The earliest finds date to the end of the
Bronze Age, when early fortifications were built along the coast. Their purpose probably was to defend against
Dorian attacks in the 12th century BC. Later in the second half of the 4th century BC the site evolved into a small hill town. The castle's fortifications follow the trace of an
acropolis, with four subsequent phases of reconstruction, ranging from the early
Byzantine period to the late
Middle Ages. At the end of the 1st century BC the settlement was abandoned for more than 1100 years. Since then the history of the place has been closely linked with that of
Himara. but retreated in 1484. In 1488 the local Albanian population rebelled against Ottoman rule. In the 16th century Venetians retook Sopot under control, though it lost it later to local rebels. Its last ruler was
Ali Pasha of Yanina until it was abandoned. The walls of the castle, which follow the ancient fortifications, survive. In the interior, the medieval fortress was divided through a wall in two. Triangular towers were added later, probably during the middle Byzantine period. In the interior of the castle stand ruins of various buildings and
cisterns. == See also ==