Gjirokastër, Ottoman fortress in southern Albania.
Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania in Gjirokastër County. The gray stone houses climb the slopes of the Drino valley and form narrow lanes with many stairs between the different levels.
The fortress on the hill dates from the fourth century and formed the core of the first settlement. The town grew considerably during the nineteenth century and many of the stone houses standing today were built in that period.
The name comes from the Greek word for silver and points to early mining in the region. The old houses still serve as homes today and their thick stone walls keep cool in summer and warm in winter.
The lanes are steep and require good footwear for the climb to the castle. Most places can be reached on foot but visitors should allow time for frequent breaks to manage the changes in elevation.
Residents collect rainwater in large cisterns beneath their houses and still use it today for daily needs. Each larger house has these underground water stores that are often carved several meters (around 10 feet) deep into the rock.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
