Kanine Castle - Kalaja e Kaninës

Kanine Castle - Kalaja e Kaninës, Kanine, Vlore County, Republic of Albania.

   Kanina Castle is located 6 km from the city of Vlora. References to the castle date back to the 4th century. However, traces of its construction have also been found in the Illyrian period. It is believed to have been built in the 3rd century. Later traces date back to the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods. The castle was rebuilt by Justinian in the 5th century and restored by Sultan Suleiman in 1531. The castle rises on a hill 380 meters above sea level. Its area covers 3.6 hectares and offers a beautiful view of Vlora and its bay.

   The fortified town of Kanina was built here beginning in the 4th century BC. Several construction phases are distinguished within the fortification system, spanning two periods: classical and medieval.

   Remnants of the Illyrian wall, traces of which have been found on all sides of the castle, survive from the classical period. The Illyrian wall utilized the "square isodomy" system.

   In late antiquity, the surrounding castle walls were reconstructed. Here we see a wall constructed using the "opus mixtum" technique.

   The medieval period, both early and late, is characterized by reconstructions and repairs of the surrounding walls. During the medieval periods, the wall was constructed primarily from medium-sized undressed stones and reused ancient blocks, bonded with lime mortar. Fortifications with towers of various shapes have been preserved within the surrounding medieval walls.

   In addition to the fortification wall, structural walls have been discovered throughout the castle's interior. Although damaged, these walls allow us to document traces of the layout and gain insight into the form of dwellings in this center in antiquity. Other structural elements, such as paved streets, canals, and terraces, have also been discovered within the castle's interior.

Source: https://vlora.gov.al/turizem/informacion-per-vizitoret/