Cape of
Rodon, lies in a triangular shape between the Gulf of Rodon in the north and
the Lalzi Bay in the South. The beautiful clay hills are covered by forests,
green mixing with the blue of the sea.
The name of
the cape, is thought to come from the Illyrian god of the sea, Redon, like
Poseidon for the Greeks or Neptune for the Romans.
The Castle
of Rodon, or as it is often called, Skanderbeg’s Castle, was built under
Skanderbeg's command over the years of 1451-1452. The castle is about 10-12 m
high and the walls have a thickness of 3-6 m. The purpose of this castle was to
provide a communication outlet on the coast, without being dependent of Venice,
which at that time controlled the coast. By having this castle and its small
harbor, Skanderbeg had a drop port to develop his commercial activity with the
West, after the Albanian-Turkish war was 'swallowing' multiple incomes. After
the death of Skanderbeg the castle was taken over by the Venetians, who in 1500
undertook a reconstruction of the castle. Their aim was to strengthen the
monopolitan position to control the trade and to enhance security that was
threatened by the Turks and the goals of the Albanian feudal lords who wanted
to go out onto the coast. Years later when the castle was occupied by the Turks,
the castle was not used for military purposes anymore as it required additional
work to defend it from the enemy artillery and warships.
Near the
castle of the Cape there were four Catholic churches that have existed before
the castle was built, the church of St. Anastasis, St. Nicholas, St. Mary and
St. Anthony. The church of St. Anthony is the only object that still exists
until today. Fully restored in the late 1990s, the church belongs to the
Romanesque-Gothic architecture. A characteristic of which are the sharp bows.
The church of St. Anthony is estimated to have been built in the 14th or 15th
century.