Tuši's blog: 16945

Albania: Yearly Vacation - Albania - Castle of Rodon and Durrës

Seventeen days, two motorcycles, one destination. For this year's holiday, Nada and I headed to Albania, planning to explore its coastline from north to south before turning towards the mountains and making our way home through some of the country's most scenic landscapes.

After a relaxing day in Talë, it was time to continue our journey south. We packed the motorcycles and set off for another day of exploring Albania's coastline and lesser-known landmarks.

Our first destination was Cape of Rodon, a rugged headland stretching into the Adriatic Sea. Here we visited the ruins of Rodoni Castle, a fortress built by Skanderbeg in the 15th century, before continuing to the nearby beach of Plazhi i Bunkerit. A short walk along the coast also brought us to Kisha e Shën Ndojit / Church of St. Anthony of Padua, a small church standing in a picturesque location by the sea - Garmin Connect.

From Cape of Rodon, we continued towards Durrës, Albania's second-largest city and one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast. After finding a place to park the motorcycles, we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch and spent some time wandering through the city before continuing south.

The final stop of the day came near Fier, where we explored an abandoned power plant, a striking reminder of Albania's industrial past. Its weathered structures and silent halls provided a completely different atmosphere from the beaches, castles and historic towns we had visited earlier in the day.

As the afternoon gradually turned into evening, we completed the final kilometres to our apartment in Vlorë. Another day had passed, combining history, seaside scenery, urban exploration and a glimpse into a forgotten industrial landscape, all while slowly making our way along the Albanian coast.

Previous days of Albania Moto trip 2025: Day 4 - 16944, Day 3 - 16943, Day 2 - 16942, Day 1 - 16941.

Not so good roads let us to Kepi i Rodonit / Cape of Rodon.

The final stretch to Rodoni Castle had to be completed on foot.

Leaving the motorcycles behind, we continued along the final 500-metre trail to the castle - Garmin Connect.

Nature had done its part. Unfortunately, not everyone else had.

View through the windows.

Rodoni Castle was built by Skanderbeg around 1450 to strengthen Albania's coastal defenses.

The walls of the castle that was completed in approximately 1452 had a length of 400 metres.

When the Siege of Krujë started in 1466 Skanderbeg retreated to Rodoni Castle from where he and his family, together with many people from Albania, were transported to Brindisi in 14 ships.

According to Marin Barleti this castle was destroyed by Ottoman forces in 1467. In 1500 the castle was rebuilt by the Republic of Venice.

Rodoni Castle is one of the few Albanian fortresses built directly on a narrow peninsula, with the Adriatic Sea protecting it on three sides.

An unusual combination: motorcycles, bunkers and Plazhi i Bunkerit.

The cost of tourism.

During Albania's communist era, the entire peninsula became a restricted military zone and was dotted with bunkers, many of which can still be seen today. And we can see more than that.

Thunder and Blue Horse.

For centuries, St. Anthony's Church has watched over the rugged coastline of Cape Rodon.

The restored church preserves traces of its medieval heritage.

Back on the road, destination Durrës.

Hafiz Ali Podgorica, the first mayor of Durrës (1909-1912) and the view to Amphitheatre of Durrës, the largest Roman amphitheatre ever discovered in the Balkans.

Built by the Venetians after they seized Durrës in 1392, the tower formed part of the city's formidable defensive walls.

Lunch time.

Built in the 1960s, the Fier Power Plant was once Albania's largest thermal power station, with an installed capacity of 186 MW. Fuelled by heavy oil from the nearby refinery, it supplied both electricity and steam to the neighbouring fertilizer factory. Once one of the country's most important power plants, the facility was finally shut down in 2007 and gradually fell into ruin. We didn't stay long and we moved on to Vlorë.