| Duration: | 4 Hour(s) - 0 Minute(s) |
| Tour Category: | Half Day Tour |
The historic town of Kruja is located 32 km northwest of Tirana and 20 minutes by car from the International Airport of Rinas. From Barbullush to Kruja it is a one-and-a-half-hour drive. Kruja is a medieval town, though it was mentioned for the first time as a Christian religious center in the year 879. Later on, Kruja became the most important town of the Topiaj Feudal Family and the capital of the Arberia Principate.
The Ottomans occupied Kruja two times, in 1396 and 1415. After the revered National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti (Scanderbeg) returned from Turkey in 1443 Kruja became the symbol of the popular resistance against the Ottoman Empire and was famous all over Europe for its resistance.
Today the town of Kruja rises 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sari–Salltiku mountain. It provides visitors with a great view of majestic landscapes and a rich collection of historical and cultural objects.
The most important is the castle of Kruja, which was built during the 5th and 6th centuries and has an elliptical shape with a total area of 2,25 hectares. The surrounding walls are reinforced by nine towers, which served as an observation and signaling post during times of war. Within the walls of the castle, there can still be found the remains of a few houses.
The Gjergj Kastrioti (Scanderbeg) Museum is located inside the castle and is dedicated to his deeds courage and bravery to protect Albania from the Ottoman invasion. Inside the castle, there is also the Ethnographic Museum.
An attractive medieval-type bazaar is also located in the town of Kruja. Its main peculiarities are that all the shops are made of wood. Here tourists can buy traditional handicrafts such as filigree, alabaster, silver, copper, wooden-made objects, wool carpets, and other interesting items.
Having visited the town you can rest and have lunch at one of the many traditional restaurants situated along the Old Bazaar street, or in a characteristic house on the top of the castle while spending the night at the “Skenderbeu” and “Panorama” hotels in the town center of Kruja. We visit the Skanderbeg Museum, inside the Castle, and the medieval Bazaar on the way to the castle with traditional handicrafts such as filigree, alabaster, and copper ....all the shops are made of wood.
Departure from Your hotel with English speaking guide.
