The amazing city of Gjirokastër is a place located in the south of Albania. As well as it impressed the Ottomans, this place will give you an exciting experience. If you are a lover of history, you will love its undiscovered villas.
Things to do
Above all, this place has served as the home of writers, politicians, and artists. Likewise, its a City-Museum with a lot of Ottoman treasures and stone covered roofs.
The first thing you have to visit is the famous Gjirokastra Bazaar. This stunning street is full of stores, food, and traditional culture. In the same vein, you can find the Balkans architecture.
After that, you can visit the “Silver City” and look at the galleried living quarters at the Zekate House. In the same way, you can’t miss the other Ottoman-era attractions such as the Ethnographic Museum.
Argyrokastro Village. “Silver City”
First, you have to start your tour from the post-precipitation walks in the narrow streets of Argyrokastro Village. Overthere, you will appreciate its Greek origins. At the same time, you’ll find the birthplace of Albania’s Stalinist dictator: Enver Hoxha (1908-85)
Besides, you will see the center of the resistance to the Ottoman occupation. On the other hand, you’ll get to know Albanian hospitality and culture.
Zekate House
This is one of the most emblematic historical buildings of Gjirokastra. At the same time, it is known to be the best surviving example of an Ottoman tower house. Right there, you will be able to tour its three floors full of history storage rooms
With almost no change from the Ottoman-era on the inside, this place has fascinating detailed galleries and frescoes. Also, in its towers, you can to take some beautiful photos of the town and the river valley below.
Hoxha’s reconstructed home (Ethnographic Museum)
Into all the amazing houses of rare architectural value, this Enver Hoxha’s childhood home will completely delight you. Over here, you’ll have an interesting insight into a key period of Albania’s history. Besides, this place will allow you to explore the details of the traditional life of an upper-class family from Gjirokastra.
Here you will see the artistic ways of decorating with ground floors for winter. Also, there’s a chance to appreciate how the 19th-century homes and all their particular rooms were built. Finally, you will understand how this house is essential to the culture of its entire nation.
How to get there
From Gjirokastra Airfield to Gjirokastra there’s a path so short that you can rent a car and it’s a 4-minute road. If you want to appreciate more your trip, you can enjoy a 26-minute long walk.
When to go
From April to June is the best time to go because you´ll have amazing weather. Avoid July and August, they can be very hot. In the same way, winter isn’t a good traveling season because almost everything is close.
How long
There are many touristic places to visit in Gjirokastra: houses, castles, and walls full of history. Take at least 3 to completely know them and admire them calmly
Opening and Closing hours
To the Silver City, you can go at any time you like. It is an open city where you’ll be able to walk and enjoy its culture at any time. You can take a day to explore it.
However, the other places do have their schedule:
- Zekate House: Open from 8 a.m to 8 p.m from April to October.
- Ethnographic Museum: From April to September it opens every day at 8 a.m until 12 p.m and it opens again at 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Otherwise, from October to march it opens from Wednesday to Sunday at 8 a.m until 4 p.m
Planning
Almost everything in this place is done by walking, so you won’t have to worry about booking a taxi. You won’t have to worry about the visa either, here nearly all visitors can travel visa-free for 90 days.
Remember to book your travel tickets in advance. Also, it is important to get a good tour guide who will show you all this place’s hidden history. At the same time, you’ll need him to know all the wonderful places in Gjirokastra. Finally, to visit the highlight places, you don’t need to book in advance.
Inside Information
If you want to travel with your family, Gjirokastra is the ideal place for you. Over there your children will be treated like princes and princesses. At the same time, the hotels will do their best to make every member of the family completely comfortable.
On the other hand, here summers are short and hot, as the winters are cold and humid. Stay informed of how the weather is. If it’s winter, wear hiking boots to cope with the slippery cobbles. Beyond this, remember your walking shoes to get to know this spectacular city.
History
Gjirokastra city was founded in the 12th century under Byzantine rule. Then, it passed to the hands of the Ottoman Empire until the nineteenth century this became an important center of Turkish resistance.
In the history of Albania, this city is considered very important in the milestones of its independence. Also, it has mixed Greek and Roman cultures and has been the protagonist of various disputes to own it.
Although its population has been reduced by emigration, it still maintains a great culture and history throughout its territory.
Websites
Other Nearby Attraction
It is impossible to leave Gjirokastra without visiting the amazing Gjirokastra Castle. There you’ll find the biggest castle in the Balkans with 12 years old. Besides, it contains an impressive collection of armory, two good museums and plenty of crumbling ruins for you to explore.
In addition to traditional architecture, do not hesitate to visit something more modern, such as the giant Cold War Tunnel. This was originally built in secret deep under the castle and now you can see everything it has on the inside.
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