Petrela Castle is located on a rocky hill at an altitude of 400 m above sea level. Since ancient times, this fortress controlled the crossroads of economic and military importance which passed near by, as Via Egnatia (Durres-Tirana-Elbasan branch), which for the time was of particular importance.
The buildings are belonging to different periods, whichbased on the construction techniques and overlapping is divided into several stages.
This castle has triangular shape and its perimeter does not exceed 100 meters.In the corner there are two circular towers, while the third, because of the steep cliff is not built a tower.
Petrela Castle has gone through several construction and demolition.
It thought that was built in the late antique (III-IV century AD) and was rebuilt again during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565).
It took a special significance in the XI century in the battles between the Normans and Byzantines.
At the beginning of XIV century belonged to the feudal family of Topia, who at that time were masters of the territory between Mat and Shkumbin River.
In the fifteenth century, Petrela was first most important after Kruje Castle, which was besieged and conquered by Skanderbeg.
Petrela Castle was one of the centers that faced the Ottoman conquest until the last years of Skanderbeg life./Oculus News