Once an important economic centre due to its flourishing Ottoman-era bazaar at the convergence of the Danube River and Aegean Sea trade routes, Shkodra today is the cradle of northern Albanian culture and of the Gheg dialect. When visiting this Shkodra on your holiday to Albania, a highlight of this lakeside town are the ruins of the Fortress of Rozafa, an ancient Illyrian castle built on a rock hill with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, the lake and the Lead Mosque.