Berat and Gjirokastra

Berat and Gjirokastra
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The Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra are both well-preserved Ottoman towns, decorated with outstanding examples of kule (Balkan-Ottoman style houses).

The nomination further includes Berat castle, mosques, churches and the Gorica bridge.

Year Decision Comments
2008ExtendedTo include the city centre of Berat
2005 Inscribed Reasons for inscription
1991ReferredBureau - mission to help Albania with Management plans etc

Reviews

Mitch Hodge (USA):
It's been four years since my visit. I was actually going from Tirana to Sarande by car, quite hazardly. If you decide on a private car, allow yourself plenty of time to arrive by sundown.
We broke down in this town, found a place to stay, and I woke up to the sound of donkeys plodding down the cobble street. Out my window, I could see the fortress that anchors the town.
The town itself has a beautiful texture. Most of the old houses are built from small stacked stones with slate roofs. Narrow streets wind between these buildings. It's easy to get lost, which was the best part.
I went in January. I would dare say I was the only tourist in town that day. When I walked up to the fortress, it was locked. A police officer saw me and simply unlocked it for me and I spent the day wandering freely throughout the fortress. It's high up on my list of favorite places!
 
():
Gjirokastra is one very very beautifull city. All the construcion of the city is with stone,all the houses ,all the stret everithing is perfekt. I have vizit also ather city of Albania and they are very beautifull too.For example Apollonia,Saranda,Berati,Vlora and Durres.
 
Arber (Albania):
I was in Gjirokastra just one day before it was proclaimed a world heritage site.My first impressions on the city were very complex, but one thought stayed in my mind during the whole trip, what was it like to live there 200 years ago, who were the people that lived in those magical and mystical houses, and what did the great castle witness during centuries of war. The city spoke of greatness and the stone houses together with the amazing view of the mountains and valleys, reflected the character of the people there. Amazing,rigid, mystical,friendly, this was Gjirokastra in one day for me.
Date posted: July 2005


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