Preza Fortress: A Window to Albania's Past

Preza Fortress, also known as Kalaja e Prezës, is a historical landmark located in the village of Prezë, Albania. The castle's construction began in the 14th century and was completed in the early 15th century, belonging to the local feudal Thopia family. However, some scholars believe that the castle was first built in the 3rd century BC. Throughout its history, the fortress has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, leading to its nickname, the 'City of Phoenix'. During the 15th century, it served as one of the core strongholds of Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire led by Skanderbeg. The fortress has been declared a 'monument of culture' in Albania. The castle has four towers, one in each corner. The clock tower was erected around 1800–50. The fortress offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Tirana plain, and is located close to Mother Teresa International Airport. Inside the castle, visitors can find a restaurant and other service facilities. The castle's strategic position was used for visual communication between the castles of Petrela, Kruja, Durrës, and Ishmi. The castle is shaped like an irregular pentagon with round towers at four of its corners and a rectangular tower near the middle of one of the walls.