Albania - Kruje

The remnants of the Kruje Castle are shown on the bottom of the photo and the Skanderbeg Museum is built within the castle grounds.  The museum honors the national hero George Skanderbeg (1405–1466) who fought off three attempts by the Ottoman Turks to conquer the land.

The watchtower is one of the few remaining parts of the original castle.

A view of the castle - museum

Skenderbeg - The Albanians greatest leader.

One of three battles against the Ottomans . Skanderbeg died in 1468.  The Turks made a fourth, and successful, siege in 1478 and incorporated the land into their territory.

My driver works for the embassy during the week and drives tourists on the weekends in his immaculately maintained Mercedes.  He had a great command of the history of the area which made the trip all the more interesting.

The city of Kruje below.  It has a population of 16,000 and is only 12 miles from the capital, Tirana.

One of many souvenir shops on the way to the castle.

People sold souvenirs right out on the sidewalk.

Not a great photo but it shows the uneven stones I walked on up and down, hoping all the while not to twist my ankle or worse.  I cannot imagine doing this walk when the stones are wet. 

Kruje has a statue erected to George W Bush as well as a street named after him to commemorate his visit. It even has a bar-cafe in his honor.