TIRANA, July 19/ATA/- Kanina is visited by 30 000 visitors per year and about 2 thousand inhabitants have benefit from the last year investment of the Albanian government in the road construction of the area, implemented by the Albanian Development Fund (ADF).
Investment in Kanina village road construction, in Vlora city comes in the light of the “100 villages” program that aims at establishing the first successful model on the integrated rural development of Albania following the best European standards.
The road provides a natural balcony with a uniqe panorama of the Vlora bay, as well as an easy access to the castle of Kanina.
Kanina Castle is situated in the village with the same name, 6 km south-east from Vlora. Built in the 3rd century BC on one of the oldest settlements in the area, the castle features Byzantine, Venetians and Turkish elements and a beautiful view over the Vlora city due to its position on top of a 380m hill (Shushica Mountain) above the sea level.
The castle has a major historical importance, being once the fortress of Gjergj Arianiti, Prince of Kanina, and the place where the national hero Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg and the Prince’s daughter, Donika got married.
In the 6th century BC it was rebuilt by Imperor Justinian and after a long period, in the 14th century, the castle represented the residence of the Principality of Valona.
Now, the settlement covers an area of 3 625 hectares, being one of the most important tourist attractions in Vlora and the entire Albania. //a.i/
