What a day! A Truly Special Day in Krujë
Artisan Workshop, following in Skanderbeg’s footsteps, A Bektashi Pilgrimage and a Spectacular View from Sarisalltik
Skanderbeg, in the fifteenth century, made Krujë an impenetrable force of uncompromising resistance against the Ottomans. Until the his last day, the Ottomans were unsuccessful in breaching this city on the mountain. Overlooking all the land below to the sea is the Castle of Krujë, and positioned inside the walls of the castle is the Skanderbeg Museum. The castle dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries AD.
At the entrance to the castle is the famous Krujë bazaar (Artisan market), which also dates back to the period of Skanderbeg. You can find true hand crafted authentic artisan products such as embroidered items, carpeting, silver objects, copper, alabaster, filigree, traditional clothing, and antiques.
Krujë is a very authentic city with very few foreign visitors. Often when people visit Albania, they gravitate to the coastal towns and stay in Tirana, but the entire time in Krujë I fantasized about what it would be like to live there. It’s a very special place with a very unique charm and an extraordinary position on the slopes of Krujë Mountain.
Strolling through the cobblestone streets of Krujë’s medieval old bazaar you get a sense of as though you are walking through a passage steeped in history.
Artisan Workshop with Çimi
Albanian hats, known as the ‘qeleshe’ are found in shops in the Old Bazaar. The hat that dates back to ancient times and has always been an essential part of Albanian traditional customs. Wool is used to make felt and you must wash the fabric with soap and water thoroughly. The fabric passes through 16 different phases in order to create the “qeleshe”.
Today, I had the pleasure to be taught by one of the very talented and highly skilled, not to mention incredibly kind and inviting artisans whose family has been crafting their art for generations in Krujë. Together we made a wool bag using the generations of knowledge and expertise. His father taught him the craft, and his father’s father and he is continuing the tradition and teaching his son this amazing artisan craftsmanship.
To make his artisan work even more exemplary, his wife embroiders beautiful designs on the slippers and hats that he makes. This shop is a MUST stop shop. As you enter the bazaar, it is the 3rd shop on your right 🙂 (A typical Albanian address)
Kruja Castle
After making my one-of-a-kind wool bag, we continued onto the castle and explored the medieval tower, the defensive wall and the incredible Skanderbeg Museum. The views from this historical sight were stunning and on a clear day you can see far past Tirana and out to the Adriatic sea.
Sarisalltik Holly Cave
Then we hopped into the car and drove up up up the twisting and winding road to the very top of the mountain where there is a mosque, 2000 m above the sea that is quite literally part of the mountain. Once arriving to the top of the mountain by car, we took some stairs down the side of the mountain to discover a mosque carved into the mountain itself.
At this very moment, from August 14 – September 14 annually is The Pilgrimage. This place marks the epicentre of dissemination of the Bektashi Order in Albania. For the Bektashi believers, climbing the mountain has a sacred meaning.
Artisan Workshop in Krujë
Artisan Workshop in Krujë
Artisan Workshop in Krujë
Artisan Workshop in Krujë
Artisan Workshop in Krujë
Castle of Kruja
Castle of Kruja
Castle of Kruja
Castle of Kruja
Castle of Kruja
Castle of Kruja
Castle of Kruja
Castle of Kruja
View from Sari Salltik
Sari Salltik
Sari Salltik
Please note that I have not received these products for free or at a discounted price in exchange for my opinion. There may be links that are affiliate links but at the time of posting this review, I have not received any monetary kickbacks.