Albana, the Illyrian village on the Italian-Slovenian border

 The village named 'Albana' lies in Prepotto, a province of Udine in the canton of Friuli, Italy. Albana is a small village located at the Italian-Slovenian border.

In the middle of the village there is also the Albana Castle. The castle, which bears the name of the village of Albana, dates back over 2000 years ago, as locals and peasants say, from the Illyrian era, but the Albana castle was discovered and repaired in the 12th century by the inhabitants of the Illyrian peninsula. This castle is now private property, and it is not yet open to visitors, whether locals or foreigners.

Rina Pulz (Gorizia), who tells to the national news agency Presheva Jone that she often goes to the village of Albana with he friends. With Rina we speak Italian and Slovenian sometimes, as she is fluent in both languages. She, although Italian, but of Slovenian descent, does not hide the reality and explains that, “Albana is an Illyrian village, whether or not anyone wants to accept this reality.

Albana Castle

After all, the name Albana itself speaks best of the origins of this village. In addition, even our ancestors, my ancestors, have told me that this village, in earlier times, belonged to the Illyrians." Ms. Pulz also explains that the best wine in Italy comes from the village of Albana. "Many tourists, businessmen, both local and foreign, rash to the village of Albana each year to provide wine for the winter, red wine like blood, like your Albanian flag," Rina says laughing.

Castle of Albana

An Italian historian wrote that "In July 1478, at the time of the Ottoman invasion, by the order of Iskander Bey (Skanderbeg) led by Yuri Fuchina of Kobari were spread in the Gorizia areas with Cormòns to resist the Ottomans. Then, as far as the Judrio River, Iskander Bey's troops marched to Albana Castle where they joined other military groups along the Isonzo. This speaks of Skanderbeg's admiration for Albana.



 In the Illyrian village, today, even though no one speaks Albanian, there is the land that peaks Albanian, the Castle speaks Albanians and also the eagles flying above the sky of the Illyrian village. We left the Illyrian village, Albana, leaving quietly the eagles in order to fly to their free skies…!