Gjirokaster, considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Albania, stretches upwards on sloping cobblestoned streets with unique stone houses, which look like small fortresses. For that reason, the town is known as “The City of Stone”.
These two-storey Ottoman houses are located in or near the bazaar and date back to the 17th and 19th centuries.
Gjirokaster castle is sometimes referred to as Argjiro, after a legendary princess in Albanian folklore. According to local tales, she lived in the 15th century and jumped off Gjirokastër Castle with her baby to avoid being caught alive by the Ottoman enemies.
The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century AD. The city was named Argyrokastro, in 1336. In 1417, it was conquered by the Ottoman army. The city reached its peak over 1800-1830, when monumental stone houses were built. The first neighborhoods are those of Bazaar and Hazmurate.
Those winding, little limestone-streets with a unique zig-zag snakey pattern give the city its great character.
In the Old Town, take your time to wonder around the little limestone streets, with their unique pattern giving the city its great character. Take in the different sights and discover the old bazaar, the Zekate house and Skenduli house. The Old Town also hosts an old mosque, the only one left from the 15 mosques that were there before the communist regime took over.
The most important structure of the city is the castle, which is the biggest castle in Albania. Inside the castle, you can visit the Museum of Ammunition.
During your stay in Gjirokastra, you can visit the Ethnographic Museum in Palorto quarter, located in the house where the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha was born. You can also visit the Zekati house in Palorto, one of the most magnificent and characteristic buildings of Gjirokastra. Other important traditional buildings to visit are Angonati House , Babaramo house , Skendulaj house , Eqrem Cabej House, Kikino House and many others.
Below you can find some highlights of the city.
The Castle of Gjirokastra
Undoubtedly one of the most magnificent fortresses in Albania and one of the biggest in the Balkans, has a superb view over the valley. The castle, named after Princess Argjiro, who refused to surrender to the Ottoman invaders and leapt to her death, sits on top of a hill that towers over the surrounding city, making it a unique site that can't be missed.
Gjirokastra Bazaar
With its cobblestoned streets, medieval facades, making up the center and the heart of the Old Town, the Bazaar is the first attraction that welcomes visitors , dating back to the Ottoman period.
The Bazaar Mosque
Built in 1727 and also known as the Memi Bey Mosque, the Bazaar Mosque is one of the last three remaining mosques from the 18th century and the city's most important. The mosque is the only one that survived the nationwide atheist devastation campaign during communism. It received the status of a cultural monument in 1973.
The Ethnographic Museum
Widely known as the childhood home of Enver Hoxha is an example of how the high social class of the 19th century lived in the south of Albania. The house offers a sneak peak to the dictator's childhood, but the whole history of Gjirokastra, a city that, in many ways, influenced the history of an entire country.
Zekate House
The most impressive building in Gjirokastër is undoubtedly Zekate House, a majestic three-story house with a double-arched facade and twin towers. It is considered to be one of the most fascinating examples of the Ottoman style in the Balkans. Built in 1811-1812 ago as a gift to General Beqir Zeko for his merits and loyalty to Ali Pasha ,it is a magnificent three-floor building with its twin towers. A special feature of the house is the wooden carved ceilings and the characteristic guest room. From the wooden balcony in the third floor, you can enjoy an impressive view of Gjirokastra. The house withstood two turbulent centuries due to its fortifications. It is now uninhabited and serves as a museum giving a great insight into traditional Albanian life and culture.
Cold War Tunnel
In the castle, you’ll find old tanks, cannons and more artillery from bygone war times. Another attraction inside – or rather below – the castle is The Cold War Tunnel; a giant tunnel bunker built in case of a nuclear attack and used for transportation during the Cold War. Built in secret during the 1960s, it has 60 rooms and four entrances, which are equipped with air-filtration systems, ventilation, and multiple anti-nuclear doors.
The Obelisk
A monument that pays tribute to the pioneers of Albanian education in the 20th century, the seven-meter-high Obelisk is located on the highest peak of the Gjirokastra Bazaar. The walk to this spot is rewarded with a wonderful 360-degree view of the city. Built with 124 blocks of hewn stone, the structure is very resistant toward natural phenomena.
Antigonea
The archaeological park of Antigone is located near Saraqinishte village in the region of Lunxhëria, 14 km east of Gjirokastra. Antigone was founded by King Pyrrhus of Epirus in 295 B.C., who named the town after his first wife, Antigone. At the end of 3rd century and the beginning of 2nd century BC, it grew into an important economic, cultural and political center and took the form of a state (polis).
There are many attractions to be visited in the archaeological park Antigone such as: the mosaic, columns, promenade, an antique scale, the surrounding walls, etc.
Saint Mary’s Labove e Kryqit Church
In the village of Labove e Kryqit, located near the small town of Libohova, you can visit one of the oldest and the most beautiful Byzantine churches in Albania, dedicated to St. Mary. It is built in a style similar to that of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Hadrianapolis
The ancient theatre of Hadrianapolis is located near the village of Sofratika, 14 km away from Gjirokastra, along the Gjirokastra – Kakavije (Greece) highway. The Hadrianopolis amphitheater was discovered by the Austrian archaeologist Praschniker. It dates back to the 2nd century B.C. It has a capacity of 4,000 seats.
Take some time to also vist the surroundings of Gjirokastra, especially the Lunxheri area and Cajupi’s fields, 1,310m above sea level to take in the amazing scenery and sample great local food, such as qifqi – baked rice ball with egg, fresh mint and seasonings.
