Kalaja e Kaninës – Family Art Guides

Kanina Castle

Kanina Castle is located 6 km away from the coastal city of Vlora. It rises on a hill about 380 meters above sea level, where the ruins of the old city of Kanina are found. The view from the castle is closed off to the south by the Shashica mountain, but it has a wide panorama in the other three directions and can be considered the gateway to the Southern Riviera of Albania. Archaeological evidence clearly shows that initially, our ancestors, the Illyrians, built the castle, and it has been continuously inhabited throughout history. The castle was reconstructed, like many others, by Justinian in the 5th century and later by other Albanian feudal lords until the late Middle Ages. Kanina has served for centuries both as a military fortress and a fortified city, as well as the feudal residence of Gjergj Aranti's family, the father of Donika Kastrioti. The Illyrian walls of the castle resemble the walls of Amantia, Byllis, and from the shape of the ruins, we can clearly distinguish a fortified town.

The favorable geographical position above the Vlora River valley and the roads that facilitate the connection between the coastal area and the interior of the country have made Kanina Castle one of the most important historical points of Albania, both as a fortress and as a feudal residence, also due to the favorable climate, fauna, and local traditions. The surrounding wall, which encloses the highest part of the hill, is 1 km long, has three fortified entrance gates with defensive towers, and the existing castle covers an area of 3.6 hectares. The castle had over 14 towers and several walls built at different times. Inside the enclosure, there were residential houses, buildings for the garrison, ammunition depots, water supply cisterns, as well as palaces, religious buildings such as churches and mosques, etc. From the main surrounding walls, three doors open, named by the locals as the Village Door to its south, the King's Door to the north, and the Bey's Door to the east. The castle also had one of the first clocks in one of its towers, that of Zejnel Pasha, which is still half-standing.

Where?

The Kanina Castle stands on a hill that contains the ruins of an old city, that of Kanina, located 6 km from the coastal city of Vlora.

Who?

Archaeological evidence clearly shows that the Illyrians, our ancestors, were the first to build the castle, which has been continuously inhabited ever since. The castle was later rebuilt, like many others, by Emperor Justinian and subsequently by other Albanian feudal lords until the late Middle Ages.

What?

Kanina has served over the centuries as a military fortress and a fortified city. It was also the residence of the Aranti family. The Illyrian walls of the castle resemble the construction techniques used in the walls of Amantia and Byllis. The shape of the ruins clearly indicates a fortified town.

Why?

The favorable geographical position overlooking the Vlora River valley and the roads connecting the coastal area with the country's interior made Kanina Castle one of the most important historical sites in Albania, both as a fortress and as a feudal residence. This was also due to the favorable climate, fauna, and local traditions.

How?

The surrounding wall, which encloses the highest part of the hill, is 1 km long. The castle had over 14 towers and several walls built at different times. Within the enclosure, there were residential houses, buildings for the garrison, ammunition depots, cisterns for water supply, as well as palaces, religious buildings such as churches and mosques, and more.

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