Kruja Fortress

This is the fortress atop the ridge above Kruja (see another post) that dates to the 5th or 6th century. The Albanian hero, Sanderbeu, used this fortress as the heart of his rebellion against the Ottoman empire in the 15th century. They survived 3 massive sieges by the Ottomans, and the castle didn't fall until 10 years after Sanderbeu's death.
The 2nd picture looks up the road to the main gate that is the tunnel is in the 2nd picture.
The 3rd picture is the minaret and ruins of the Ottoman era mosque dedicated to Mehmed, the sultan who finally took the fortress. The 4th picture looks down the tunnel of another gate to the fortress. The 5th picture looks under a recent arch to the original walls. The arch supports the access to the old church that is still being refurbished after a recent earthquake. The last picture looks up through some of the new plantings to the rugged mountains behind the castle.Read more