Elbasan Castle
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Elbasan Castle
| native_name = Kalaja e Elbasanit
| partof =
| image = Elbasan Castle, Elbasan, Albania October 2022.jpg
| caption = Elbasan Castle
| map_type = Albania
| map_size = 180
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| type = Castle
| coordinates = {{coord|41.113|20.080|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| code =
| built = 4th century
| builder =
| materials =
| height =
| used =
| demolished =
| condition =
| ownership = {{ALB}}
| controlledby = {{flag|Ottoman Empire}}
{{flag|Albania}}
| garrison =
| current_commander =
| commanders =
| occupants =
| battles =
| events =
| open_to_public = Yes
}}
Elbasan Castle ({{langx|sq| Kalaja e Elbasanit}}) is a 15th-century fortress in the city of Elbasan, Albania.{{Cite web |url=http://elbasani.8m.com/ |title=Virtual Albania Online© - Elbasani |access-date=2008-02-25 |archive-date=2019-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623085625/http://elbasani.8m.com/ |url-status=dead }}
History
The original fortification was built during the 4th century, theorized after the Gothic invasions of Illyria in 378 AD. It was initially composed of three meter thick walls in a rectangular shape (c. 348 by 308m).{{Sfn|Winnifrith|1992|p=47}} The surrounding region showed evidence of considerable agricultural activity during the Roman period. A second period of settlement is noticed up until the 6th century, the decline of which corresponds with the Slavic invasions.{{Sfn|Winnifrith|1992|p=48}}{{cite web|url=https://ermakvagus.com/Europe/Albania/elbasan.html|date=2022 |title=Elbasan Castle}}
The Elbasan Castle was restored under orders of Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire. Due to the short time it took to be completed, it is noted that the restoration made use of the pre-existing fortification considerably.{{Cite book |last=Babinger |first=Franz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPxC6rO7vvsC&dq=elbasan+castle+ottoman&pg=PA253 |title=Mehmed the Conqueror and His Time |date=1978 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-01078-6 |language=en}} It consisted of 26 equidistant {{convert|9|m|ft|adj=on}} high towers, and part of Via Egnatia passes through the castle.
Sinan Pasha's Turkish bath is within the walls of the castle. It is a well-preserved attraction built in the early 19th century.
Gallery
File:Kalaja ne Elbasan.jpg|Inside of the Castle.
File:Elbasan, Albania, Castle 2013 02.jpg|The southern gate of the Elbasan Castle with the Two Lion Fountains.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{Cite book|last=Winnifrith|first=Tom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDywCwAAQBAJ|title=Perspectives On Albania|date=1992|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-349-22050-2|language=en}}
{{Castles in Albania}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 15th century
Category:Buildings and structures in Elbasan