The castle of Onhezm

Onhezm Castle (Land) has its ruins in the center of Saranda. It is of the Late Antiquity period and was built in three different phases, the first Cen phase. IV-I p.e.s, second phase Cen. I-IV of e.s. and the third phase IV-VI of e.s. The castle has the shape of a horseshoe and surrounds 5.45 ha area, it is located in front of the sea where the Entrance Gate to the Castle is located. 20 towers have been built along the perimeter walls where 8 of them have been discovered. In shape they are circular, quadrangular and pentagonal protruding completely outside the perimeter wall. Today, the northern tower with higher walls is preserved. The thickness of the walls is 2-2.50m and the height reaches up to 6.50m on the north side where it is and better preserved. “Basilica-Synagogue” was discovered inside the walls of the Castle. The monument is a three-nave paleo-Christian basilica, with an apse, a nave, a narthex and two northern and southern naves, dated to belong to Cenell IV-V after K. At the end of Cen.V and the beginning of Cen VI it is thought to be transformed into a synagogue. Today, the condition of the Monument is good after it has been restored. The wall of the Castle is made of stones of different sizes and lime mortar. It is a massive wall up to 2.5m wide.