Rozafa Castle

Rozafa Castle, also known as Shkodër Castle, is a castle in northern Albania near the city of Shkodër. It is 130 meters (430 feet) above sea level on a rocky hill flanked by the Buna and Drin rivers. Shkodër is the county seat and one of Albania’s oldest and most historic towns, as well as a significant cultural and economic center.

The hill has been inhabited since antiquity due to its advantageous position. During the reign of the Labeates and Ardiaei, whose capital was Scodra, it was an Illyrian fortress.

Gentius, the Illyrian monarch, gathered his troops in Scodra during the Third Illyrian War. Gentius withdrew inside the city after being assaulted by a Roman force headed by L. Anicius Gallus, thinking that his brother Caravantius would arrive at any time with a strong relief army, but this did not happen. Gentius despatched two notable tribal chiefs, Teuticus and Bellus, as envoys to the Roman commander after his loss. Gentius surrendered to the Romans on the third day of the ceasefire, was taken into captivity, and carried to Rome. Gentius’ wife, queen Etuta, his brother Caravantius, his sons Scerdilaidas and Pleuratus, as well as prominent Illyrians, were taken by the Roman army north of Scutari Lake at Meteon.

Albanians have passed down a well-known narrative about sacrificing a female victim and imprisoning her in order to create a facility, which is linked to the construction of the Rozafa Castle.