Rozafa Castle: A witness of the mother’s sacrifice

If you still haven’t heard of Rozafa castle and its famous legend then you haven’t heard anything about Albania. This castle is considered both a witness of sacrifice and a long history dating back to Illyrian tribes.

Positioned between the Buna and Drin rivers, and built at the top of the hill, Rozafa’s purpose was to defend the entrance to the city and lake Shkodër. 

View from Rozafa Castle, Photo: Adria.fun

Being one of the most important historical, cultural, and oldest monuments in Albania, Rozafa Castle has to have its legend. A legend of sacrifice.

The story behind it brings us to its creation when three brothers decided to build a city on the top of the hill where they could have the best view of what was going on around it and protect its city.

Rozafa Castle, Photo: Adria.fun

In every attempt to build a castle, it would always collapse. About this matter, they consulted an old wise man who told them that to keep the walls up, they must sacrifice one of their wives and not tell them about it. A wife that first brings food must be buried alive in the walls. Once they arrived back home two older brothers told their wives about this, while the youngest kept quiet.

The next day, the only wife that brought food was Rozafa, the wife of the youngest. After he told her about the sacrifice, she agreed but with a request. As they had a little boy who still needed his mother, Rozafa requested that her right eye, right hand, right foot, and right breast remain untouched. All she wanted was to feed her child and for him to be able to see her, hoping that the castle would flourish and her son to become a hero one day.

Betim Konjuhi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

There are indeed more legends about this castle however, this one stuck the most. There is a belief that it is also connected to the times of the Roman Empire that passed through this area and named it after Al Resafa, a city in today’s Syria.  No matter which story is actually true, this stunning castle is a perfect example of keeping them all alive.

Rozafa Castle, Photo: Adria.fun

Traced all the way back to the 4th century, Rozafa Castle was occupied by many. In the early ages by Illyrians, Slavs, and Byzantines and later Ottoman Empire. All of them left their own remarks.

This is why today, within the walls of the castle, you can find three levels of the courtyard, administrative buildings, storage rooms, tombs, mosque, secret exits, and watch towers.

Today, in addition to the story and history left behind, you will come across many events and a buzzing atmosphere throughout the year. Of course, once you climb the city walls, and walk through a 3.6 ha area, you will seek a refreshing drink or a delicious ice cream, but you shouldn’t worry about this. Bar and Restaurant Rozafa and its staff will gladly take care of that for you.

Now when you know the whole story of Rozafa, make sure to go check it out yourself. A visit to this castle is a crucial part of the Albanian itinerary.