The fortified settlement of Kanina was first mentioned in Procopius' De Aedificiis as Kionin. However, archeological excavation suggest a settlement already in the 3rd century BCE. The fortification had been renovated under the rule of Justinian. Kanina became an ecclesiastical and regional center in the Gulf of Valon in the 9th or 10th century and was designated a bishopric around 1019. The settlement was as part of the Thema of Jericho also the site of battles between the Norman and Byzantine armies, as described by Anna Comnena. The settlement was conquered by the Normans. After the dismantling of the Bishopric of Vlora Kanina became its successor. Kanina became part of the Kingdom of Sicily during the reign of King Manfred of Hohenstaufen (*1232; † 26th of February 1266), and after his death it became part of the realm of Charles of Anjou. In 1284 Kanina again became a part of the Byzantine Empire. In 1345 the Serbian king Stefan Uroš IV Dušan conquered the region, followed by the Albanian prince Balsha II († 18th of September 1385) in 1372. 1395 the successor of Balsha II tried to sell Kanina to the Venetians for 7000 ducats, this endevour was only successful in 1400. But already in 1417 Kanina became part of the Ottoman Empire. Kanina is economical and political closely connected to Vlora (AA I, 71 (23); KJ Sp., XI, 33 (47); HI SDSArv., 33 - ad partes Canninae; u kulě Kaninьskom; vilayet-i Kaina).