Castle of Kruja Claimed

Krujë castle was built in the 5th or 6th century, perched above the city of the same name. At the time of the Ottoman threat, it was the headquarters of Gjergj Kastrioti, the “Dragon of Albania,” an Albanian nobleman and military commander. Kastrioti was sent as a hostage to the Ottoman court early in his life, and after leaving service, led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in Albania.

Under his command, the elliptical castle, defended by a small army usually no larger than 3,000 men, fought off multiple massive sieges from the Turks, beginning in 1444. Ottoman forces who conquered large areas like Constantinople and the Balkans could not break the castle’s defences.