Elbasan Castle

Elbasan Castle
Kalaja e Elbasanit
Elbasan, Albania
Elbasan Castle
Elbasan Castle
Coordinates	41°06′47″N 20°04′48″E / 41.113°N 20.080°E / 41.113; 20.080
Type	Castle
Site information
Owner	Albania
Controlled by	Ottoman Empire  Albania
Open to the public	Yes
Site history
Built	4rd century

Elbasan Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Elbasanit) is a 15th-century fortress in the city of Elbasan, Albania.^[1]

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).^[2] 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.^[3][4]

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.^[5] It consisted of 26 equidistant 9-metre (30 ft) 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.

• 
  Inside of the Castle.
• 
  The southern gate of the Elbasan Castle with the Two Lion Fountains.

• Elbasan
• List of castles in Albania
• Tourism in Albania

• Winnifrith, Tom (1992). Perspectives On Albania. Springer. ISBN 978-1-349-22050-2.