Tirana Castle

The castle of Tirana is located in the center of the capital and is one of its most frequented areas. Tirana Castle is a monument of cultural heritage, since 1973. It represents a fortification with a rectangular plan measuring 160x120 m.Throughout the first centuries of our era, it has been the center of a settlement under various names.
According to Barleti, the town was known as Tirkan in the 4th century, Tergiana in the 13th century when its ruler Karli Anzhu's chancellery was there, and Tyranna in 1505.The castle, as the most ancient evidence of the city, is located exactly at the place where the old and new roads that connected Tirana with other cities in Albania crossed.
Today, the castle remains the historical core of Tirana. It is thought that in 1640, Ahmet Bey carried out reconstruction works on the surrounding walls of the castle, raising them on the old foundations. The castle was damaged again in the period of the interfeudal wars of the 18th century, when the troops of Ahmet Kurt Pasha of Berat clashed with the Bushatllinj.The people of Tirana, locked inside it, defended themselves heroically and the fortress was not invaded by any of them. In 1798 it fell into the hands of the Toptani family from Kruja. During this period, the castle became the object of the long-term war between the Toptanas and the Bushatllinj rulers of Shkodra. In 1817 it experienced a five-month siege, which had serious consequences not only for the castle but also for a large part of the city. After the bombing, it was partially rebuilt by Toptanas, but it did not last long because in 1832 it was demolished by order of the Grand Vizier, Mehmet Reshit Pasha, who ordered the demolition of all the forts. Today, a part of the northern wall and tracts on its southern side are preserved, which blends in nicely with the surrounding infrastructure. After 1814, the Castle of Tirana became the residence of the Toptanas who came from Kruja, who built two houses, one for living and the other for reception, which are still there today. A new pedestrian area has been created within the walls of Tirana's fortress, transformed into a recreational space for the capital. This space serves as an environment where artisans and local traditions, cuisine and art of Tirana are promoted.