The rubble and ruins of Kaninë (Kanina) Castle lay on the outskirts of Vlora and overlook a large stretch of Albania’s coast.
Don’t be fooled by the name, the castle doesn’t have anything to do with sophisticated medieval dogs. Although, it’s not uncommon to see some canines walking about the grounds. It’s a place with spectacular views and a history that dates back to antiquity.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF KANINA CASTLE
Kanina was originally a secured settlement for the Amantes tribal community and played a strategic part in overseeing the Bay of Vlora. Later on, a castle was erected before eventually becoming a fortified town. Gradually throughout the Middle Ages it turned more towards being a religious complex.
The castle has seen its fair share of rulers, just like the region itself. It’s been a part of the Byzantine, Norman, Serbian, and Ottoman possessions. The latter forced the previous rulers to seek shelter on the nearby island of Corfu.
Interestingly enough, the former family of Ismail Qemali was said to have residence within Kanina. He is famous in Albanian history, and was one of the key figures in the secession of Albania from the Ottoman Empire. You’ll likely run across multiple monuments and artifacts of Ismail Qemali in the country. It’s also hard not to notice him whenever you make a purchase. After all, his face is depicted on the 500 Lek note (the Albanian currency).
Kanina has been reconstructed and repaired various times over the years. Most famously by the historic figure Justinian I in the early middle ages, and later by Sultan Sulejmani.
CURRENT DAY KANINA
The castle of Kanina has seen better days than its most recent state. It’s seen plenty of destruction through the years. Some of the incidents include the Venetian bombings of 1690, WWI bombing of the Italian Army and the 1920 War of Vlora.
Currently, it’s a place for tourism and local hangouts. While the structure isn’t much more than the walls and a few towers, there is still a large area to explore. A grassy field is located within the walls and there are ridiculously beautiful views of Vlora and the Mediterranean Sea.
Signs leading up to Kanina Castle state that entrance is 300 Lek (3 USD). However, when I visited there was nobody collecting money.
How to get there?
The castle is about 6 km (4 miles) from the center of Vlora. I personally walked along the Vlora – Kanina road to get there and it was much quicker than I expected. The hilltop is 379 meters above sea level, so the way up can be a bit tiring. But, it also means that the way down is both easy and quick.
Your other option is driving the road by car. If you have your own great! But, not everyone will have that option, so feel free to flag down a taxi. They normally hang out along Boulevard Ismail Qemali, Rruga Gjergj Kastrioti, or near the bus station.
Along with Zvernec Monastery, Kanina Castle is one of the most visited places around Vlora. When you get sick of lounging on the beaches, make a trip up to the historic castle for panoramic views of the region.
