What to visit in Gjirokastra
Located in southern Albania, Gjirokastra (aka Gjirokastër) is one of the oldest cities dating back to the third century BC, distinguished among other regions of ancient Illyria, thus inheriting cultural and historical values preserved through generations. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gjirokastra has become famous for best preserving the compactness of an old Ottoman-style town, with a castle overlooking the entire city, with old houses resting on a mountain slope, each with magnificent stone and wood facades. The whole city is now a historical treasure and we’re here to share with you 7 reasons why.
1. The old town of Gjirokastra
You can easily recognize it by the white buildings in the old ottoman style, with the characteristic works of woven curtains behind every window glass. Some of them have been transformed into small shops, where you can buy typical items of the area such as carpets, gastronomic products, vases, decorative holders and various items for your home, in addition to classic souvenirs, such as T-shirts, bags, postcards, etc. Being the most famous area of the city, the bazaar is the most touristic zone, but despite the shops and the renovation of the streets that have just finished, the bazaar has not lost its authenticity.
View this post on Instagram
2. The Castle of Argjiro
Legend has it that the name of Gjirokastra comes from Princess Argjiro, the sister of the local leader Gjin Zenebishi during the years of Ottoman occupation, in the 15th century. Refusing to surrender to the turks, the princess, along with her few-month-old son, went to the highest point of the castle to jump. Miraculously the boy survived, while from the stones where the mother fell, milk started flowing to feed the little one. The castle is located on top of a hill, for which you will have to walk a little to reach it, but the views that await you will be completely rewarding. The full panorama of the city in the palm of your hand and the walk between the old walls of this historic castle will take you back in time. There you will also find a recovered U.S. Air Force plane that crashed during the communist era and a military museum with artifacts and items left behind by the Italian occupation.
3. Ismail Kadare House
One of the attractions not to be missed in this city is the birth house, transformed into a museum of the most honored Albanian citizen, Ismail Kadare. The beautiful Turkish style house gives you a wonderful view of the typical houses of Gjirokastra. The main elements of Kadare’s apartment are stone and wood. While the lower floor is dominated by stone platforms, the upper floor is dominated by wood where every element worked with it is decorated without losing the authenticity of the typical Gjirokastra apartment. A trip to the house of the writer Ismail Kadare makes you travel through the subjects of his famous novels. The entrance costs 200 ALL, or just less than $2.
4. Ethnographic Museum
The ethnographic museum is located in the former house of dictator Enver Hoxha. Hoxha’s original house where he was born in 1908 was burned down and rebuilt in 1964-1966. The house was rebuilt as a model of the richest houses in Gjirokastra. According to local sources, Enver Hoxha’s original house had one floor and a chimney, compared to the bigger houses of his neighboors . The new house copied elements from the most beautiful houses of the city, and even many objects were taken from them. The entrance costs 200 ALL, or just less than $2.
View this post on Instagram
5. Sokaku i të Marrëve / Fools’ Alley
One of the most attractive things you can do in Gjirkoastra is to leave the usually beaten itineraries and get lost between the secondary alleys. Instead of the road to the castle, I suggest you turn right and go to discover the most authentic Gjirokastra, with its traditional dwellings, fig trees, wild fruit bushes and goats in the pasture. Amongst them, probably the most famous alley of the city, is ‘Sokaku i të Marrëve’, meaning the ‘The Alley of the Fools’, with the most interesting story which you will have to discover for yourself.
View this post on Instagram
6. The Archeological Park of Antigonea
Antigonea was a short-lived city that lived only about 150 years. The founding of the city is associated with one of the most famous names of antiquity, King Pyrrhus of Epirus (319-272 BC). In gratitude to his mother-in-law and his first wife, Pyrrhus decided to build a new city called Antigonea. To go to the ancient city you have to leave Gjirokastra and take the direction to the village of Asim Zeneli, which is the largest center in the municipality of Antigone.
View this post on Instagram
7. Labova of the Cross
In the village of Labova e Kryqit (or Labova of the Cross), located near the small town of Libohova, is one of the oldest and the most beautiful Byzantine churches in Albania, dedicated to St. Mary. The Church was built in 554 in the time of Emperor Justinian. According to local legends, a man from Labova, named Konstandin Laboviti, was a high commander in Justinian’s army. He was so brave and courageous, that one day Justinian offered to reward him with whatever he wanted. He replied: I want you to build a church in my birthplace, Labova village. Justinian agreed and sent the best craftsmen to build the church. Four years later Justinian directed that a Golden Cross, made of pieces of wood from the Jesus Cross, be enshrined in the church. The Cross was covered with 21 ounces (600 gr) of gold. It remained part of the church for centuries, but was stolen in 1989 during the civil unrest in Albania. Because of the importance of the Cross, the village took the name “Labova of the Cross”.
View this post on Instagram
8. Cerciz Topulli Square
This is a historic square, the most important in Gjirokastra and is located on the east side of the Bazaar. It was named in honor of the revolutionary figure Cerciz Topulli, who is considered a national hero. He was born in Gjirokastra in 1880 and fought against the Ottoman regime in the early 20th century. In Gjirokastra, Cerciz is compared to the revolutionary commander Che Guevarra, not only in bravery but also in appearance. You can buy lots of souvenirs with the look of Cerciz in the old bazaar, to take with you to your place and the legend of this hero of Gjirokastra.
View this post on Instagram
9. Stone coffee experience
This is one of the early traditions of Gjirokastra, where the coffee ceremony has a special importance. You will become part of its roasting in one of the shopping alleys, after the fire is lit with oak wood and the kebab is filled with coffee beans. You will experience a sensation that will take you back in time. And when it is ready, it will be pressed on the carved limestone, extracted from the madems of the “çullos stream”. Tradition has it that coffee is crushed in stone 800 times to become delicious, and then you will continue to boil it in copper pots on the fire.
10. “Fustanella” tour
In this tour you will get acquainted with the old town of Gjirokastra, tower houses, artisan workshops, photos with traditional clothing, fun dinners learning our songs and dances, tastes of typical cuisine. Walking in nature, visiting cultural sites, picnicking and experiencing life in the village. Once you are familiar with the city, you are ready to look like a true local. The traditional clothing craft will be waiting for you in an atelier to create the most fun memory that will last forever. A professional photo printed, with aristocratic red satin dress embroidered with gold or men’s dress with 500 sheets.
GALLERY
