Elbasan Demo
Self-Guided Audio Tour

Elbasan is the fourth most populous city of Albania and seat of Elbasan County and Elbasan Municipality. It lies to the north of the river Shkumbin between the Skanderbeg Mountains and the Muzeqea Plain in central Albania. The name is derived from the Ottoman Turkish "elbasan", meaning "made the fortress". Sultan Mehmet the 2nd reconstructed this castle and named the region Elbasan. According to some studies, the ancient name of this city, Scampa, was derived from the Albanian word shkamba ("the rock" or "the cliff"), and related to the name of the river of Elbasan, Shkumbin (anciently Scampini). In August 2010, archaeologists discovered two Illyrian graves near the walls of the castle of Elbasan. In the second century BC, a trading post called Mansio Scampa, near the site of modern Elbasan, developed close to a junction of two branches of an important Roman road, the Via Egnatia, which connected the Adriatic coast with Byzantium. It was one of the most important routes of the Roman Empire. By the third or fourth century AD, this place had grown into a real city, protected by a substantial Roman fortress with towers. This fort covered around 300 square meters. City took part in the spread of Christianity along the Via Egnatia, and had a bishop, cathedral, and basilicas, as early as the fifth century. Ruins of a Paleo Christian basilica, built in the 5th or 6th century AD, were found near Castle's South door area. The site seems to have been abandoned, until the Ottoman army built a military camp there, followed by urban reconstruction under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, in 1466. He had built the castle in order to fight Skanderbeg, due to an ongoing conflict between the Ottomans and Albanians. By the end of the 17th century it had 2,000 inhabitants. The fortress was dismantled by Reshit Pasha, in 1832 Elbasan was invaded by Serb and Bulgarians in Balkan wars, and in World War 1. Later, by Italians and Germans, in World War 2. Industrial development began in King Zogu period, when tobacco and alcohol factories were established. And developed later on, by dictator Enver Hoxha, that boosted the city to around 75,000 inhabitants.

Here, outside the castle lies Men's hammam. From the locals is called The Old Hammam. And is smaller than women's hammam, or Castle Hammam, which is located inside Castle's area. The Old Hammam dates back to the 16th century. During the 20th century, communists with their atheistic ideas, changed Hamam into food warehouse and damaged its interiors. Now 50% of it is a coffee bar. You can enjoy traditional drinks like Turkish coffee, local drink called Boza, and delicious ice creams. Entry fee to Old Hammam area is 2 euros. The Owner will tell you some stories originated from Old Hammam. Hope you enjoy!

This basilica is thought to have been called Saint Peter’s Basilica, one of two early Christian basilicas discovered in the city. The locals also know it by the name “Basilica of Bezistan”. The monument itself carries numerous archaeological, historical and artistic values ​​as well. Discovered by researchers and archaeologists in a relatively recent period in 2007, as a result of several analyzes and documents providing information on the existence of a Basilica in the area. It was declared a 1st Category Cultural Monument in 2009. The time of construction is from the period of late antiquity, more precisely the 5th century AD. It also has many artistic elements, such as a mosaic floor, and some frescoed wall fragments. The frescoes on the wall do not give clear scenes, and also the mosaic elements are thought to be more numerous, but some digging is needed to find them.

The city of Elbasan has the castle of Skampis, ancient roman city. It represents a Castrum Statum, meaning a Roman complex for military camps. It has 4 entrances located in the middle of each wall, which are protected by towers. The castle is equipped with 26 towers. There are fresco-shaped towers at its four corners. The other two are entrance towers, and are located at the end of Cardo Street or north-south street. They have a quadrangular plan, while the other twenty are U-shaped. The towers are completely outside the surrounding wall. Only four of them protecting the entrances of the decumanus street, or east-west street, stand half way outside the surrounding wall. All the towers of the castle, regardless of their shape, stand 8-9 m before the wall and are located 40-50 m apart. The composition of the surrounding wall indicates three main construction periods, which are: 1. Late Roman period. 2. Early Byzantine period. 3. Ottoman period. Now, only the South Side of the Castle walls survived through time.

About 100 meters to the north in the center of Old Town, the Royal Mosque of 1492,is considered one of the oldest of Albania mosques. Built during the Ottoman period in the late 15th century by Sultan Bayezid the 2nd. It is an inconspicuous, almost square building, with a flat wooden roof. Under a white paint, diligent box masonry can be seen. This technique has been borrowed from the former church. The Ottoman explorer, Evliya Çelebi, found the mosque outside, completely painted with religious poems, with the finest calligraphy in 1670. The walls were covered with red Arabic script, until 1960s. Atheistic wave of destruction during Communism regime, changed the outside paintings of this mosque. It is considered the lucky one, because other sister mosques were destroyed completely. The King Mosque holds deep cultural and religious significance for the local community in Elbasan. It serves as a place of worship, fostering a sense of community and spiritual connection. Visitors have the opportunity to experience the harmonious blend, of architectural beauty, religious devotion, and cultural heritage that the mosque represents. When visiting the King Mosque, be sure to respect the religious customs. Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering the mosque. Visitors are welcome to explore the interior with stunning artwork.