Albania, The Forgotten Castle of Danja

Beautiful castle view, hike, picnic & history from the ruins The town of Vau Dejës is a rural community situated just 30 minutes east of Shkodër, it is the modern incarnaiton of the historic settlement of Denja, the medieval castle which commanded the strategic point where the Drin River exits the high mountains to the east and begins to snake its way across the plain of Zadrima towards the Adriatic. Once a vital center of trade and commerce during late Middle Ages, Vau Dejës is now a small town whose inhabitants support themselves through subsistence farming or by working at the nearby hydro-electric power plant build in 1971. Danja (Vau Dejës) enjoyed status as the seat of the Zaharias, one of Albania’s most distinguished feudal families, who commanded the region from Danja, their fortress stronghold perched high on the cliffs above Danja’s old town. Though long since abandoned, and almost lost to history, today the astonishingly well preserved ruins of Danja Castle provide breathtaking panoramas of Shkodër’s southern wine-country and the rugged peaks of the Albanian Alps. Just adjacent to the castle ruins sits the recently restored remains of the Church of Saint Maria, a Roman Catholic Church and monastery where, according to Barleti, Albania’s most famous national hero, Skanderbeg, was coronated as he began his rebellion against Ottoman Turks in the mid-15th century. Unfortunately, the original church was demolished by the communist regime in 1967. ITINERARY The tour will take from 3 to 4 hours this will depend how much time you would like to spend up there. Depart from meeting point at Shega e Eger: 30 minutes to drive to Vau Dejes 2km hike to the lost Castle of Danja Visit to the ancient Church of Vau Dejës Picnic: 90 minutes Return to city center: 45 minutes 20 euro per person: Include Guiding for 6 days Transportation in a minibus for 6 days Breakfast and dinner Accommodation in a comfortable country hotel in a double/twin room Not Included Lunch Transportation to and from the airport Hiking gear and equipment Bookable Extras Lunch can be added for $49 per person Book Today May 2024 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 Get in touch with us! Learn more about us and Albania by visiting our blog page . Click here Facebook Tripadvisor Instagram