Lëkurësi Castle
| Lëkurësi Castle | |
|---|---|
Kalaja e Lëkurësit | |
| Sarandë Southern Albania | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Owner | Albania |
| Controlled by | Ottoman Empire Albania |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Location | |
Lëkurësi Castle | |
| Coordinates | 39°51′57″N 20°01′32″E / 39.8659°N 20.02567°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1537 |
| Built by | Suleiman the Magnificent |
| Materials | Stone |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 220 Soldiers |
Lëkurësi Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Lëkurësit) is a ruined castle near Sarandë, southern Albania. The castle is on a strategic hill point overlooking the town of Sarandë, southeast of the town centre. From here one can control the whole town as well as the islands of Ksamil.[1]
Description
The Lëkurësi castle is located around 1 km southeast of Saranda. It is almost square in shape, and has two round towers at opposite corners, where its loopholes are also found. The best preserved parts of the castle are its southern and eastern sides. The castle offers control over Saranda, Butrint and the Straits of Corfu.[2]
History
Lëkurësi Castle was built in 1537 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. It was built in order to defend against the Venetians. It held a garrison of 220 soldiers as well. The region traditionally belonged to the southern part of the region of Himara. At the end of the 18th century, the castle was attacked by Ali Pasha of Ioannina and the surrounding habitation raided.[3][4][5]
On the western slope of the hill there was a village named Lëkurës until the 19th century. It seems that it had a larger population than Saranda.[2]
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ Eastern Europe. Lonely Planet Publications. 2007. p. 66. ISBN 9781741044768. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
- ^ a b Zindel, Christian; Lippert, Andreas; Lahi, Bashkim; Kiel, Machiel (2018). Albanien: Ein Archäologie- und Kunstführer von der Steinzeit bis ins 19. Jahrhundert (in German). Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. p. 180.
- ^ Pappas, Nicholas Charles (1982). Greeks in Russian Military Service in the Late Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries. Stanford University. p. 265.
Ali's troops attacked and pillaged other habitations in southern Cheimarra, such as Loukovo, Lykouresi, Agios Vasileios, Pikerni and Borsi.
- ^ Lekursi Castle
- ^ Lekursi Castle