The castle was built by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (r. 491–518), who came from Durrës (ancient Dyrrhachium). At the time, Anastasius made the city one of the most fortified cities on the Adriatic. The ancient walls were devastated in an earthquake in 1273, and had to be extensively repaired. Currently the medieval walls stand at nearly 15 feet (4.6 meters) in height and the three entrances of some of the fortification towers are preserved in nearly one-third of the original length of the city walls. The castle was reinforced with several guard towers by the Republic of Venice and during the period of rule in Albania by the Ottoman Empire the wall was reinforced. Content is available under CC BY-SA 3.0

Cool tower in town to bad it was closed.

Beautiful imposing tower in the heart of Durres. You can't miss it when you are along the seafront. Opposite the tower is an amazing poseidon statue and keep going towards the sea the promenade. With food and drink options.

History in it's glory, slowly fading away and jus some remaining walls left so definitely a sight to visit when you are here in Durrëm.

Durrës Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Durrësit) is the fortified old city of Durres, Albania. It is enclosed by city walls built in the late 5th century, and repaired and reinforced in the Middle Ages and early modern periods.

Just a free tower view. Wall is all damage. It’s a shame it’s not kept in better condition. I blame the earthquake they had a few years ago. It’s a lovely city.

Nice part of a castle near to the see. If you have a walk and passing by that is a nice place to see for minute or two. We stopped by on our way to promenade.

Recently done up to include VR experiences and a projected light show inside. Lots of history which is explained via an audio guide you can listen to on your phone. Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance.

The Tower of Durrës, known locally as the "Torra e Durrësit," is a remarkable relic of the city's rich history and strategic significance. This imposing structure, which dates back to the Venetian rule in the 15th century, commands attention with its robust stone walls and cylindrical design. Climbing to the top offers panoramic views of the city, its picturesque coastline, and the Adriatic Sea beyond. The tower's interior houses a small museum, providing visitors with insights into its historical context and the city's maritime heritage. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, or simply seeking a stunning vantage point, the Tower of Durrës is a must-visit destination that encapsulates the enduring allure of this coastal city.

Great sample of an ancient architecture that allows you feel how old this city is.

Ancient history and technology - the past meets the present and the future. What a wonderful combination! You will love it!

The Venetian Tower is not that towering. Still, if you're walking nearby, why not take a look at the tower and a section of very old 10-metre wall?

The only wall and 2 towers left. The houses and hotels are built-in in the main wall.

Nice, modern town.. acceptable prices for food, drinks... Not too crowded, but not empty also... Pleasent people ..

Great

Nothing much, really. If you come only to see the castle well it’s not worth it. However, if you come to go around the place that will be ok,, there is some cafes and restaurants and the beach is just near. It’s next to the old mosque so you can walk from the castle to the mosque and vis versa.

You can read it about it online to understand its role in its days, there is no much to see , but to read and know

(Translated by Google) One of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean zone has a history that goes back to the roots of ancient times. Or the first known inhabitants of this area were Taulanci - Illyrian tribe that settled on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in 13-11 century before our era. Some researchers believe that the name of the city comes from the name of one of the chiefs of the tribe - Dirra. In 627 BC, the lands of Taulants were captured by Greek displaced people, emigrants from Corinth and Corfu. Therefore, there is another version regarding the name of the city, according to which Durres is a distorted word compound Dyrrhachion, which in Greek meant "terrible rocky shore". In ancient Greek times, Durres was called Epidamnos and it was a commercial policy, but when in 220 BC The Romans conquered the town, its name was again changed to the Latinized - Dyrrakhion. Durres was a large enough well-known Roman colony, because it was here that Via Egnatia originated, connecting Roman Illyria with Thrace and Macedonia. For the safety of residents and travelers Dyrrakhion city had its own fortifications, but to this day they have not survived. It is possible that fragments of Roman fortifications were later included in the city wall complex, erected by the Byzantine ruler Anastasius I called Dikoros in the 6th century AD. This ruler, native, Dyrrakhion transformed into one of the most fortified cities in the Western Balkans. The complex urban fortifications consisted of two parts: the Acropolis or the Upper Castle and the Lower Castle. Soon, the city's fortifications of Dyrrachium had the opportunity to actually prove their power: during the great migration of peoples at the end of the 5th century, the city was besieged by the Visigoth king Theodoric the Great, and in subsequent centuries these lands were often besieged by the Bulgarian state's army. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city remained under the control of the Byzantine Empire and was an important port, through which held the relations between Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire. In the 11-12 century, the city no longer flourished as it did in late antiquity, but was still considered to be an important strategic fortification and was the location of the metropolitan cathedral. In "Aleksjada", a historical work written by Byzantine Princess Anna Komnena, contains a description of the castle fortifications of Durres from this period. Walls reached 12 meters in height and were so wide that the top militant gallery could gallop jednocześnie.Na four horsemen of the early 13th century, after the fourth Crusade, the city was under the control of the Venetian Republic, which formed the Principality of Durazzo here. In 1273 it suffered during a strong earthquake, after which the rebuilding of the Castle of Durres and its defensive walls took place. In this period the city for several decades belonged to the owners of Epirus Despotatu dynasty Comnenus Dukas, who ran a constant struggle for Durres with the rulers of Sicily. Was in 1278, Charles I of Anjou, King of Naples, Sicily and Albania gained control of the city, which eventually become his companions began, the Albanian feudal lords of the House of Thopia. Their residence was located in the Upper Castle, which connect to the system through the Lower Castle fortifications and two gates. In 1392, the Republic of Venice again restored a Durazzo, which has become an important part of the region "AlbaniaVeneta" (Venetian Albania) and belonged to the Venetians until the early 16th century. When the Venetians old Byzantine fortifications were rebuilt and reinforced defensive towers. Part of the city's territory and the castle were protected by defensive walls with several fortified gates: Knight's Gate, Great Gate, Sea Gate and others. In 1466 Castle in Durres unsuccessfully besieged the army of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. After nearly half a century, when Sultan Bayezid II, after all won the last Venetian possessions in Dalmatia, Durres for more than four hundred years under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. (Original) Jedno z najstarszych miast Strefy Śródziemnomorskiej posiada historię sięgającą korzeniami zamierzchłych czasów. Pierwszymi względnie znanymi mieszkańcami tych okolic byli Taulanci – iliryjskie plemię, które osiedliło się na brzegach Adriatyku w 13-11 wieku przed nasza erą. Niektórzy badacze uważają, że nazwa miasta pochodzi od imienia jednego z wodzów plemienia – Dirra. W 627 roku przed naszą erą ziemie Taulantów zostały zdobyte przez greckich przesiedleńców, wychodźców z Koryntu i Korfu. W związku z tym istnieje jeszcze jedna wersja dotycząca nazwy miasta, zgodnie z którą Durres – to przeinaczony związek wyrazowy Dyrrhachion, co po grecku oznaczało «okropny, skalisty brzeg». Za czasów pradawnych Greków Durres zwało się Epidamnos i był to handlowy polis, lecz gdy w latach 220 przed n.e. Rzymianie zdobyli miasto, to jego nazwa ponownie została zmieniona na zlatynizowane – Dyrrachium. Durres było dostatecznie wielką dobrze znaną rzymską kolonią, ponieważ tu miała swój początek Via Egnatia, łącząca rzymską Ilirię z Tracją i Macedonią. Dla bezpieczeństwa mieszkańców i podróżników miasto Dyrrachium posiadało własne fortyfikacje, lecz do czasów obecnych one nie dotrwały. Niewykluczone, że fragmenty rzymskich umocnień zostały później włączone do kompleksu muru miejskiego, wzniesionego przez bizantyńskiego władcę Anastazjusza I zwanego Dikoros w 6 wieku naszej ery. Władca ten, tubylec, przekształcił Dyrrachium w jedno z najlepiej ufortyfikowanych miast Bałkanów Zachodnich. Kompleks miejskich umocnień składał się z dwóch części: Akropolu bądź Zamku Górnego oraz Zamku Dolnego. Wkrótce miejskie umocnienia Dyrrachium miały okazję w rzeczywistości udowodnić swą potęgę: w czasie wielkiej wędrówki ludów pod koniec 5 wieku miasto zostało oblężone przez króla Wizygotów Teodoryka Wielkiego, а w kolejnych wiekach ziemie te nierzadko oblegane były przez wojska państwa bułgarskiego. Po upadku Imperium Rzymskiego miasto pozostało pod kontrolą Cesarstwa Bizantyńskiego i było ważnym portem, za sprawą którego odbywały się relacje pomiędzy Europą Zachodnią a Cesarstwem Bizantyńskim. W 11-12 wieku miasto nie kwitło już tak, jak w czasach późnego antyku, lecz nadal uważane było za ważne strategiczne ufortyfikowanie i było miejscem rozmieszczenia katedry metropolity. W «Aleksjadzie», dziele historycznym napisanym przez bizantyńską księżniczkę Annę Komnenę, mieści się opis zamkowych umocnień Durres z tego okresu. Mury obronne osiągały 12 metrów wysokości i były tak szerokie, że po szczycie bojowej galerii mogli galopować czterej jeźdźcy jednocześnie.Na początku 13 wieku, po IV wyprawie krzyżowej, miasto znalazło się pod kontrolą Republiki Weneckiej, która tworzyła tu Księstwo Durazzo. W 1273 roku ucierpiało w czasie silnego trzęsienia ziemi, po którym miała miejsce odbudowa Zamku w Durres wraz z jego murami obronnymi. W okresie tym miasto już od kilku dziesięcioleci należało do właścicieli Despotatu Epiru z dynastii Dukas Komnen, którzy prowadzili nieustanne walki o Durres z władcami Sycylii. W 1278 roku Karol I Andegaweński, król Neapolu, Sycylii i Albanii uzyskał władzę nad miastem, którym ostatecznie władać zaczęli jego towarzysze, albańscy feudałowie z rodu Thopia. Ich rezydencja mieściła się w Zamku Górnym, który łączył się z Zamkiem Dolnym dzięki systemowi obiektów obronnych i dwóch bram. W 1392 roku Republika Wenecka ponownie przywróciła sobie Durazzo, które stało się ważną częścią regionu «AlbaniaVeneta» (Albania Wenecka) i należało do Wenecjan aż do początku 16 wieku. Przy Wenecjanach stare bizantyńskie umocnienia zostały przebudowane i wzmocnione wieżami obronnymi. Część miejskiego terytorium oraz zamek znajdowały sie pod ochroną murów obronnych, posiadających kilka ufortyfikowanych bram: Brama Rycerska, Brama Wielka, Brama Morska i inne. W 1466 roku Zamek w Durres bezskutecznie oblegało wojsko osmańskiego sułtana Mehmeda II. Po upływie niemal pół wieku, kiedy to sułtan Bajazyd II mimo wszystko zdobył ostatnie weneckie posiadłości w Dalmacji, Durres na czterysta lat przeszło pod władzę Imperium Osmańskiego.

A piece of history in which you may enjoy a quiet drink overlooking the Volga. Great for a sunset in the warmer months. Prices slightly higher than most Albanian places but still very economical by Western standards. Shame they do not have a food menu.

Nothing special. And now 2022 you will not see the tower because of the renovation.

(Translated by Google) A clean, hot, delicious dinner I recommend (Original) Czysto , gorąco,pyszny obiad polecam

(Translated by Google) Well preserved fortress (Original) Dobro očuvana tvrđava

(Translated by Google) So cute (Original) Muy lindo

We had a drink here to take in the view. View is ok, you get to see the port and some of the waterfront sites. Stay away from the "smoothie". It's just milk with a sickly sweet syrup 😷

(Translated by Google) Our buildings don't last long (Original) Nasze budynki tyle nieprzeyja

(Translated by Google) Unique object. Unfortunately in full shade and not at all functional. (Original) Objekt unik. Fatkeqesisht ne hije te plote dhe aspak funksional.

(Translated by Google) Nice place (Original) Fajne miejsce

(Translated by Google) All is well in Albania (Original) הכל טוב באלבניה

Such an interesting place! I really enjoyed the view and beautiful projections. And also the woman that works there is very kind and ready to answer questions. Love from Poland 💕

Beautiful

(Translated by Google) Γμτ🔥🔥 (Original) Γμτ🔥🔥

The best tourist attraction in Durres with the amphitheatre.

great place to visit.

As of date of posting the Tower is under restoration

Interesting historical place to visit

good place to start visiting the town; nice view if you go up; there is a coffee inside...

Nice view, nice personnel, good eating and drinking location. Excellent pricing.

Lovely place and historical building, but they turned such a historic place into a bar, which in my opinion is quite sad. Positive side, the staff is friendly, so you can see it.

Cool place

Old but gold tower

Beautiful remain of past, close to go inside nowadays.

Unfortunately, the real estate fever that has take over Albania does not take into account any principle. Thats the reason why part of the city's history was uninspired embedded in the "modern" urban jungle.

Good drinks to a great price at a nice location.

Beautiful view whilst having a few beers. Pricey though

Super

?☀️?

Part of the walls that used to encircle the city includes the Venetian Tower built in the 15th century as part of the defense from the Ottoman Empire. It's in very good shape. There's a cafe located inside it now and you can climb the very steep steps carefully to see the view from up top and enjoy a drink while you're up there.

(Translated by Google) A very beautiful place (Original) Shum vend i bukur

(Translated by Google) Worth to see (Original) Warto zobaczyć

Completely closed off right now. Covered in tarp all around. The whole place is a construction site at the moment. Wait before you come to see it.

The Venetian tower is behind scaffold with a cover whilst the restoration is going on. According to the sign it should be completed in January 2023.

It's closed but looking forward in coming back to see it next year. Durres Castle- This monument consists of a single tower and wall. Referred to in many guides as the Venetian Tower. It dates way back to the 400s, during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I

Довольно интересный объект для этих мест. Если вы в Дурресе, то это прям действительно стоит посетить, т.к. больше особо нечего.

During our visit to Durres, of course we also went to the Venetian tower. And although it's an important landmark in Durres, the site was very neglected. We knew we couldn't go in, but now there was even a fence around it. So not the most photogenic building. History wise, it's still nice to go see it. And since it's close to one of few free parking places in Durres, you really don't have an excuse 😉

Nice views and great shape

Well reconstructed, but the fence around the base makes it a terrible tourism draw. Could be much more photographed.

The historical architecture in Durrës has somewhat disappointed us, mainly due to the archeological museum being closed. The Venetian tower is a nice view

well maintained and historic building

Nice views, friendly staff

One of few Durres relics. Worth visit, at the top there is a restaurant with nice view. Don't expect much ;)

Old tower, turned into cafe. Nice view to the sea.

The Venetian Tower serves as the first Cultural Heritage Interpretation Centre and a starting point for local and international tourists visiting the city. The centre provides different types of history interpretation activities through modern digital and multimedia storytelling tools highlighting the most important events and milestones of Durres ancient history. The visitors are able to explore Durres history through multimedia dome projection, immerse in the ancient past through virtual and augmented reality experiences, get information about Durres history through an app, on-site tablets and audio guides in five languages .

Nice but small tower, next to a section of the old wall. Worth visiting if you’re in Durrës but not if you have to drive all the way over.

Nice cafe near.

The worst service we’ve encountered in many years. Bartending below basic standards. Don’t. Go. There!

Beautiful place, shipping containers cast a pall.

Affordable place with nice views

(Translated by Google) Nice place in Duras (Original) Nice place in Duras

(Translated by Google) Beautiful. I recommend a must visit. (Original) Prelijepo.Preporucujem obavezno posjetiti.

(Translated by Google) The tower itself is not very impressive, but on top of it there is a nice bar that offers beautiful views of the city. (Original) Самата кула не е особено впечатляваща, но на върха ѝ има приятен бар, който предлага красива гледка към града.

(Translated by Google) The view is terrific (Original) Die Aussicht ist grandios

(Translated by Google) Sea view with a glass of beer is a long time to remember (Original) Вид на море с бокалом пива надолго запоминается

(Translated by Google) Beautiful view of the port and city. (Original) Piękny widok na port i miasto.

(Translated by Google) Nicely renovated tower. With a cafe on the roof. (Original) Pekne zrekonstruovana veza. S kaviarnou na streche.

(Translated by Google) It is located in the city of Durres (Albania), it is a Venetian fortress of defense of the city. Now there is a bar above. Absolutely absent signage and tourist guide (Original) Si trova nella città di Durazzo (Albania), è una fortezza veneziana di difesa della città. Ora sopra c'è un bar. Segnaletica e guida turistica assolutamente assenti

(Translated by Google) Today, the tower is used as a restaurant with a cocktail bar at the top of the tower. Under the open sky you can enjoy the mixed drinks and the cool gentle breeze from the sea. (Original) I dag används tornet som restaurang med en cocktailbar högst upp i tornet. Under bar himmel njuter man av de mixade drinkarna och den svalkande milda brisen från havet.

My experience here is limited to a couple of cocktails enjoyed on the tower's rooftop:good view on Durrës movida and old town in addition to friendly prices and service.

(Translated by Google) Nice place (Original) Pěkné místo

(Translated by Google) Nice panoramic place from where to take photos (Original) Bel posto panoramico da dove fare le foto

(Translated by Google) Nice surroundings and beautiful views (Original) Pěkné prostředí a krásný výhled

(Translated by Google) Well preserved, illuminated monument at night (Original) Dobro očuvan, osvijetljen noću spomenik

(Translated by Google) They made a nice coffee at the top of the sea in the (Original) Hanno fatto un bel caffè in cima visuale del mare nel

(Translated by Google) Permission cannot be given to open a bar (Original) Non si può dare il permesso per aprire un bar

(Translated by Google) Gorgeous (Original) Bellissima

(Translated by Google) Historic place (Original) Istorinė vieta

Not so interesting, nice coffee spot though

(Translated by Google) Now there is a bar inside and on the terrace ..... nice place (Original) Adesso c è un bar all' interno e sulla terrazza .....bel posto

(Translated by Google) Wonderful place that is superbly preserved. (Original) Lugar maravilloso que se conserva estupendamente.

(Translated by Google) Nice (Original) נחמד

(Translated by Google) Historic place !!! (Original) Историческое место!!!

???

(Translated by Google) Holiday... (Original) Dovolenka...

(Translated by Google) Historical monument, today serves as a bar (Original) Historická památka ,dnes slouží jako bar

(Translated by Google) Archaeological site (Original) Archeologické nálezisko

Fun, very big

Simply Venetian tower. Visit it if you're in the area, but it shouldn't be a goal of your trip.

If you travel to Durrës you must put this Tower in your route. In that area you will see the part of the castle (kalaja) and the old wall, the first bank of Albania and the promenade (full of restaurants and cafés).