DAJTI CASTLE

dajt

Dajti's castle or settlement is the most important monument of late antiquity in Tirana's territory because it is the largest and best preserved among them (4th-6th century AD). The morphology of the mountain slope (relief) has determined the shape of the castle itself; triangular, pyramidal, where the surrounding wall of the fortification is about 550 m long with an area of 1.3 hectares. Being a mostly sloping surface, the builders used terraced walls on which the dwellings are erected, ranging from 5 to 15 meters in width. The fortification system is equipped with 2 towers, one circular and the other semi-circular, as well as a small acropolis located on top. The only entrance discovered so far has a width of 1.5 meters and is located near the semi-circular tower. The thickness of the walls varies from 1.6m to 2.7m thick. Medium sized stones joined with lime and sand mortar were used for the construction of the walls. In different parts of the castle, the walls with a height of up to 2 m are preserved. Inside and outside the castle there are numerous fragments of tiles.

Who?

The Roman Emperor Justinian I rebuilt the Dajti fortress.

Where?

On the western slope of the mountain, southeast of the Dajti field.

nivel dajt
What?

The most important monument of Late Antiquity in the Tirana area because it is the best preserved.

Why?

The purpose of the construction is to protect the two necks on the sides of Dajti mountain. The large number of dwellings, local ceramics and metalworking found show that it was part of an even earlier settlement.

qeramik
When?

Dajti Castle was built during the transition period between ancient history and the early Middle Ages, IV-VI centuries AD.

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