There is a place where time seems to have stopped, where everything is immersed in a suggestive and evocative atmosphere that seems to transport you to a landscape worthy of the most beautiful children's stories. Also an accomplice that castle that dominates the territory and it is the largest in the entire country.
This place is located in Albania, one of the most popular destinations in recent years for Italian and international travelers. The area, in fact, has become a favorite destination for summer holidays due to its seascape made up of crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, secret coves and cliffs.
However it is in the shadow of the places most frequented by tourism that hides the best kept secret in the country. We are talking about Gjirokastra, a city-museum declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO that will make you fall in love. Ready to go?
Gjirokastra, like in a fairy tale
Located in southern Albania and perched on the eastern side of Broad Mountain, Gjirokastra is a true gem. An open-air museum where the past lives and survives in all those visible testimonies that make the city unique in the entire country.
His heritage is immense., also recognized by UNESCO, and its cobbled streets are suggestive, which lead directly to the castle that dominates the entire city. Precisely around this iconic fortress, which has become a symbol of the area, its history unfolds.
After the birth of Gjirokastra Castle, around the middle of the 13th century, the fortified citadel who took his name. Centuries later, with the conquest of the city by Ottoman troops, the characteristic houses that today distinguish the city landscape were built.
The stone-roofed houses, which have earned Gjirokastra the nickname City of Stone and City of Silver (due to the characteristic reflection that the wet stone acquires when it shines in the sun), they look like small fortresses that overlook the cobblestone streets that intertwine and lead to the Bazaar, the beating heart of the old city where Turkish culture meets Albanian culture and the past coexists perfectly with the present. The neighborhood mosque, whose construction dates back to 1557, is also worth a worthy stop.
The charming city-museum
There are many different things to do and see in this gem nestled in the mountains. However a simple walk is enough among the characteristic houses and streets, full of history and charm, to live an incredible experience that seems to transport you to another dimension.
One of the Essential stops for those visiting Gjirokastra It is obviously its castle, where the history of the city originated. The fortress, which is the largest in all of Albania, is open to the public and has housed the Museum of Weapons since 1970. In addition, the building has been chosen several times over the years as a stage for the national folk music event.
If the charm of stone houses has not left you immune, then the advice is visit Casa Zekate, one of the oldest buildings in the city and the greatest example of Ottoman-style architecture in Gjirokastra. The privileged position of the house, located in the Palorto neighborhood, will allow you to enjoy a unique view. With just one look you can embrace the suggestive panorama of the city.
A must-see destination for lovers of international literature is the house of the famous writer Ismail Kadare in Sokaku i të Marrëve. Obviously, the city's bazaar is not to be missed: the corazón palpitante de Gjirokastra which will allow you to come into contact with the most authentic traditions and culture of the area.
