Raised high above the river in the northern corner of the city centre. Tepelena's castle is an inhabited city district surrounded by mighty fortress walls and a pleasant park. The original 14th-century castle on this spot was enlarged to become Ali Pasha's stronghold in the 19th century. A plaque on one of the walls commemorates the dashing English writer and poet Lord Byron (1788-1824) who travelled extensively in Albania and enjoyed Ali Pasha's hospitality here on many occasions.