Kalaja e Kaninës stands as a majestic ruin 380 meters above sea level on Mount Shushica, overlooking the Bay of Vlora with commanding strategic position. The fortress originates from the 3rd century BC as a settlement of the Amantes, an Illyrian tribe, before Byzantine transformation in the 4th century under Justinian I's reign. Its 1-kilometer surrounding wall encompasses 3.6 hectares, reflecting the castle's importance through medieval periods when it served the Angevin Kingdom and Principality of Valona until 1417, when Ottoman forces took control. Declared a cultural heritage monument in 1948, Kanina Castle remains a testament to the region's multilayered historical significance and architectural resilience.
