TUJANI CASTLE

tujan

This castle is the main prehistoric fortification in Central Albania. It is the most important monument of Illyrian architecture of the first period. Built on a conical hill, its cliffs border a slope that descends from the summit to the west. The castle or the settlement rebuilt on it is of late antiquity - early middle ages. In the list of castles rebuilt by Justinian, in the province of New Epirus, Prokopi also mentions a castle called Tyrkanos, identifiable with the ruins of the castle of Tujani. In front of the castle of Tujani there is also the church of Saint Mary of Brari and the Monumental Tomb of Skuraje, from the 10th-12th centuries AD. Another important historical element of the area is the Brari Bridge, at the entrance of Tujan village and as part of Arbri Street, which since ancient times has been the main road of the country next to Egnatia Street. Skanderbeg moved through this strategic road from Kruja to Petralbë (Petrelë).

Who?

Originally built by the Illyrians and then rebuilt by the emperor Roman Justinian I.

ilir
Where?

The castle of Tujan is located on the outskirts of Tirana, in the village of Tujan.

niveli tujan
What?

It is the most important monument of Illyrian architecture of the first period.

Why?

The castle had a protective character for the field of Tirana and the Arbri road. Also, the castle has also served as a residential center.

When?

The settlement is of Late Antiquity. Built on the earliest prehistoric ruins.

timeline tujan
Download the Guide
en_USEnglish