The Prezë Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Prezës) is a medieval castle in Prezë, Albania.

Prezë Castle
Kalaja e Prezës
Prezë  Albania
Prezë Castle is located in Albania
Prezë Castle
Prezë Castle
Coordinates41°25′52″N 19°40′19″E / 41.431°N 19.672°E / 41.431; 19.672
TypeCastle
Site information
Owner Albania
Controlled by Byzantine Empire
Principality of Arbanon
Kingdom of Albania
Principality of Albania
Principality of Kastrioti
League of Lezhë
 Ottoman Empire
 Albania
Open to
the public
Yes
Site history
Built550
Built byJustinian I
MaterialsStone
Garrison information
Current
commander
Njesia Administrative Prezë
Planimetry of Prezë Castle
Image of the Castle from the West Tower

Preza Castle was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great in the 550s.[citation needed]

The castle overlooks the village with the same name and is located on a hilltop. The castle was enlarged by a construction which started in the 14th century and was completed in the early 15th century and belonged to the Thopias, a local Albanian feudal family. During 1443-1468 it was one of the core strongholds of the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire led by Skanderbeg.

The castle has been declared a 'monument of culture'. It has four towers, one in each corner. The clock tower was erected around 1800–50. It is known for its beautiful location, overlooking the Tirana plain. The castle is quite close to the Mother Teresa International Airport. A restaurant named Kalaja E Prezës and other service facilities are found inside the castle.

See also

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41°25′52″N 19°40′19″E / 41.431°N 19.672°E / 41.431; 19.672