Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra, Albania

The old buildings in Gjirokastra, Albania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gjirokastran_view_of_the_city.jpg
Author: Joonas Lyytinen


Berat and Gjirokastra are two historic towns in the southern part of Albania. They were inscribed as World Heritage Sites in 2005, and extended in 2008. The heritage core zones cover a total area of 58.9 hectares while the buffer zone encompasses 136.2 hectares.

What to See in Berat and Gjirokastra

The town of Berat (or Berati in Albanian) has a 13th century castle, called Kala, whose roots goes back to the 4th century. There are also churches from the 13th century Byzantine era as well as mosques from the 15th century Ottoman era. The town of Gjirokastra (also written Gjirokastër or Gjirokaster) has well-preserved two-storey houses from the 17th century. It also has a bazaar, an 18th century mosque and two churches from that period.

Citadel of Berat, Albania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Citadel_of_Berat.jpg
Author: Joonas Lytinen


The World Heritage Site covers the old quarters of Berat and Gjirokastra. Berat is located on the right bank of the Osum river, just before the confluence with the Molisht river. The town has a population of around 45,000.

Gjirokastra is located on the Drinos river valley. It is the birthplace of Albanian Communist dictator Enver Hoxha, who was born there in 1908.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N40 4 10 E20 7 60
Inscription Year: 2005
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: III, IV Advisory Body of Evaluation was conducted in 2005 and 2008. Berat and Gjirokastra were inscribed when the World Heritage Committee decided at the 29th session in Durban, South Africa, on 10-17 July, 2005.

Getting there

It is possible to take a shared taxi called furgon from Tirana, the capital of Albania, to visit Berat. You can also take a bus or furgon to Gjirokaster.

Berat Orthodox Cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_orthodox_cathedral_of_Berat.jpg
Author: Decius

List of World Heritage Sites in Albania and World Heritage Sites in the World

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