Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Kruja

In the early Middle Ages, Kruja developed from a medium-sized castle settlement into an urban centre, which had a bishopric in the 9th century. 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. Kruja was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the early 15th century, but then reconquered by Skanderbeg in 1443, who defended it against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. It finally fell after a fourth siege in 1478, 10 years after Skanderbeg's death. It is claimed that the “Old Bazaar” here exists since the 15th century, the time of Skanderbeg. Today it is a tourist attraction. Kruja has been a center of Bektashism, an Islamic Sufi mystic order, once widespread in the Ottoman Empire. Today the Bektashian community has its headquarters in Tirana.

In the early Middle Ages, Kruja developed from a medium-sized castle settlement into an urban centre, which had a bishopric in the 9th century. 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. Kruja was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the early 15th century, but then reconquered by Skanderbeg in 1443, who defended it against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. It finally fell after a fourth siege in 1478, 10 years after Skanderbeg's death. The two lions and the star that decorate the old fountain are probably spolia.

In the early Middle Ages, Kruja developed from a medium-sized castle settlement into an urban centre, which had a bishopric in the 9th century. 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. Kruja was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the early 15th century, but then reconquered by Skanderbeg in 1443, who defended it against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. It finally fell after a fourth siege in 1478, 10 years after Skanderbeg's death. The city seen from the castle

In the early Middle Ages, Kruja developed from a medium-sized castle settlement into an urban centre, which had a bishopric in the 9th century. 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. Kruja was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the early 15th century, but then reconquered by Skanderbeg in 1443, who defended it against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. It finally fell after a fourth siege in 1478, 10 years after Skanderbeg's death. The castle, originally built in the 5th or 6th century, is perched above the city. It is ruined but the Skanderberg Museum was built in the old castle area. The building is a new construction modelled on a historic castle. The architects included Pranvera Hoxha, the daughter of Enver Hoxha. The building was opened in 1982. The museum honours the Albanian national hero Georg Kastrioti Skanderbeg and documents his military struggle against the Ottomans.

In the early Middle Ages, Kruja developed from a medium-sized castle settlement into an urban centre, which had a bishopric in the 9th century. 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. Kruja was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the early 15th century, but then reconquered by Skanderbeg in 1443, who defended it against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. It finally fell after a fourth siege in 1478, 10 years after Skanderbeg's death. The castle, originally built in the 5th or 6th century, is perched above the city. It is ruined but the Skanderberg Mudeum was built in the old castle area.