Sopoti Castle

The castle dates to Antiquity, and its fortifications follow the trace of an acropolis, with four subsequent phases of reconstruction, ranging from the early Byzantine period to the late Middle Ages.

“Walking in this ruins is like exploring ancient Epirus. This region is full of historical monuments and buildings.!”

THE FORTIFICATION

Borshi valley is another crossing road linking the coast with the main land, where four fortifications were discovered. The fortress of Sopoti, where the acropolis of the ancient town of Borshi is located, has the perfect natural protection, which has conditioned the establishment of a prehistoric fortification.

The prehistoric wall is preserved near the Acropolis and the entrance to the medieval castle. It was built with the same construction technique as the settlement of Karos Phase I. The prehistoric wall was supported by a residential pottery horizon dating back to the late Bronze Age. A settlement was also found outside the prehistoric wall, which is associated with a dwelling of fortification time. The ceramics found in residential horizons, clay, forms and invoices, is similar to that of Badhra. From the forms of dishes are distinguished, a spherical body with S-shaped profile, with scattered edge, similar to those found in Badhra. Spherical pots, with straight or sloping edges, similar to those of Badhra.

The fortress of Sopoti dates back to the late Bronze Age. The castle was heavily damaged during the barbarian invasions of the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., and it was rebuilt in the Middle Ages at which time it took the name of Sopoti Castle. In 1417 the castle was seized by the Ottomans who later restored it in the 18th century.

The coast of Albanian Riviera, which constituted the estate of the Epirote tribe of Chaons, is characterized by some densely fortified settlements that dates back to the first period of the Iron Age.
In the northern part of the coast, known as the coast of Himara, we know to date four fortifications of this period: The castle of Pirgos, the settlement of Karos, the castle of Sopoti and that of Badhra. They share the same technique of building with unpolished stone and simple line of walls, with no towers and with very few entrances.
The valleys of Kudhesi and Borshi provide easy access to mainland, the mountain pass of Shen Vasil makes easy passage to the Delvina basin, while from the north the Ravenna plateau and Llogara peak make the way to the bay of Vlora.
Studies so far show that life begins at the Neolithic period at Spile (the centre of Himara), but the densest trails encounter in the Bronze Age and are represented by 20 fortifications, which are the object of study..

Various pots and ceramic fount at the castle of Sopoti.

A map of the Venetian empire depicting a war to capture Sopoti by the Ottomans.

A virtual perspective of how the castle might have been then.

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HOW TO VISIT

To visit this place, you'll have to walk inside the village of Ilias and follow the path that leads to the top of the hill, once at the top now head west and you'll reach the ruins. Take a look of the path, here.

By Jano Koci

Jano Koci is an archaeologist born in Qeparo that studied at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. He is famous for the excavations in the area of Himara with well-known finds such as the castle of Pirgos, the settlement of Karos, the castle of Sopoti, that of Badhra and many other.

https://visithimara.al