Borsh Castle

The Castle of Borsh rises on a hill that ends at the top with a rocky ridge and occupies a central position overlooking the ancient city of Borsh, just 2 km from the beautiful coastal village. Its favorable geographical position with abundant waters and surrounding mountains has favored the habitation of this area since ancient times. On the western side, the mountain forms several natural terraces, where a series of remains of medieval buildings are still visible. Traces of walls from the ancient period are seen on the southwest side, extending about 10 meters in length and 1.33 meters in height. Built in the 4th century BC by the Illyrian-Epirote tribes, it was rebuilt by Justinian in the 5th century. After being heavily damaged during barbarian invasions, in the 13th century it was under the control of Charles I of Anjou, then in the hands of German knights, and later for a long time under the Republic of Venice. In 1417 it fell into the hands of the Ottomans, who carried out a thorough reconstruction, while in 1458 it appeared under the Despotate of Epirus with the name Arhonteja of Sopot. In 1456, Catalan troops of the King of Naples, Alfonso V, landed in Sopot to be used against the Turks. From that time until 1790, the castle often changed hands between the Ottomans and Venetians, while Haxhi Bendo Vasili from Borsh, a vassal of Ali Pasha Tepelena, took control of it by including it in the Pashalik of Janina. During that period, the mosque inside the castle was built, the only one constructed in the Himara coastal area. In 1913-1914, the commander was patriot Mehmet Selim Shahaj, who surrendered the Vlora Ultimatum.