Kaninë Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Kaninës) is a castle in the village Kaninë near Vlorë, in southwestern Albania.
| Kaninë Castle | |
|---|---|
Kalaja e Kaninës | |
| Kaninë, in southern Albania | |
 Entrance to the Castle | |
.svg)  Kaninë Castle | |
| Coordinates | 40°26′35″N 19°31′12″E / 40.443°N 19.52°E |
| Site information | |
| Owner |  Albania |
| Controlled by |  Byzantine Empire  Kingdom of Albania Principality of Valona  Republic of Venice Ottoman Empire Albania |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 3rd century BC, Reconstructed by Justinian I in the 6th century AD |
History
editKaninë Castle was built in the village with the same name which is located about 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Vlorë. The castle rises on the side of the Shushicë Mountain, about 380 metres (1,250 ft) above sea level. It was built on the site of an ancient settlement, one of the oldest in the Vlora region. The castle is believed to have been erected in the 3rd century B.C. In the 4th century A.D. the castle was transformed into a fortress town. In the 6th century A.D. the castle was reconstructed by Justinian I. The castle was the center of the Principality of Valona in the 14th century.[1][2]
The settlement covers an area of 3.6 hectares.
Gallery
edit-
Kaninë Castle from the South -
Kaninë Castle from the West -
Floor plan of Kaninë Castle, showing the positions of the Venetian army during the siege of 1690, and when Venice took the fortress from the Ottomans -
Drawings of the fortifications of Vlorë Castle and Kaninë Castle on the Bottom Right -
(Top) Kaninë Castle and (Bottom) Vlorë Castle
40°26′35″N 19°31′12″E / 40.443°N 19.520°E
  | This article about a castle in Albania is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |