Delvinë Castle

Delvinë Castle, locally known as Kalaja e Delvinës, lies in the village of the same name, in the county of Vlorë in Albania.

When and by whom Delvinë Castle was built is unknown. Based on its construction techniques, it was probably founded in the 11th/12th century and got its final form in the 13th/14th century. The castle was visited by the Ottoman explorer Evliya Çelebi around 1670. According to him, the castle had 2 metal gates, a mosque, a cistern, and a warehouse.

I could not find any historical information about the castle. It is thought to have been in Venetian hands before the Ottomans occupied it.

The castle was built on a rocky hilltop. From this strategic position, it could control the valley below and the mountain pass. Its plan is somewhat elliptical and follows the shape of the hill. There is a ruined mosque next to it. Within the castle are a couple of concrete structures and what appear to be emplacements for anti-aircraft guns. These were built between the 1960s and 1980s, when Albania was a communist state.

Delvinë Castle is freely accessible. There is not much left of the castle, so it is not very interesting. There are no clear paths to it, so you'll have to make a short hike through the shrubs from the nearest road. It is now home to a flock of goats.

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