The magnificent castle located in Shkodër holds one of the most interesting and saddest legends of the country.
It is about three brothers married to three women who lived in northern Albania. The three brothers worked day and night to build a fort, but every time they finished the work, the walls of this fort collapsed. One day, an old man told them that there was a way to stop the walls of this castle from collapsing, one sacrifice and this castle will rise. This sacrifice consisted in sacrificing one of the women, burying one of them in the wall of the castle, whoever will send them their bread in the morning. This discussion between the brothers and the old man should remain between them alone.
“At home, don’t talk about the words I’m going to tell you. The one who will come tomorrow, bring breakfast, take her and wall her up alive in the castle wall“, were the old man’s words.
According to legend, the two older brothers explained the situation to their wives, while the younger brother kept his word. The next day came and the brothers were anxiously waiting for who would come to bring them breakfast. The one who was to be sacrificed turned out to be Rozafa, the younger brother’s wife, who was unaware of anything.
“The hammers stopped, they did not give up, but their hearts beat hard. The faces turned pale, the younger brother sees his wife and throws the hammer from his hand, curses the stone and the wall“. The younger brother, Rozafa’s husband, tells her that she must be sacrificed and buried in the castle walls in order for the castle to rise. According to legend, Rozafa accepted her fate, but she had only one wish.
“I will leave an order, when you wall me up, leave my right eye out, my right hand out, my right leg out, my right breast out. My son is small, when he starts to cry, he will look at him with one eye, caress him with one hand, rock the cradle with one foot and feed him with one breast. May my chest be hardened, may the castle stand, may my son be brave, may he become king and reign“, these are the words of Rozafa according to the legend.
