“Albania 🇦🇱 and Kosovo 🇽🇰 ~Finally Made Krujë”
Driving in Albania has many challenges. One of them is the lack of road systems, making any trip in, the same trip out. Luckily the scenic drive on this day was worth a repeat. It is also quite easy to get lost, as our “maps” which usually does a great job, falls short in Albania. If you are thinking, “just buy a travel book or a map,” that is a good idea when coming from America on vacation, but not so convenient when “in country” to find such things. If they were available, we would!
We were quite excited about visiting a lake and several old villages in the mountains, and while the map indicated the directions skirted the border of Kosovo, we ended up crossing into Kosovo! After a million hours driving, we opted for another end game that would have us finishing this day in Krujë.
Before that point, first I must back up and mention our first couple of destinations, once we left Shkoder, Albania 🇦🇱. First stop was finding a very old bridge that dates back to the Ottoman Empire era. We got distracted, however, on the way to that destination, when we noticed a swap “meat” of sorts going on. We know from other country visits, these gatherings only occur on occasion; perhaps once a month. We pulled into a yard and wandered around. It was old-world, meets a new world kind of commotion. I’m sure the trading has been going on forever, but now there are motorized vehicles for hauling the stock, as well as horse and carts from the days of yore.
Soon, with the sun beating hot, down on us, we headed for the A/C in the car, and continued on our way to find the old bridge. We found it, and it was worth getting lost for, and working at finding the treasure!
The magical Mesi Bridge is a treasured Albanian monument, with a rich visible history, crossing what is normally, beautiful crystalline turquoise waters of the river below.
Ura e Mesit (Mesi’s Bridge, or the middle bridge) was constructed in the 18th century by Mehmet Bushatlliu “The Old” to connect the Albanian highlands with the port city of Shkoder over the Kiri River
Mesi Bridge is a monument of Post-Tribal culture. For foreigners the architecture of the bridge is intriguing with round slick stones and stone plates. The surrounding panorama gives the bridge an even more picturesque view. The Albanian Development Fund invested 13 million lekë (equivalent to over one million US dollars). so the tourists could actually step on the bridge.
Our next destination would go terribly wrong, but it was totally fine, at the same time, because it’s only when we get lost, that we truly find ourselves! This was one of those times and it was as much magical, as it was hilarious! Memories, not soon forgotten. Daryl was like, let’s just keep going, and of course I wanted to as well, but our rental car agreement does not allow us leaving Albania. We will get back to Kosovo. That’s for sure! Though we did not make our destination we set out for, the road-tripping was grand. Going into Kosovo 🇽🇰 for us, was like the one time we entered Bosnia Herzegovina 🇧🇦. No time to explore, but definitely a plan to return, when we can properly adventure within their boundaries. Anyway, the scenic drive in the open road was really fun. The highway was very blocked up on the edges, so pulling over to take photos was more limited than what I like. But we did the best we could. At one point, we entered a tunnel that was three miles long! Way too long to “hold your breath on” for good luck 🍀 😉.
Because of its location on the Adriatic and Ionnia seas, Albania has long served as a bridgehead for various nations and empires seeking conquest abroad. In the 2nd century BCE the Illyrians were conquered by the Romans, and from the end of the 4th century CE they were ruled by the Byzantine Empire. After suffering centuries of invasion by Visigoths, Huns, Bulgars and Slavs, the Albanians were finally conquered by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. The Ottoman rule cut off Albania from Western civilization for more than four centuries, but in the late 19th century the country began to remove itself from Ottoman influence and to rediscover old affinities and common interests with the West.
Albania was declared independent in 1912, but the following year the demarcation of its boundaries by the great powers of Europeassigned about half its territory and people to neighbouring states. Ruled as a monarchy between the World Wars, Albania emerged from the violence of World War II as a communist state that fiercely protected its sovereignty and in which almost all aspects of life were controlled by the ruling party. But with the collapse of other communist regimes beginning in 1989, new social forces and democratic political parties emerged in Albania. That shift reflected the country’s continuing orientation toward the West, and it accorded with the Albanian people’s long-standing appreciation of Western technology and cultural achievements—even while retaining their own ethnic identity, cultural heritage, and individuality.
After our Kosovo 🇽🇰 “trip,” 😂 we really did not mind going back out the same way we came in, because it was really THAT beautiful, but we did lose a lot of drive time.
It all worked out, as it usually does, because we started focusing on some more castles visits. We had traveled as far North in Albania as we could find abroad for, so we have turned back down South to hit on some places we want to see. Driving the length of Albania takes days and days, but driving it’s width is mere hours.
Next up was finding the town of Krujë, which also has a castle to see. At this point, in our new way of traveling with no booked reservations, we have to be mindful of our daylight and gauge, properly. We turned off the highway at a sign that was well marked for Krujë. We had to trust the GPS, because we really knew no other way. We went from pavement to potted dirt roads, back to a decent blacktop that began twisting and turning through an old forest. It went on and on. Dark would be coming soon, and it looked like rain would be included. I said out loud; “either this is going to be an amazing location, or it’s going to be a disaster.” Lucky for us, it was amazing. We finally came out of the beautiful forest and there popped out a town, built in the heart of the mountains! Number one, I knew we could find lodging, and two, we were not lost again, as we had thought for awhile there!
Completely spent, we got into our room, checked out our lovely view for a hot second, tossed our luggage and headed for the restaurant. We were famished. During our yummy dining, we were treated to nature’s storm, that is always more intense in the mountains. We were safe, dry, and fed. We counted our blessings, again!
This historic city is close to 2,000 feet above sea level and offers an open vista to an amazing panoramic view.
The name and the importance of the city are closely related to the 25 years of activity of our national hero, Skanderbeg, who in the fifteenth century made Kruja a bastion of uncompromising resistance against the Ottoman. The Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Museum is situated inside the castle walls, which date back to the fifth and sixth centuries A.D.
Near the castle’s entrance is a traditional market, which dates back to the period of Skanderbeg. Here, tourists can find Albanian craft products such as embroidered items, carpeting, silver objects, copper, alabaster, filigree, traditional clothing, antiques at the traditional Old Baazar of Kruja
Kabuni is a traditional Albanian dessert. It is made of rice fried in butter, mutton broth, or meat from the lambs neck, kraisins, and some salt. It is then boiled before sugar, cinnamon, almonds and ground cloves are added. It is served cold or warm
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Hello and Welcome to our Travel Blog Website, We enjoy writing about our experiences and taking photos of our adventuring along the way. Our names are: Daryl and Pen, but Daryl calls me “Bunny.” We met, quite randomly, whilst both… Read More
Really enjoyed the history in this post & love seeing travel off the beaten path! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for commenting, Franny!
I love learning about the history and being in ancient places with so much to tell!
We do get around and see places far less traveled. Sometimes the worst road, leads to the best places!
We are currently working with a new web designer who is fixing any issues with notifications and registration on our website relating to the commenting. We hope you see this reply from me.
thank you! We do get off the beaten path a lot. Its the best part about self-touring!
Dang, y’all are sure making up for lost time!!! So glad everything went well – eventually, if not sooner.
We are! And, slowing getting our groove back. This new way of travel is an adjustment, as we roll into towns and hope to find lodging.and all. In the end, it actually pretty freeing.
Btw
We are currently working with a new web designer who is fixing any issues with notifications and registration on our website relating to the commenting. We hope you see this reply from me
Thanks friend. I appreciate your words!