Durrës Castle
| Durrës Castle | |
|---|---|
| Durrës, Albania | |
 Venetian Tower of Durrës | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1st century BC (final form in 5th century) |
| Built by | final form created by Emperor of the Byzantine Empire Anastasius I |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Durrës (1939), Italian invasion of Albania |
| Events | Miss Shqipëria 2009 |
Durrës Castle (Albanian:Kalaja e Durrësit) is a castle in Durrës, Albania. It was build by Emperor of the Byzantine Empire Anastasius I originating from Durres, which transformed it into one of the most fortified cities on the Adriatic. Repairs to walls have been carried out after the devastating earthquake of 1273. Currently medieval walls nearly 15 feet in height and three entrances of some fortification towers preserved in nearly one third of the initial length of the city castle.. The castle was reinforced by several tower guards by the Republic of Venice and during the occupation of Albania by Ottoman Empire the wall was reinforced.[1]
On 7 April 1939 Albanian patriots fought fascist Italian who invaded Albania. In Durrës, a force of only 360 Albanians, mostly gendarmes and townspeople, led by Abaz Kupi, the commander of the gendarmerie in Durrës, and Mujo Ulqinaku, a marine official, tried to halt the Italian advance. Armed with small arms and three machine guns, they succeeded in keeping the Italians at bay for several hours until a large number of small tanks disembarked from the Italian ships. After that, resistance diminished and within five hours Italy had captured the city.[2]
The castle now is attractive touristic point in Durrës and Albania.
Gallery
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Italian soldiers entering the city on 7 April 1939 after resistance of Mujo Ulqinaku and Royal Albanian Army -
Venetian Tower of Durrës -
Durrës Ancient City Wall Entrance
See also
- Durrës
- Venetian Albania
- Anastasius I (emperor)
- Thopia family
- Karl Thopia
- Italian invasion of Albania
- Mujo Ulqinaku
References
- ^ Kalaja e Durrësit, Durrës Guide (in Albanian)
- ^ Albania and King Zog: independence, republic and monarchy 1908-1939 Author Owen Pearson Edition illustrated Publisher I.B.Tauris, 2004 ISBN 1-84511-013-7, ISBN 978-1-84511-013-0 p. 444-445
 Castles in Albania | |
|---|---|
| Northern Albania | |
| Central Albania | |
| Southern Albania | |
| |
41°18′35″N 19°26′49″E / 41.30972°N 19.44694°E
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