Overview:

Biza Castle is an old castle located in the city of Gjirokastër, in southern Albania. It was built in the early 15th century during the time of the Ottoman Empire. The castle is composed of a large stone building with several towers and walls. It is filled with many historical artifacts, from old coins to weapons. The castle was used as a military defense in the past, but now it is open to the public for tours and cultural events. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

1. Biza Castle is an impressive fortification located on a hilltop overlooking the city of Gjirokastër in Albania. 2. The castle was built in the 13th century and has an irregular oval shape with towers on four corners. 3. It has four towers, one in each corner, that are connected by walls. 4. The portcullis entrance leads into the courtyard where there is a cistern and a chapel. 5. Inside, there are cells, rooms, corridors, and two wells. 6. At the highest point, a three-level double-arched building offers a magnificent panorama over the city. 7. The building served as the residence of Ali Pasha, an Albanian Ottoman governor, in the early 19th century. 8. Impressive views of the city can be enjoyed from the four battlements. 9. Biza Castle was declared a National Monument of Culture in 1948. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

Biza Castle, located in the southern Albanian city of Gjirokastër, is a renowned fortress of medieval origin that has been standing since the 15th century. The fortress was initially constructed as a defensive structure against the invading Ottoman forces, and it has been extensively modified throughout the intervening centuries. The first reference to the castle was a description by the Turkish traveler Evliya Celebi in 1660, who remarked positively on the fort's protective walls. It is likely that the castle was built in the late 15th century as an extension of the existing fortifications around the city. During the 17th century, Biza Castle served as an important defensive point against the Ottomans, as several wars were fought in its vicinity. In the 18th century, the Christian inhabitants of Gjirokastër followed a retreating Ottoman army and managed to reclaim the castle. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle underwent major renovations, with new additions like an independent entrance gate and a modern barracks. The castle is now a museum that is open to the public, and it is one of the main tourist attractions in Gjirokastër. In 2008, Biza Castle was declared a cultural monument of national importance in Albania, and it continues to have a prominent place in the city's history and culture. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Biza Castle, also known as the Castle of Gjirokastër or Qalca e Gjirokastrës, is an imposing medieval castle located in the city of Gjirokastër, Albania. 2. The castle itself is thought to have been built at some point between the 13th and 14th centuries, although its exact origin is not known. 3. Biza Castle is perched on top of a hill and offers impressive views of the city below. 4. The castle's inner walls, known as 'katorgari', are especially impressive, consisting of long corridors and crypts. 5. In 1979, Biza Castle was proclaimed a Museum of Weapons, displaying an extensive array of firearms, swords, and traditional Albanian weapons. 6. In 2013, the castle was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage List. 7. The castle is made up of five different towers, and the height of the tower is more than 30 meters. 8. In the basement of the castle is an old bullfighting ring where local populat4ion holds a bullfighting event every year called “Festa e Gjirë” (The festival of the Bull). 9. During World War II, the castle served as a prison and a place for torture. 10. Biza Castle is said to have hosted 500 graves, mainly those of war prisoners who lost their lives in the two wars. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era