Ali Pasha was a local leader who lead a series of revolts against the Ottoman Empire in the early C19th. He built a series of fortresses, including this one near Port Palmero, to consolidate his power base.
The fortress is built on the foundations of an earlier C15/16th Venetian triangular fort which controlled the trade routes in the Adriatic and Ionian Sea.
The fortress is reached by a rough track across a narrow and easily defended causeway.
It is surrounded by tall walls and there are watch towers at the corners and a single entrance. Inside there is a network of dark narrow passageways giving access to the different parts of the fortress. Steps lead up to the top of the fort with gun emplacements and a small stone arsenal.
In some ways there isn’t a lot to see, but it makes a good break on the way to Saranda. It can be quite dark inside the fort and a torch is a good idea. There are good views from the top.
There is a parking area with cafes by the track across the causeway. There little information at the site or on the web.
