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Bashtova Castle – Visit Albania!

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Bashtova Castle is situated about 3-4 km to the north of the Shkumbini River in the village of Bashtovë. The castle was built in the 15th century and was used by the Venetians. In the past the Bashtova region was known as a river harbour on the Shkumbini River and as a centre for the export of grains. The castle has a rectangular shape, 60 x 90 meters. The western part of the castle was rebuilt in the 18th century. Its walls are 9 meters high.

Bashtova castle is a surprise. It has been always. A castle in the middle of a long flat, arounded by green lands cultivated. Hidden, unexpected and extraordinary well preserved, is a small jewel.

kalaja e vile-bashtoves ristylephotography-smThe castle was originally built up by venetians, close enough to control the harbor at the end of the river Shkumbin, in the close beach. According to the oral tradition in the village the castle was built up by some members of the Matrangaj family. Indeed this feudal family was ruling the current county of Kavaja during the XIV century and were based mainly in Bashtova. From there they controlled most of the Myzeqe plains and the coastal hills of Karpen (where the laurel forest survives).

In any case the aim of the castle was always protecting trading from bandits, turks and other threatens. In the old times, as said, was just at the river´s harbor. However the river-still used by numerous fishing boats as natural refuge- has moved with the passing of the time and is now a couple of kilometers far. So the castle stays in the middle of the fields, even if the smell of river and of sea come even with the smallest wind.
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foto nga RistylePhotography

The construction is mostly a square of well-preserved walls with four towers in the corners. Other premises done originally in wood have disappeared and their only remain are some holes in the walls. The eastern side was rebuilt by ottomans in the XIX century, so that it is relatively untouched.
The structure remains the one of the far west forts, or the caravansarays from Persia. And indeed its function was similar: custoding the traders and merchandises in the routes passing in the old times by Albania. Arches in the walls remain the rooms and stores where soldiers were living and goods stored before continuing their travel. It is easy to imagine

The castle had a big gate protected with wood defenses attached to the ramparts. It is easy to imagine the relax of traders and caravans when arriving to such a safe place. There is also an small gate in the western side for those who wanted to go to the harbor. The only stable construction was a house for the Bey, as a tower in the middle of the ramparts. The big stone’s fireplace is still there visible.

The Bashtova castle is a relaxing and touching experience. The colors of the landscape, the surprise of the flat land around the old walls…all seems to be done for making the experience deeper.

 
 
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kliko mbi imazh per ta pare ne madhesine origjinale

How to arrive: the castle makes an easy day excursion from Tirana, about one hour of distance by car. It is in the county of Kavaja. For arriving follow the highway to Fier. After leaving Kavaja in your left there is a moment in which the highway stops and become a single road. Just there there is a circle and a road in your right heading to the sea and to Vjele, which is the village where the castle is.
A visit to Bashtova should cover also a look at the near river Shkumbim with its fishermen boats and may include also a lunch in the lake of Djvjaka with its unique colony of pelicans or an excursion to the other Kavaja’s castle, the castle of Turra.
A bit at the north of Besthtova, in the hills of Karpen, just in front of a beautiful seaside area is also the endangered unique forest of laurel trees, very recommendable

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Hiking & Camping in Vermosh Albania

Love you hiking and camping on nature and exploring new places, new ways? -Then why not to go on Vermosh direction and explore Albanian mountains.

Hiking & Camping in Seferçë
Vermosh – Maja e Zhihovës (2173m) – Piramida 23 (2156m) – Stanet e Seferçës – Pylli i Harushës – Vermosh

Albania offers you virgin places to explore and a lot of adventure on exploring such placces.

Many destinations have all adrenaline you could ask in your adventure ttrip, healthy-typical food you will find along the way from villages ontu mountain, will make you enjoy the travel and you will have such a new experience lived as not before.

REMEMBER!

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Confucius
Hiking and camping in Seferce Albania

Hiking & Camping në skajin më verior të Shqipërisë ku për dy ditë përshkuam një itinerar rreth 35 km. Ecja më shumë se 8 orë në pyllin madhështor të Harushës, një nga zonat më pak të shkelura të Shqipërisë, si dhe eksplorimi dhe zbulimi i këtij itinerari pa guidë, i shtuan emocionet këtij udhëtimi të paharrueshëm.

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Places of living – Vermosh
Vermosh is the most northern village of Albania. It stretches on the wide and flat foun­dations of the valley, which bears the name of the village. The valley is composed of shale of typical glacial origin and its height is 1055 m.
Some very important objects as the “suspending” glacial trough of Skropatusha, Gercari canyon, much crumpled rocks on the way to Lepusha, the karstic cave of Jacica. Its climate is mountainous, it is cold (it snows and freezes) in winter and summer is as pleasant as spring is. A typical stream, which bears the cha­racteristics of a field river, flows across the village. Streams and waterfalls run along the slopes, fresh and healthy springs come up here and there. About 1.5 million m3 beech and partly pine and fir timber cover valley slopes thickly. Vermoshi alpine-lands (Seferce, Smutiroga, Lugu i Dolit, Perbica, Grebeni etc.) and the meadows by the houses are rich in pastures and more than 30 kinds of medical, endemic plants grow there and a great number of animals live.
In 1998, the village numbered about 1430 inhabitants. They came from Selca by the end of the XIX century. The inhabitants took part in many anti-ottoman and anti-Montenegrin wars, this is the birthplace of the patriots, Mem Smajli, Prek Cali etc.
The village is made up of 5 quarters. People live in two or three-storey houses built of stone In the front of houses, there is a balcony mounted on logs which come out of the walls, whilst inside there are regular shaped and artistically equipped rooms, which offer hygienic sanitary condi­tions. Wood and wool craft is well known. Inhabitants preserve county’s traditional costume. Economy’s main direction is livestock (there are 380 heads of cattle and 1800 sheep).Woods and pastures leave little space to agricultural lands (115 ha), potato is the main plant cultivated in this area. There are many buildings as a bar-restaurant, the hotel, shops, a primary school, a center of health and the church in the center
source of quotation commune of Kelmend

Authorities emphasize the importance of taking precautions to ensure travel safety. When traveling abroad, the odds favor a safe and incident-free trip, however, travelers can be subject to difficulties, crime and violence. Some safety considerations include being aware of one’s surroundings, avoiding being the target of a crime, leaving copies of one’s passport and itinerary information with trusted people, obtaining medical insurance valid in the country being visited and registering with one’s national embassy when arriving in a foreign country. Many countries do not recognize drivers’ licenses from other countries; however most countries accept international driving permits.
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Vlora – Travel on south Albania

Vlorë is the third most populous city of Albania. It is the capital of the surrounding Vlorë County. Located on the southeastern Adriatic Sea, it is one of the country’s southernmost dominant economic and cultural centers.

On the beach and on promenade is easier to hear people speak on different languages and harder to hear a single word in Albanian language. In the meaning you’ll have a easy way to find what you need, simply by asking people that you hear speaking in your language. There are tourists from anywhere.

Instead the best way for obtaining info on destinations you will want to visit, is to go on INFO POINTS. Use brochures to start learning something about destinations you like and visit them in order to have the best experience of your travel.

Albania is a best place for exploring in different ways.

You will want to practice sport – you have the opportunity to make different sports including water sports, nature sports and many others.

You will want to practice relax – you will have it to in different ways

You will love to go parties – All day and all’days are party time, just ask where is the place for the time you’ll love to go.

Visit Albania and You will enjoy the adventure trip you’ve never immagined.

The limpid water of the sea is one of the reasons tourists choose Vlore as their travel destination.
The good climate is another reason as it makes you to enjoy on the best way your vacations.
Best taste food also attacts many lovers of Albania who says they are ready to come next time they plan vacations, without any hesitation.
Many people Know Albania by bad events happened on the past and a lot of them know Albania only in that way because they were informed only on tv and only on that time!
…but who visited the beautiful Albania Country knows well that Albania is a really treasure to spend your vacations.


An Albanian friend is bringing us to explore south Albania. Yesterday we were in Gjirokaster and at “Syri Kaltër”-blue eye and now here we arer.
I am really enjoying my stay in Albania, with kristal water is perfect to swim in it, friendly people and low prizes in comparation with Norway
said Nilsi – a Norwegian tourist
Nilsi also continue telling his vacation and his point of view…I am not the only one who likes spend vacations on south Albania! There are many other europians and other countries.
For tourists Albania is a big and appreciable adventure. A small country that makes you its own.
We heard a lot of good weather, the sea, healthy food and also prices. In Norway, words are running now and the good ones are shared to all. Everybody knows Albania is an adventure friendly country and they are preparing to enjoy.
There are many places for relaxing and enjoying at parties.
…concludes Nilsi his interview.
Vlora is the city between the mountain and the sea, the place where melt the fresh of nature with the freshness of the sea.

Vlora -South Albania

Area: 12 km²
Weather: Mediterranean climate,
Postal Code: 9401-9405

wikipedia

Vlorë is the third-most-populous city in Albania by population (141,513)
wikipedia

The Vlora was a cargo ship built in 1960 in Ancona that sailed under the Albanian flag until 1996. It is most famous for carrying tens of thousands of Albanian refugees to the Italian port of Bari on 8 August 1991, an unprecedented mass arrival that left Italian authorities unprepared

Construction started: August 10, 1959
Launched: May 4, 1960
Length: 148 m
Displacement: 4.683 million kg
Beam: 19 m
Place built: Ancona
Builder: Ancona

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Unique places in Albania

Our suggestion for your Weekend Escapes.
This time goes to… North Albania. Syri i Sheganit or Shegani`s Eye”, is an amazing spring, located in Shkodra Lake, near of Bajzë, Great Highland, Shkodra.

Credits to: Vis Shqiperia

There are many unique places you won’t find easy but if you find them you go from real life to dreams in one instant.
Albania has many treasures, be sure to visit them all for an unique experience on your life.

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