Rozafës

Rozafës refers to a central figure in Albanian folklore and to the fortress associated with her name. The tale centers on Rozafa, believed to be the wife of a soldier or builder, and on the fortress later called Kalaja e Rozafës (Rozafa Castle) located near Shkodër in northern Albania. The legend explains the fortress’s name and is a staple of regional folklore.

The story exists in multiple northern Albanian and adjacent Balkan variants and is primarily transmitted through oral tradition. While details differ, the core motif remains: a project to build a strong wall is at risk of collapse unless a sacred sacrifice is made.

In most versions, Rozafa agrees to be walled up alive within the fortress wall so that the construction will stand and the community will prosper. The sacrifice is often tied to emotional motives such as love or duty, and the tale concludes with Rozafa’s lament and the completion of the work, though the precise circumstances vary by community.

Rozafës has had lasting cultural impact in Albania and the wider Balkans. It is referenced in literature, folk songs, and art and informs the toponymy of the Rozafa Castle, a major historic site overlooking Shkodër. The legend is frequently cited as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the human cost of communal projects.