Lezhe is a small city, located in the northwest of Albania. Around 90 minutes drive from Tirana (depending on your observance of the speed limit) it is around 30 minutes from the city of Shkodra and a ten minute drive from the shores of Shengjin.
Dating back to at least the 8th century BCE, it was once known as Lissos- a name given to it by Dionysus I of Syracuse. Then came Illyrian rule, followed by its capture by Philip V of Macedon in 211 BCE. It was then recaptured by the Illyrians, and ruled by Gentius who defended it against persistent Roman attacks. Eventually, it fell to the Roman empire for some time and was a part of the province of Epirus Nova, going by the Latinised name of Lissus.
Over the following centuries, it fell into the hands of many different rulers before being chosen by Geroge Castrioti Skanderbeg in 1444 as a place where enemies of the Turks could congregate to plot their defence. It is considered as the site of the League of Lezhe where Skanderbeg united the Albanian princes against the threat of the Ottoman Empire.
Today, the city is home to just over 65,000 people who hail from all over the north of Albania. With large populations of people from Zadrima, Mirdita, and Malesia, it has a Catholic majority (70%) and a Muslim minority (30%).
View this post on InstagramLezhë Castle (Albanian:Kalaja e Lezhës) is a castle dominating the city of Lezhë, northern Albania. Its highest point is 186 metres high.The castle originates from Illyrian times. In 1440 it was reconstructed by the Venetians, and in 1522, after the Ottoman conquest, it was also rebuilt by the latter. The castle bears traces of Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. Interesting places to visit are the ruins of the Ottoman buildings inside the castle, the mosque, the tower of the south-eastern wall with a Roman arch, and the Illyrian tower on the southern wall. The Lezha castle is a cultural monument. The castle offers a beautiful view of the Lezha fields and the Adriatic Sea. @albaniaexplorer #lezhe #castle #lezhacastle #shqiperia #albania #keshtjella #historic #town #visitalbania #visit #view #discoveralbania #landscape #europe #earth #tourism #tourist #unesco #follow #holidays
Dominating the surrounding landscape is the castle of Lezhe that sits atop a mountain, 322 metres above the city. Dating back to Illyrian times, it was reconstructed in 1440 by the Venetians and again after the Ottoman conquest. The castle displays elements of Roman, Byzantine, Illyrian and Ottoman architecture.
View this post on InstagramHello #lezhe
Now, mainly in ruins, the trek to the summit is worth it for the utterly breathtaking 360 degree views of the mountains, plains, city, and ocean beyond. Bright coloured houses, a river that snakes through the lowlands and the railway with its slightly decrepit train chugging its way from Shkodra to Durres are all visible from the top.
The county of Lezhe and a small village just outside of the city, gave birth to one of the most influential cultural and literary figures of Albanian history. Gjergj Fishta was a teacher, priest, politician, poet and translator. He was the chairman of the commission of the Congress of Monastir which sanctioned the Albanian alphabet. His most famous body of work is the “Lahuta e Malcis” (The Highland Lute), an epic poem written in the Gheg dialect and containing 17,000 lines.
View this post on InstagramStunning Albanian textiles at @artistikezadrima #albania #visitalbania #visitbalkans #visitalbania #albaniantravel #balkantravel #travel #travelinspo #travelinspired #travelphotography #wanderlust #wanderlust_tribe #vado #nomad #explorealbania #exploringthebalkans #explore #thebalkanista #ilovealbania #albanianlife #beautifulcountryside #aweinspiring #voyager #summerholidays #textiles
When in Lezhe, there are a couple of must-sees. The castle is one, followed by a trip to the textile workshop of Tereze Gega.
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You should also take the short drive to one of Albania’s top restaurants and guesthouses, Mrizi i Zanave (make sure to book first), and check out Studio Qeramike Vasili nearby.
View this post on InstagramPermendorja e vendvarrimit te Gjergj Kastriotit - Skenderbeut. (Memorial at the burial place of Skanderbeg). Lezhë - Albania 🇦🇱 06.08.2011 #lezha #albania #shqiperia #skenderbeu #albanian #albanien #kosova #kosovo #visitalbania #travel #travelphotography #albania🇦🇱 #lezhacity #scanderbeg #gjergjkastrioti #bakistravel #explore #exploretheworld #explorer #travelgram #photography #traveltheworld #travelguide
Visit the memorial tomb of Skanderbeg, and keep your eyes peeled for gjyshe (elderly women) who dress in a completely unique way. You will notice they wear black trousers with a black dress over the top, reaching to the knees. Often they will have hair braided either side of their temples, and then swept underneath a black headscarf- this way of dressing is totally unique to the area.
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