Rozafa Castle, Skodër
On the ride to Skodër, David's colleague shared the Albanian legend about the medieval Rozafa Castle:
This legend was first written down by famous local writer Marin Barleti in 1504. The story goes that the three brothers who were constructing the castle arrived to work each day finding the previous day's work demolished. A wise man was consulted and told them that only a human sacrifice could stop the devil from destroying their work, and the brothers agreed to offer the first of their wives who would come up the hill to bring food. Unfortunately, the two older brothers broke their promises and told their wives to stay at home ("Don't deliver lunch tomorrow, Babe.") – and it was the youngest brother's beautiful wife Rozafa who showed up the next day with lunch. She valiantly agreed to be walled into the castle on one condition – a hole should be left so that her right arm could caress her newborn son, her right breast could feed him, and her right foot could rock his cradle. Rozafa is said to still be in a wall of the castle today which remains standing.
Not sure about the takeaway from this story, but I sure won't be taking lunch to David any time soon!
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