Pranvera

As you drive through the winding mountain roads of northern Albania, you’ll pass one of the country’s largest historic villages called Krujë.This small village, located at the foot of the Albanian Alps, tells a rather rich history, as it is known as the base of the patriots and the epicentre of Albania from the Ottoman Empire. Explore the small centre as you wander around one of the country’s oldest bazaars and climb the rugged Kruja fortress at the top.

Once you reach the end of the bazaar, you can continue walking up to the top of the hill. Here, raised high, a strong ellipse-shaped fortress, a fortress contributes to the important importance of Kruja. It was once an operational base in the 15th century by Skanderbeg and his army of 3000 men, which makes Kruja Castle an interesting place to visit in Albania.

As you walk through the ruins alone, you can imagine how this was once the site of the Albanian part. It was here that Skenderbeu raised the Albanian flag for the first time and from which he and his army fought the Ottoman forces. Although the castle offers an impressive insight into the landscape of the region, it is worth a visit for the views alone. At 608 metres above sea level, you can see the village, the river and the mountains. If you look carefully, you can also spot Tirana and the Adriatic Sea from afar!

In the lower part of the castle, there are two museums that give a unique insight into the history and culture of Albania. As soon as you enter the premises, in the distance you will find the exterior of the National Museum of Skenderbeu and a little closer, the Ethnographic Museum of Kruja.

The first is one of the most popular museums in Albania, illustrating what the castle looked like and honouring the stories of Skenderbeu with beautiful murals and historical finds. The second museum lies inside a traditional Ottoman house and immerses itself in the Albanian lifestyle under Ottoman rule.