Gjirokastër, Ottoman fortress in southern Albania.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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Gjirokastër Castle
433 m
Antigonea Archaeological Park
7.2 km
Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër
349 m
Zekate House
651 m
Subi Bakiri Stadium
470 m
Gjirokastër Mosque
402 m
Zall Teqe
1.4 km
Libohovë Castle
11.9 km
Gjirokastër Ethnographic Museum
428 m
Kordhocë bridge
3.4 km
Meçite Mosque, Gjirokastër
154 m
National Museum of Weapons
466 m
Meçite Hamam, Gjirokastër
149 m
Kadare-House in Gjirokastra
279 m
Rrënojat e teatrit antik
11.6 km
Shën Triadha Castle
3.4 km
Skllapua Castle
12.5 km
Angonate House
449 m
House of Abdyl Babaramo and Isuf Jaho
460 m
Glissement de terrain de Këllez
8.6 km
Babameto house in Gjirokastër
446 m
Saint Sotir Church, Gjirokastër
366 m
House of Muhamet Fico
297 m
Skenduli house in Gjirokastër
444 m
Archaeological Park of Antigonea
7.1 km
Historic center of Gjirokastra
349 m
Εκκλησία Ευαγγελίστρια Σωφρατίκων
11.5 km
Gjirokastër Clock Tower
347 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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