Ali Pasha Castle (Kalaja e Ali Pashë Tepelenës) is a fortress on an island in the Straits of Corfu, named after the Ottoman ruler Ali Pasha of Tepelenë who resided there until 1820. It can be reached by boat from the ancient city of Butrint.
The fortress is located about three kilometres west of Butrint at the estuary of the Vivar Channel in the Ionian Sea. It has a rectangular form with 22 by 30-metre sides. Towers with guns are located on every corner.
The castle was probably built in the 18th century by the Venetians as part of their fortification system in Butrint. Ali Pasha seized and improved it after the Republic of San Marco was dissolved in 1797. Along with Butrint, he kept it under his control until he died in 1822. He even ruled from there for a time around 1820.
Ali Pasha used several fortresses to control the large parts of northern Greece and southern Albania. Others can be found in Teppelenë or in Porto Palermo Bay on the Albanian Riviera.
The fortress is accessible only by boat. Boat owners gather at the main entrance of the Butrint Archaeological Site. The price is around 10 euros pro person, depending on the size of your group. Adventure enthusiasts can take a kayaking trip.
Cover picture by Jakub Hrab
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