The Castle of Paleokastro

The Paleokastrës Castle is located in the village of Paleokastrës, in the Gjirokastrës district, near the confluence of the Drino River and the Kardhiq River. Built during late antiquity, in the 4th–6th centuries AD, it is an important monument of historical and archaeological heritage and holds the status of a Category I Cultural Monument. The fortification has a trapezoidal shape, extends over an area of about 0.915 hectares and is surrounded by walls reinforced with 14 towers of various shapes. The Paleokastrës Castle dates back to the late 3rd and early 4th centuries AD. It was originally built as a military fortification and, after its destruction in 378, was rebuilt in the 5th century, when a Paleochristian basilica was also built within the walls. Life in this settlement continued until the end of the 6th century.

The strategic position and defensive architecture make Paleokastra a point of interest for discovering the history and cultural heritage of the Drino Valley.