After a delicious breakfast served by Anna, the daughter-in-law of the owner, we packed our bags and left them with her so we could visit the castle. Breakfasts in Albania are normally cakes, breads and pastries, but none offer gluten free options, which is perhaps a good thing because I would be piling on the pounds. There is always a great variety of fruit and yoghurt though plus freshly made omelettes, so I didn’t starve.
Of course it was another uphill slog, but what castle worth its salt is not at the top of a hill. Gjirokaster Castle has a fascinating and also rather grim history, especially so in Hoxha’s reign. King Zog ruled Albania from 1928 until he was ousted by Mussolini in 1939. Zog was also known as a cruel dictator. Hoxha reigned from 1944 until he was toppled in 1992. It was a long and terrible time for Albanian people as we found out by visiting the castle.
There was a resistance movement during Hoxha’s reign but any opposition to the harsh rules were met with severe retribution, including internal exile, long-term imprisonment and execution. During his forty-year reign, the Albanian leader banned religion, forbade travel and outlawed private property.
The castle is also known as “The Seven Windows Prison” of which there are five below. The guards used to go into these cells each morning and bang iron frames on the windows to check they were secure. The noise rang out over the villages below as a reminder there was no escape.
We opted also to have a walk around the museum which was an added cost, but the price was minimal and it seemed empty. In here we learnt so much more about the history and the horrors that went on, quite sobering to read. It was interesting to note that not much is written about Hoxha and what photo they did have, his face was scratched out.
It is said that the castle was originally built in the 4th century, it is the largest castle in Albania. I’m always drawn to castles because of their history and Anthony enjoys a walk around a museum reading every word printed, always adding to his extensive knowledge.
Our next destination is along the coast, part of the Albanian Riviera. There are no highways across Albania – East to West only North to South – so there is much backtracking or I have simply not planned the route well. As Anthony has no clue about where we are headed next, he won’t realise, I just tell him the planned itinerary for that day, very exciting for him!
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Some visits are horrifying but I think it’s important not to shy away from them.
Absolutely agree…we need to be aware of man’s potential inhumanity to man
Very true Anabel, you always think these things happened hundreds of years ago but that it’s so recent is more shocking
Great to have such a compliant man, Alison. I have to do all the planning or we’d never go anywhere, but if it goes wrong, it’s my fault. Sounds like Albania was a good choice for you.
Thanks Jo, It was actually Anthony’s choice but he leaves everything up to me, and if it’s not up to scratch then he has something to say 😂
haha Jo and Ali, it seems like our partners are all the same. We would never leave if I depend on Jack to plan things.
Exactly!
🤣🤣🤣
You would think that reading of Hoxha’s reign, him and his cohorts living in absolutely luxury at the expense of an oppressed population, would be enough to turn anyone against communism and totalitarianism. But it isn’t, unfortunately.
That’s what we discussed too, Albania has such a diverse history.
Anthony is like Glen. He reads every word too. I’ve learned to live with it. 😁
I end up in other parts and have to go back and look for him!
Me too!
How amazing to get to see a castle from the 4th century still so well preserved. Beautiful!
The historical sites in Albania were amazing