Daily Tour to Shkodra

Visiting Shkodër means giving oneself the privilege to touch the ancient history of Albania. Located in a wide field, about thirty miles from the sea, Shkoder is closely associated with water: the Great Lake at the southwest; the Drini River that licks at the east; the Kiri River among the mountains; and the Buna River to the south.

• Gateway to the Albanian Alps Shkodra, Shkodra is one of the oldest cities in the country, founded in the 4th century B.C. as the center of the Labeat tribe of Illyrians known by the name Scodra. Shkodra has been occupied several times throughout history. The city returned to Albanian control as the feudal principality of the Balshaj during the 14th century and served as the municipal center of the Bushatllinj Pashallëk from 1757 to 1831.
• Shkodra is very rich in cultural heritage; the city itself as well as the people bears pride in the large number of artists, musicians, painters, photographers, poets, and writers born here. Shkodra’s main tourist attraction is Rozafa Castle. Rising majestically upon a rocky hill west of the city, the outcroppings and battlements paint a blazing picture against the setting sun.
• It is surrounded by the waters of three rivers: the Drini, Buna, and Kiri. Much like the town, the castle has Illyrian origins. According to the historian Tit Livi, “it was the strongest area of the Labeats.” Like all ancient works, the castle comes with a popular local legend. Rozafa was the name of the bride of the youngest of three brothers who originally built the castle. The three men worked tirelessly by day laying mortar and stone but the walls always crumbled overnight.
• Shkodra is one of the most important cities of Albania and is also known to be the center of Albanian Catholicism, culture, and harmony between different religions.