Kruja Demo
Self-Guided Audio Tour

Kruja is a town and a municipality in north central Albania. Located between Mount Kruja and the Ishëm River, the city is only 20 km north from the capital of Albania, Tirana. Kruja was inhabited by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani. In 1190, Kruja became the capital of the first Albanian state in the middle ages, the Principality of Arbër. Later it was the capital of the Kingdom of Albania, while in the early 15th century Kruja was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, but then recaptured in 1443 by Skanderbeg, leader of the League of Lezha, who successfully defended it against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. The Ottomans took control of the town after the fourth siege in 1478, and incorporated it in their territories. A 1906 local revolt against the Ottoman Empire was followed by the 1912 Declaration of Independence of Albania. In the mid-1910s, Kruja was one of the battlefields of the conflict between the short-lived Republic of Central Albania, founded by Essad Toptani and the Principality of Albania. In 1914, Essad Toptani managed to seize the town, but during the same year it was reincorporated by Prenk Bib Doda, in the Principality of Albania. During World War II, it was the Center of the activities of resistance leader Abaz Kupi.

Gjergj Kastrioti born in 1405 and lived until 17 January 1468. He commonly is known as Skanderbeg, and was an Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia. A member of the noble Kastrioti family, he was sent as a hostage to the Ottoman court. He graduated from the Enderun School and entered the service of the Ottoman sultan Murad 2nd ( 1421–1444) for the next twenty years. His rise through the ranks culminated in his appointment as sanjak-bey of the Sanjak of Dibra in 1440. During the Battle of Nish in 1443, he deserted the Ottomans and became the ruler of Kruja and nearby areas extending from Petrela to Modrics. In March 1444, he established the League of Lezha, with support from local noblemen, and unified the small Albanian principalities. In 1451, through the Treaty of Gaeta, he recognized the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Naples over Albania, ensuring a protective alliance, although he remained independent ruler. In 1460–61, he supported Ferdinand 1st of Naples ( 1458–1494) in his wars and led an Italian expedition against John 2nd of Anjou ( 1453–1470). In 1463, he was earmarked to be the chief commander of the crusading forces of Pope Pius 2nd, but the Pope died while the armies were still gathering and the greater European crusade never eventuated. Together with Venetians, he fought against the Ottomans during the First Ottoman–Venetian War (1463–1479) until his death. He ranks high in the military history of that time as the most persistent and ever victorious opponent of the Ottoman Empire in its heyday. He is honored in modern Albania, and is commemorated with many monuments and cultural works. Skanderbeg's military skills presented a major obstacle to Ottoman expansion, and many in western Europe considered him to be a model of Christian resistance against Muslims.

Kruja is known for its historic Old Bazaar, also known as the Kruja Castle Bazaar. It is a popular tourist destination that offers a glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage. The bazaar is located within the walls of the Kruja City, which was built in the 5th and 6th centuries. It is a charming and vibrant marketplace that showcases traditional Albanian crafts, including handmade textiles, pottery, and silverware. Visiting the Old Bazaar in Kruja allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and explore the narrow streets filled with shops and stalls. You can find a variety of souvenirs, traditional clothing, local food products, and much more. The bazaar is also a great place to sample authentic Albanian cuisine at the local restaurants and cafes. From this 400 years old Bazaar, you can look up, Castle of Kruja, which makes this place even more memorable. Lastly, make sure to bring cash, as some of the smaller shops may not accept credit cards. Enjoy your exploration of the captivating Old Bazaar in Kruya! We will continue audio guide after you reach the end of Old Bazaar. Will meet again in our next stop.

Part of Castle of Kruja has now been transformed into the ‘Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeg National Museum’, where many original objects, documents and bibliographies are exhibited. Many authentic reproductions that speak clearly about the history of the Albanian people. It includes pavilions such as the pavilion of antiquity and the early Middle Ages, the pavilion of the Albanian principalities, of the Ottoman conquest and facing this conquest, the pavilion of medieval castles, of the Albanian resistance, the chancellery of Skanderbeg, the library, the princes’ hall, and the pinacotheca and finally the heritage and echo pavilion. An extended audio guide is also available for this museum, in medium plan. Or you can buy it separately as Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg Museum.

Clock Tower of Kruja is one of the buildings that still remains strong and is always in fight mode against time. It's constructions is at the same date as the castle, in 1190. During Byzantine rule. Behind you can also visit the ruins of Christian church, constructed from Byzantine rulers. When Scanderbeg closed his eyes for the last time, bells in this tower cried so laud, even far lands of Venice and Naples could here them.