About Delvina Castle
What’s left of the castle of Delvina (Kalaja e Delvinës) are some ruins on a hill top next to the village. From the hill you have some spectacular views over the village of Delvina and the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges.
The Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi visited Delvina around 1670 and describes the ancient city in his book. The city is thought to have been in Spanish and Venetian hands before the Ottoman occupation and it’s unclear when the castle was built exactly.
Today, there is not much left of the castle, exept some of the fortification walls and the walls of a mosque dating back to the Ottoman period. The communists have also added some concrete bunkers on the hill during the Cold War. According the memoires by Çelebi the castle had a cistern an ammunition depot and a mosque. The city counted about 100 houses, about 80 stores, an open market place and three Medreses.
How To Get To Delvina Castle
The best was to reach the castle in Delvina is by car and then hike up the hill. Be aware that there are no signs or official paths, but once you see the castle, it’s easily reached by foot. If you don’t have your own transportation you can rent a car or motor cycle, or arrange a taxi to get you there. Alternatively you can take any mini bus from Saranda to Delvina and walk from there.
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