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35 Most Impressive Castles in the Balkans

by admin

In this post I count down a series of highlight real castles from the Balkan region of Europe. Although sparsely populated, this mountainous area has seen much bloodshed – a direct result of its geographic position between Europe and Asia. Successive empires have tried to establish themselves in the region only to be displaced, borders contracting and retracting as quickly as the wild frontier was subdued. Whether it be; Greeks colonists, Roman emperors, powerful Slavic Tribes (Bulgarians, Serbians…), Hungarian Kings, Ottoman warlords, greedy Venetian merchants or productive Austrian administrators, each successive player has left defensive fortifications to hold and consolidate their hard fought gains in the wake of their victories. In my own humble opinion Ali Pasha’s Albania has the most imposing and impregnable castles in the region whereas Romania holds the most architecturally interesting castles. Yet, all of these countries hold gems that are worth exploring!

For this list the rules are simple, city walls such as Dubrovnik do not count. Otherwise all bets are off.

Table of Contents

Gjirokastër Fortress, Albania

Possibly my favourite castle in the Balkans, this castle has a sordid history. Set among the spring backdrop of melting mountain snowcaps, imposing Gjirokaster Fortress looms above a city of stone and slate below. Located 336 meters (1,102 ft) in height, the structure must be accessed by ways of a steep, winding, cobblestone road. Below the complex is a network of Cold War tunnels and bomb shelters designed by Enver Hoxha – the paranoid communist dictator of Albania and a one-time resident of the city of Gjirokaster. Inside its walls you will find dark crumbling vaults, a magnificent hall of arms, a shot down American spy plane and a grim prison leftover from the era of King Zog (and later used by the communist authorities). No visit to Albania is complete without seeing this masterpiece of defensive construction!

Gjirokastër castle.

Berat Citadel, Albania

When the Turkish warlord Ali Pasha set his sights on the old Byzantine city of Berat, he made it the crown jewel of his domain. The “City of Two-Thousand Windows”, as it is often called, Berat is built on two steep hills; Gorica and Mangalem. The hills were rumored to be fallen giants in Albanian Folklore, they now rest silently watching over both of these city districts. The Berat Citadel is considered to be one of the last inhabited mountaintop bastions in Europe and the thick walls of the imposing structure all but blocks any possible advance of a foe trying to use the famed Berat pass to move their armies. Although it has fallen into ruins today, Berat’s citadel is still impressive – not only is it massive but it is also still in many ways impregnable.

Berat citadel walls .

Hunedoara (Corvin) Castle, Romania

Built to protect an iron producing town on the edge of the Carpathian Mountains, Hunedoara rose to prominence in the 15th century when the castle passed into the ownership of the famous Hungarian-Romanian Hunyadi family. This residence/fortification is an exemplary example of Transylvanian architecture during the Hungarian period. For best shots of the structure stand on the north side of the castle, where its elegant towers will greet you across the creek via a bridge into the ornate tower structures. Once you pass through the gates you will enter a courtyard. From here you can proceed to take a tour of the castle grounds. Corvin (Hyundi) castle is known for its gruesome history. This includes a stone enclosure called the bear pit (you can guess why!) and a stone well that was dug by 3 Turkish prisoners. The men were told if they reached water they could be free. After 15 years they did find water but were killed instead, thus the prisoner’s inscription “you have water, but no soul”.

The most remarkable thing about this castle is the connection to three men that would be featured prominently in the history of Hungary, helping to defend Hungarian lands from the advance of the Ottoman Empire. The first, John Hunyadi, would lead the Hungarian resistance to he Ottoman Empire, he died shortly after his victory over the Ottomans at Belgrade. Vlad Tepes was once held captive in the castle by John Hunyadi, becoming his protege! While John’s son Mattias Corvinus, “The White Knight of Wallachia”, would rule as the King of Hungary-Croatia turning the European nation into a superpower. Under John Hunedoara (Hunyadi), the old castle was greatly improved becoming one one the leading residences in Europe. To lean more about Matthias, read my Cluj blog post here!

Corvin Castle.

Deva Fortress, Romania

The sister city to nearby Hunedoara, Deva and its imposing hilltop castle was completed by 1269. The massive serpentine complex consisting of a lower and upper bastion has been connected to illustrious Hungarian dynasties such as the Báthory family. A more recent addition, four letters in bold white font, spell the name “DEVA” for all to see – much like the Hollywood sign. Although the hill may not look like much from the wrong angle, looks are deceiving. In fact this green rock was once a volcano and, although it sits alone, is part of the Carpathian Mountain Range.

When you make it to the top of the hill, you will be greeted by the castle itself. It has been beautifully restored in recent years and offers a breathtaking panorama of the valley below. It was used as a garrison in the 16th century but a gunpowder store exploded in 1849 rendering the building an unfortunate ruin.

Deva castle overlooking the city.

Lëkurësi Castle, Albania

Overlooking the sunny city of Saranda in Southern Albania, Lekursi offers a awe inspiring view of the straits of Corfu. The outside of the castle may look to be but a ruin but the inner courtyard has been renovated and includes a seasonal restaurant as well as a beer garden. The castle was built by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1537 and has been virtually unchanged since then. Not far from the castle itself you will find a small lighthouse, an oddly placed taxi service as well as grazing land for the local cows.

Cows grazing away, not far from the castle.

Golubac Fortress, Serbia

An imposing Danube river castle, this stone block fortification looks as it belongs in a Lord of the Rings movie. Built in the 14th century by the medieval Kingdom of Serbia, it has the distinction of warding off over 120 attacks throughout its long life. Much of the Hungarian resistance to the Ottoman empire took place from this scenic castle. Multiple layers of unconnected courtyards and tower offered a powerful defense against enemies.

Krujë Castle, Albania

It is not every day that a castle is connected to a National hero, the way the medieval city of Kruje is connected to Skanderbeg. The scenic castle, built atop a high mountain craig overlooking the town, offers a view all the way to the Adriatic Sea. It is from this structure that Skanderbeg, a christian nobleman, led a successful rebellion against the Ottoman Empire during the 15th century, cementing a sense of identity in the people who are known today as the Albanians.

Kalemegdan Citadel, Serbia

Located in the heart of downtown Belgrade, overlooking confluence of two mighty rivers, the Sava and the Danube, Kalemegdan cuts an imposing figure. The bright limestone used to built the once resplendishing fortress had Belgrade dubbed by the name the “White City”. From its perch at the north end of the city you will be privy to a fantastic view from the First World War monument. Due to the strategic location of the city it protect, the fortress (and city!) was besieged over 115 times, and razed at least 44. Hence to protect the city a fortress was established here as early as 279BC. Today the fortress is a giant urban park for the city that has grown around it. Its trenches filled with tennis courts, its bastions tree covered and grassy spaces taking over the courtyards. Monuments line the prominent lookouts and couples enjoy a lovely stroll on a sunny day.

A thousand years ago this impressive structure would have been seen much differently by an invading army. Sitting on a high outcropping overlooking the Danube the fort must have looked impregnable to foreign armies. The Romans used it to control their frontier lands and after several sacks by barbarian chiefs it was abandoned. It is rumored that Attila the Hun’s grave lies buried under the fortress. The fortress was rebuilt by Justinian and the Byzantines in 535 and the continuous re-adaptation, destruction and reuse of the building has continued ever since.

Peleș Castle, Romania

A fairytale castle, in a fairytale setting, nestled in a green meadow, above the tiny town of Sinaia in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. Peles castle is perhaps the prettiest structure on this list. In 1866, King Carol I of Romania visited the region for the first time and fell in love with the scenery. Years later, he purchased a large plot of land and commissioned a hunting lodge as well as several auxiliary buildings so that he may enjoy his lands. By 1873 he had settled on the construction of his main estate, Peles castle. Its Bavarian styled towers of finely crafted wood and stone seamlessly blending in with the trees around it. The inside is just as stunning with an Arms Room containing a collection 4000 weapons and the Honor Stairs, a central courtyard with ornate decorations. The inside features beautiful wood finishes, stained glass and a vast art collection. Be sure to come visit, this is a pretty as they come!

Bran Castle, Romania

The Romanian castle that draws most tourists, Bran is often associated with the famous Vlad Tepes. The iconic spooky castle made famous by Bran Stoker’s “Dracula” will surely disappoint the fans of the novel. Ironically the castle you see today may in fact have never hosted Vlad. It was a Saxon castle and not a Wallachian one after all, If he spent any time in the castle it was as a prisoner! All that being said it is a fantastic complex anyway. The comfortable quarters you see today are due in large part to the renovation efforts of the Romanian Royal family, specifically Queen Marie. To the south-west of the castle, in a wooded area, you will find a chapel called the Queen’s Heart. It was constructed by her daughter Ileana to mark where her actual heart is buried (so she could be close to her beloved castle). It was vandalized and her heart removed from its casket in a grotesque anti-monarchist display by the communist authorities but has now been restored.

One of the highlights of the castle is the “secret” escape staircase discovered during the 1910 renovations of the castle. Behind a fireplace was a staircase that linked the third and first floors. Another is the castle courtyard (best viewed from the upper decks!), apart from its pretty architecture it holds one of the more interesting elements of the castle, a well. This well was used to bring in drinking water to the castle. The well is an astonishing 60 feet deep into solid rock and holds a secret room to hide the castle’s treasury in case the enemy broke through!

Bled, Slovenia

Home of the old Bishops of Brixen, the Romanesque Bled castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia. Built in 1011, it was gifted to the bishops by Henry II, King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor (also referred to as Henry the Exuberant), as a reward for their diligent service to him. Although the pathway to the back of the castle was closed off, I snuck around the castle and got a few photographs of the lake from the back door. It was more than worth it. My travel companions were not impressed by me, but I didn’t care, they needed to loosen up a little. This castle was not included on this list for its defensive merits but rather for its elegant beauty and scenic location overlooking a crystal clear alpine lake with an island chapel amid the lake waters.

Tsarevets Castle, Bulgaria

The old royal capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo, is home to the Tsarevets castle – once compared to Constantinople or even Rome in terms of importance. Between 1185 and 1393 Veliko served as the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and Tsarevets it’s primary fortress and strongest bulwark against enemy aggression. In 1393 it was burned down by the Ottoman Turks, putting an end to the Bulgarian State. Today its impressive ruins should be at the top of your to do list while in Veliko!

Jajce, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Known for it magnificent waterfall, the hilltop town of Jajce is also home to an imposing castle. Constructed in the 14th century by the king of Jajce, Hrvoje Vukcic Hrvatinic, it remained one of the most important defensive structures in Bosnia and of the of the Bosnian (Serb) kingdom. As you approach the castle gates located at the top of Jajce hill, you will find the king’s sigil still adorning the tower. Having survived many sieges, the structure shows its age. Yet the walls give a good view of the medieval town below, allowing you to see why it occupied such an effective defensive position Today the castle is a national monument of Bosnia, and is renowned as the last town in Bosnia to capitulate to the Ottoman advance (The last Bosnian King was slain here in 1463).

Travnik, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The castle, once home to the Viziers (Governors) of Bosnia, was built in the early 1400’s or late 1300’s but the exact date has been lost to time. We do know that the castle predates the arrival of the Turks but we have no record of how the town of Travnik fell to them. Today, the castle’s stewardship belongs to the museum of Travnik. The work done to restore the castle in 1999 looks sublime. Today the most impressive part of the castle is the massive tower at its south end. When accessing the fortress you will climb over an impressive stone bridge over a fast running stream. The complex is built around one large multi-sided tower. This castle is an underrated gem and is much less busy than nearby Jajce.

Castle Of San Giovanni, Montenegro

Overlooking the Fjord like Kotor Habour, on a hill up behind the old town of Kotor stands the Castle of San Giovanni. As part of an elaborate defensive scheme, the triangular walls of the Old Town, include an extension up the hill all the way to the castle. This includes a walled ring of 4.5 km’s that connects the town’s fortifications to the fortress and prevents an enemy from attacking the city by behind. It is the greatest of Venice’s Stato da Màr (oversea territories) fortifications and is why the complex is now considered to be a UNESCO site. Elevated 280 meter above the Old Town and accessible by way of a steep trail, be prepared to walk if you would like to access its incredible views of the city below it. The complex was conceived in 1440 over the ruins of old Illyrian fortifications. Since then, it has been continuously expanded. The fortress takes its name from the church of St. John (Giovani), now in ruins, you can find it located right behind the fortress. Make sure to see the Lady of Health church on your way back down to the old town, it is perhaps the most iconic church in all of Montenegro!

View at of the dilapidated buildings at the San Giovanni Fortress.

Kale Fortress, North Macedonia

The Kale fortress, a long forgotten giant, a guardian of sorts watching over the city of Skopje in North Macedonia, has witnessed all the chaos and carnage that happened here throughout the centuries. The ruin occupies the highest point over the old city, north of the Vardar river, dominating the skyline. The site has been occupied since the Bronze Age and the present fortress was first completed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. In 1346 Stefan Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbia on the grounds of the fortress, he then moved the capital of Serbia to Skopje. One thing that is interesting is that the fortress was completely demolished during the 1963 earthquake and is now being reconstructed. Walk its walls to be rewarded with a great panoramic view of the city.

Belogradchik, Bulgaria

Built during the Roman Empire, this impressive fort is known for its relationship with a particularly important geological feature, the Belogradchik Rocks. It has been expanded by both the Bulgarian and Ottoman empires but still retains much of its isolated charm. Come see it before the word finds out about this underrated attraction.

Rozafa Castle, Albania

Built on a massive hill overlooking the lakeside town of Shkodër in Albania, stands Rozafa Castle. The construction of the facility comes from a brutal legend of three Albanian brothers and a pledge to immure one of their wives alive in the walls. The castle you see today mostly dates from the Venetian period.

Rasnov, Romania

This castle was established by the Teutonic knights in 1211, at the same time as Bran Castle, although the Dacian people had occupied the site in antiquity. It was eventually transferred to Saxon administration after the Teutons were expelled. Unlike Bran, Rasnov is a citadel, with a small village built into the fortifications. During a 1335 Tatar (Mongol) raid on the Burzenland only Rasnov and Brasov held out! The citadel was again besieged in 1421 by the Ottoman Army this time. It would not be conquered until 1612 when Gabriel Bathory, the Austro-Hungarian regent of Transylvania, cut off the villagers water supply forcing a surrender. This caused the Saxons to build a 146m deep well to protect their water supply. It apparently took 17 years for two Turkish prisoners to dig it by hand! The castle was again besieged by the Ottoman army in 1690, in 1718 it succumbed to fire and in 1802 an earthquake. By this time the Carpathian frontier was no longer a danger as the Ottoman threat to Europe receded. Rasnov was no longer needed and the population moved to the village below.

Today the castle is an evocative ruin, a place that grows more impressive after you get to see the view of the surrounding countryside from the top of its battlements.

Angelokastro, Greece

This large Byzantine era fort at Paleokastritsa has defended the island Corfu throughout the ages. Not only will you find a stunning beach at its base but the hilltop castle is one of thick walls and a rare example of the sublime might of the Byzantine Greek Empire!

Ljubljana Castle, Slovenia

The main attraction in Ljubljana is the castle, sitting high above the baroque styled city center. The facility can be accessed either by foot, or by funicular. The castle grounds were originally used as a stronghold by the Romans but the present structure foundation date from the 11th century. It was rebuilt a century later in stone and has been modified many times since. It served as the seat of the lords of Carniola and was at one point a prison. The grounds are a major public space. If you come on Friday night, there is a section of the castle that serves as a Jazz club and, in the summer, movies are often played here.

The castle as seen from the Nebotičnik cafe.

Poenari Citadel, Romania

The real “Drak Shack”, Poenari is an menacing sight to an approaching army. Nestled in a mountain pass it was founded in the 13th century by the Basarabs, the first princes of Wallachia and founders of Curtea de Arges. It rose to prominence under my boy Vlad, who in a twisted genius, “enlisted” (enslaved) his enemies in the Wallachian nobility and had them repair and improve this imposing stronghold. The work was completed before Vlad’s death 1476 and there is evidence he lived here. The castle was abandoned and suffered wide ranging destruction due to earthquakes and landslides. So basically after a arduous hike you will be greeted with a pretty impressive ruin.

Poenari Castle looking down over the gorge.

Two Fortresses of Corfu, Greece

Built on a peninsula separated from the mainland by a massive dyke the “Countrefossa”, Corfu’s Venetian Era fortifications are still impressive. Originally conceived during the Byzantine era, they have subsequently been improved by the Republic of Venice, you will find the lion of St. Mark. Venice used the fourth Crusade as an opportunity to rob Byzantine possessions but they soon found out that the Byzantine Empire was the only thing holding back the Turks. As the Ottomans advanced through the Balkans, taking many of the most prized Venetian possessions (Negroponte, Crete, Cyprus), Corfu gained in importance due to its position at the opening of the Adriatic, without it Venice could be directly threatened by the Ottoman Fleet. During this time, although heavily outnumbered, the double fortification of Corfu held back two successive Ottoman sieges earning the island the moniker of the “Door of Venice”. The further castle back is inaccessible today, it was once used to house holocaust victims before they were shipped off to further “possessing”, a sad blemish on this proud old structure.

Stroll through the complex and marvel at the glimmering Adriatic waters as well as the stunning Church of St. George. Island life doesn’t get better than this.

Petrovaradin, Serbia

The most important defensive complex in Europe, Petrovaradin – a city facing the Serbian city of Novi Sad on the Danube river, has been occupied since the Celtic Age. The complex you see today was built by Charles Eugène de Croÿ, a famed German field marshal (working in the Austrian army), and is so imposing that it was referred to as the Gibraltar of the Danube. At the time of its construction it was a state of the art complex with a staggering 16km of countermine tunnels, layers of massive defensive berms and thick impenetrable walls. The complex was expanded on several times over the centuries, it had to be as it was an important defensive point during the Austro-Turkish wars, fending off many sieges. The fort lost its military use in the 20th century and was slated for demolition. The engineer in charge of this task, Colonel Dragoš Đelošević, refused to destroy it. He found it to be one of the most beautiful and unique fortresses in Europe and he wished to preserve it. Luckily, due to his efforts, the fortress was spared the fate of many others that were no longer needed.

Keeping this history in mind, wade through the small Hungarian Village of Petrovardin and imagine the large garrison that once called this foreign place home. In 1716, the forces of the Austrian Empire huddled here in preparation of what should be considered one of the greatest battles ever. In this event, Prince Eugene of Savoy (mentioned many times in this blog) used the fortress to defeat an ottoman army 150 000 strong, about twice the size of his own army. This ended the Turkish threat to central Europe!

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes, once the headquarters of the Knights of Rhodes (the precursor of the Knights of St. John of Malta, is a masterpiece of military construction. Originally started as a Byzantine fortress it was expanded in the 14th century by the Knights in the hopes of stopping the Ottoman Army. After a long siege in 1522 the nights had to relocate to Malta. Although vandalized by a classless Mussolini during years of Italian occupation the complex still maintains much of the medieval charm of the island itself.

Monemvasia, Greece

Built on a Giant Rock in the Peloponnese peninsula, its name is a combination of mone and emvasia, meaning “single entrance, an apt description of the narrow isthmus that links it to the mainland. The Byzantine era fortification has seen the passage of time bring destruction and tragedy to the Greek homeland, yet tucked into its quiet corner of Greece the rock has protected its town for over a millennia. With the retreat of Venice from the Turks the town lost importance, but kept its medieval charm. This is an absolute must.

Varaždin, Croatia

This Croatian castle is known for its white walled facades and striking baroque architecture. Built in the 15th century to defend Northern Croatia from Ottoman raids, the city and castle was completely rebuilt as late as the 17th and 18 century. Today it showcases this stunning baroque architecture to those willing to venture north, away from the coast, to see it.

Ulcinj, Montenegro

Lying on the southern portion of Montenegro, Ulcinj has had an interesting history as a piracy haven. Home to the country’s ethnic Albanian minority, the Adriatic port town still retains much of its flair. The 2000-year-old citadel was first built by greek settlers from Colchis (Georgia) on a rocky promontory overlooking the bay of Ulcinj. Come explore the pirate capital of the Adriatic for its citadel – it is worth it!

Stari Bar Fortress, Montenegro

Stari Grad is an “Old Town” in the Serbo-Croatian dialect, as such Stari Bar is a reference to the Old Town of Bar. Located up in the hills overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Old Bar is a well defended citadel city. As you approach through a confusing mess of roads, you will see the decaying walls surrounding the remains of an old clock tower as well as a church. A large bastion at the top of the hill dominates the complex. First you will have to walk through the cobblestone old town, where a few of the villagers have returned until you finally hit the central keep of the fortress. From its heights, don’t miss the view of the ancient stone aqueduct that once fed water into the town. This is one of the most underrated attractions on this list. Due to its geographic location it is a little more difficult to access but worth it to those who make the trek to southern Montenegro!

Niš Fortress, Serbia

This 18th century Turkish era fortification (built on the remains of a previous fortress) is considered to be the most important building in old Nis, Serbia, and one of the best examples of Ottoman military architecture in the Balkans. An important cultural monument to the Serb nation due to its use by Bulgaria to imprison Serb patriots in the First World War, the prison is well worth visiting. Take your time though there are over 22 acres of land to visit in this public park!

Klis, Croatia

This fortress located in a high mountain pass north of Split is an important cultural site to the Croatian Nation. It is here that Petar Kružić, the great hero of the Croat nation staged a two decade resistance to the Ottoman Empire. For television fans, the complex was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones!

Smederevo, Serbia

Completed in 1430 by an ailing state, this fortress is perhaps the most important one constructed by the medieval rulers of Serbia. After taking heavy losses against the Ottoman’s in the Battle of Kosovo, the rulers of Serbia vainly attempted to resist the enemy advance by building imposing structures such as this. They may have failed to stop the Ottomans but as a testament to their military ingenuity this fortress has survived many sieges and Two World Wars to become one of the most important buildings remaining from late medieval Serbia.

Mystras, Greece

The site of the Crowning of Byzantine Kings is a magical place. Tucked away from the prying eye of tourists, deep in the Peloponnese peninsula, it is as authentic a sight as you will find anywhere. After the betrayal and capture of Constantinople by Venice, Genoa and the western crusaders during the doomed Fourth Crusade, Mystras became the de-facto capital of the Byzantine Empire – at that time referred to as the Byzantine Despotate of Morea. The beautiful city was abandoned during the Ottoman empire and remains but an elegant ruin to this day.

Palamidi Castle, Greece

Guarding the bay of Nafplio, in the Peloponnese peninsula this gentle giant witnessed the founding of the modern Greek State in 1834, after the hard fought years of the Greek Revolutionary War. Nafplio was made the capital of Greece for a brief period and the Venetian era castle became a symbol of the Greek nation. Today if offers stunning view of the meditteranian and the pretty city below it!

BONUS: Samuel’s Fortress, North Macedonia

Located up on a short hill overlooking the famous Lake Ohrid in southern Macedonia, this complex offers a stunning view of the old town and the orthodox Church of St. John below. Built by the tyrant king of Bulgaria, Tsar Samuel I of Bulgaria, it has withstood much of what the next turbulent millennia would throw at it!

Conclusion and Additional Castles

Although not included in this list, many other castles are worth your time to explore. This includes the likes of the fortifications of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), the Napoleonic castle of Dubrovnik (Croatia), pretty baroque Žužemberk (Slovenia), Blagaj Fortress (Bosnia), Marko’s Towers (Macedonia), Patras Castle (Greece), White Fortress (Bosnia) and many others. There are castles in every town and many of them are as pretty, menacing or distinguished as the ones on this list. A further follow up list -15 More Impressive Balkan Castle – may be completed as an extension of this article at a later date!

Herzec Novi, Sea Castle

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