Gjirokastër

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Gjirokastra is one of the oldest cities in the country, and a cultural center of the Greek minority in Albania. The city is the birthplace of dictator Enver Hoxha and of the writer Ismail Kadare. The historic part of the city was placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2005 because of the large number of 19th century houses which makes the city famous.

The city with the thousand stairs is a maze of small streets with old fashioned cobbled streets where you can wander around and where you can never get lost because you only have to look at the big castle which can be seen everywhere on the hill. Besides the old architecture, Gjirokastra is also known for its five-yearly National Folklore Festival (Festival Folklorik Kombëtar i Gjirokastrës), which takes place at the castle.

The old town of Gjirokastra:

The old town of "Gjirokastra" is known for its hundreds of old traditional Albanian houses built in the 19th century. In addition, the setting of the center, partly built against the mountain with the castle above it, is a big plus.

A number of traditional houses have been turned into a kind of museum (Zekate and Skenduli) where you pay a small contribution for a free tour. Consisting of three floors they have a number of very large storage rooms, toilets, rooms for guests and beautiful balconies with views over the whole city.

On the spot where the ethnographic museum is now, the building what was the birthplace of old dictator "Enver Hoxha" once stood. Perhaps the pinnacle of the city is the (silver) castle (Kalaja e Gjirokastrës) which towers high over "Gjirokastra" and also contains a museum. The panorama from the terrace is excellent, but you can also view the gallery full of old (war) guns and the skeleton of an old NATO plane. The castle once served as a prison in the Ottoman period, but also under the reign of King Zog of Albania, the Nazis during WWII and the communists. 

Other attractions:

• The bazaar with the Mosque of Gjirokastër (Xhamia e Gjirokastrës).

In 1420 the then Greek (Byzantine, East Roman) city of Argyrocastron was occupied by the Turks, who continued to hold sway until 1912, when the state of Albania was created.

Previous Greek attempts to reconquer the city did not work out; only during the Second World War were the Greeks again in charge for for several months (from December 1940 to April 1941), after they had managed to drive out the Italian occupiers.

There is not really a bus station in the city. Most buses stop about 1.5 kilometers on the outskirts of the city near the motorway.

Gjirokastra - Syri e Kalter - Saranda: every hour buses leave for Saranda and stop (if you ask the driver) at "Syri e Kalter" ("blue eye spring").

• Name: Skenduli house

Price: 200 Leke

Content:

This is one of the most beautiful, impressive and oldest buildings in the city. Built in the 17th century, this is a truly traditional Albanian house full of Ottoman influences of three storeys high. You are shown around by a relative of the family right through that beautiful house that was once inhabited by 30 people part of one family.

Storage rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, toilets, stairs, doors and small aisles bring you all the way up where there is a beautiful terrace and of course the attic. A beautiful room decorated where once wedding ceremonies took place is the last place you’re

been shown.

Numerous restaurants and cafes can be found in touristy Gjirokastra. We ate at a very local restaurant near the mosque and our hostel - cheap, good, little traffic and a perfect view.

• Name: Kotoni B & B

Address: Lagja Palorto 8 rr Baskhim Kokona

Price: 3,500 Leke (double)

Phone nr. : 3526

Content:

A beautiful authentic and cozy hostel in the center of the city with a unique view of the castle that towers above the city. Owners "Vati" and "Hajj" give this hostel or B & B an extra family dimension and ensure you, you do not fall short. Also the rooms are very cozy and warm classified though you have to occasionally watch out that you do not bump your head. In our room (two separate beds) was a TV and there was a private toilet and shower.

The shower could have had more pressure because the water jet was very thin. Breakfast is served between 8 and 9 but can also be offered earlier.