The castle of Porto Palermo (Albanian language Kalaja and Porto Palermos) is a small castle built in the bay of Porto Palermo, near Himara, most likely by French engineers, physically eliminated once the work was completed. The plan of the structure (triangular, with round-section towers) is very reminiscent of that of the castle of Butrint.
The castle later fell into Turkish hands, returning to the administration of the Eyalet of Ioannina.
In 1803, Ali Pasha of Tepeleni, lord of the Eyalet, offered the fort of Porto Palermo as a logistical support base for the Royal Navy.
In 1806 the castle was visited by the French consul general at the court of Ali Pasha, François Pouqueville and described as follows: The fort is located at the southern end of the bay, connected to the continent by a long and narrow isthmus. It consists of a clearing with bastions, equipped with a few cannons, useless both for guarding the accesses [to the bay] and for protecting the boats at anchor. Near it there are warehouses, a shop and a Greek church.