Culture and history info

NAME: The name of the city is related to the Albanian word: kroi, krua, meaning : "fountain" or “water source”, Medieval Greek : Croai, Medieval Latin : Croia, Croya and Croarum

Albanian : KRUJA

The capital of Albania in the 15th century,the capital of the first Albanian state, the Principality of Arbër. This city was a stronghold of the Albanian resistance against the Ottomans.

Nowadays, Kruja is a town in north central Albania, only 20 km north from the capital,Tirana.

Krujë was inhabited by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani.

The castle of Kruja was built in 1190, on a rocky hill. During the period of Skanderbeg and the defense of the Albanians against the Ottoman occupation, it became the main fortress of resistance. The castle has now been transformed into “ Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu National Museum”.

You will learn more about the history and lifestyle of the Albanians of this era by visiting the musem dedicated to the Albanian national hero where are exhibited many original objects, documents and bibliographies.

There is also an Ethnographic Museum in Kruja, it was erected in the house of the Toptan family, which is a “porch” type building from 1764. The apartment is a cultural monument of category 1 and it presents a complete picture of the crafts practiced in Kruja and throughout Albania 300 years ago. More than 90 percent of the objects in this museum are original and 100%.

Another attraction is the Old Bazaar that is the heart of the city. A lively place, full of beautiful souvenirs where it is impossible not to stop when visiting the city.