Lezhe

About

Dating back to at least the 8th century BC, every major empire to hold power in the region had an interest in the strategically located town. Interestingly, while under ancient Illyrian and Macedonian control the town maintained a large degree of autonomy, and minted its own coins. Through the Middle Ages, it changed hands many times, eventually coming under Venetian control in 1386. Because it was under the Venetian control, Skanderbeg decided it would be a neutral place for the convention of Albanian, Serbian, Dalmatian and other lords to organizing their common defence against the Turks. Skanderbeg’s tomb is now one of the town’s main attractions, where visitors can learn about the Albanian national hero’s life. The other is Lezhe Castle, which has architectural elements from the city’s former Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rulers.