Lëkurësi Castle

Lëkurësi Castle is a ruined fortress perched on a strategic hilltop about one kilometer southeast of Sarandë in southern Albania. Constructed in 1537 under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent’s orders, the castle was designed to defend Ottoman territory against Venetian threats and housed a garrison of approximately 220 soldiers.

The castle’s architecture features an almost square layout with two round towers at opposite corners containing loopholes for defense. Its southern and eastern sections remain the best preserved today. The fortress’s elevated position provides commanding views over Sarandë, the ancient site of Butrint, the Straits of Corfu, and the nearby Ksamil islands, making it an ideal defensive stronghold.

The site has witnessed significant historical conflicts. In the late 18th century, Ali Pasha of Ioannina attacked the castle and raided surrounding settlements. More dramatically, between February 28 and March 4, 1878, the castle became the focal point of an Albanian-Greek battle during a Greek revolt. After fighting across several local villages, Greek rebels retreated to the castle where they were besieged by Albanian forces, ultimately resulting in an Albanian victory that ended the uprising.

A village called Lëkurës once existed on the hill’s western slope and was apparently more populous than Sarandë itself until the 19th century. Today, the ruins stand as a testament to the region’s complex Ottoman-era military history and the strategic importance of Albania’s southern coastline.