Prime Minister Edi Rama on Saturday shared images on social media showing the historic site crowded with tourists.

Perched on a rocky hill west of Shkodra and surrounded by the Drin, Buna and Kiri rivers, Rozafa Castle is one of Albania’s most visited historic heritage sites.

The fortress bears traces of several historical periods, including the Balsha dynasty in the 14th century, Venetian rule in the 15th century, Ottoman rule in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the Bushati dynasty in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Built on the site of an ancient Illyrian stronghold, the castle is also associated with the legend of Rozafa, which centres on the traditional Albanian concept of besa, or a solemn pledge.

The fortified settlement is first mentioned during the reign of Illyrian King Gentius. The fortress became known as Rozafa in the medieval period, when the area came under alternating Slavic and Byzantine rule.

The complex contains former garrisons, storage facilities and administrative buildings, with its interior divided into three courtyards by defensive walls and gates.

Other notable features include 15th-century water cisterns and a 13th-century cathedral, which was converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest. The Rozafa Museum documents the castle’s different historical periods and its archaeological heritage.

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In a post on social media, Rama accused those behind the reviews of seeking to undermine Albania’s image as a tourist destination and discourage foreign visitors.

“What is your problem with Rozafa Castle? Do you want to damage tourism as much as possible and drive foreign visitors away?” Rama wrote.

He urged prosecutors to act swiftly against those responsible, alleging they were harming the public interest and using such actions to intimidate businesses and citizens.

“I hope the prosecution acts as soon as possible against those who are damaging public and private property and blackmailing the citizens of this country,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister’s comments followed a wave of negative ratings and reviews posted on Google for Rozafa Castle, as well as for numerous businesses, which he said were harming the image of Albania’s tourist destinations.

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The three-day event opened in the northern Albania city of Shkodër on Friday with a workshop titled “Recycle, Protect the Environment, Preserve Values” and will continue through May 10.

Students from the arts faculty of Luigj Gurakuqi University created an installation featuring the official logo of the event using recycled plastic waste collected from disposal sites around the castle grounds. The installation attracted strong interest from visitors.

As part of the European initiative, fortresses, castles, museums and other historical sites across Europe are opening their doors to visitors through cultural and educational programmes linking heritage preservation with sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.

Alongside Rozafa Castle, this year’s edition also includes participating sites in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Events at Rozafa Castle include workshops with university students and an environmental-themed art exhibition by artists Kaltrina Hoti and Teuta Lagja.

Organisers said the initiative aims to raise awareness about sustainable tourism and environmental practices, encourage responsible use of resources and promote cultural heritage as a key element of sustainable development and community inclusion.

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