quadrangular construction with dimensions of 3.5x4.5 meters. The walls of this construction show the technique of walls with mortar and have a thickness of about 1.1-1.2 meters. This building, which is located in the eastern-northern part of Maja e Zit, may have followed the survey, making it a possible building for defense purposes.

The ceramics found around the tower testify to the beginning of this fortified Illyrian center in the early Iron Age. In addition to the Illyrian period, there are traces of Roman and medieval times on the horse, proving that the use and importance of this area has continued throughout different historical periods.