Preza Castle rises on a rocky hill overlooking the Tirana plain. Its position gave the fortress a strategic view of the important economic and military routes that once crossed the area.
The castle follows a rectangular plan, measuring about 80 by 50 meters. Four circular towers strengthen its corners, while additional rectangular towers protect the western wall and the main entrance on the southern side.
The fortress went through four main construction phases. Builders first erected the surrounding walls and defensive towers. Later, they rebuilt parts of the fortifications and added structures inside the castle. A clock tower came much later and served a different purpose.
Historical sources provide important clues about Preza’s origins. The historian Marin Barleti mentioned the settlement while describing the Ottoman campaigns and the siege of Krujë. He referred to Preza as a town that had already fallen into ruins.
A later report from 1570 described the reconstruction of the castle by the Ottomans. However, Barleti’s earlier account suggests that the fortress had already suffered major destruction before that period.
Historians believe the castle may date to the early 15th century, possibly when the Topia family controlled the area. Its relatively small size suggests that it served mainly as a strategic observation point rather than a major military stronghold.
The Albanologist and explorer Johann Georg von Hahn also described Preza during his travels through the region. He noted its position at the highest point of a hill range between two valleys and recorded local traditions linking the area to an ancient settlement.
Today, Preza Castle remains one of the historic landmarks overlooking the Tirana plain. Its walls, towers and commanding position preserve the memory of a fortress that once watched over one of the region’s key routes.
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