Top attractions of Gjirokastra city a UNESCO World Heritage museum-town located in the south
The castel of Gjirokastra
The citadel has existed in various forms since before the 12th century. Argjiro is the unofficial name according to local Albanian folkloric traditions she lived in the 15th century and jumped off Gjirokastër Castle along with her child so as to avoid being captured by the Ottomans.
Extensive renovations and a westward addition were added by Ali Pasha of Tepelene after 1812. The government of King Zog expanded the castle prison in 1932.
Today it possesses five towers and houses, the new Gjirokastër Museum, a clock tower, two teqe, a cistern, the stage of the National Folk Festival, and many other points of interest.
The castle’s prison was used extensively by Zog’s government and housed political prisoners during the Communist regime.
The castle is under protection from UNESCO since 2008.
Skenduli House
Built in the early 1700s, by the Skenduli family one of the wealthiest in the south region.
Reconstructed partly in 1823 it is the most authentic house in Gjirokastra city, a clear version of the ottoman architecture of the time.
Its structure shows that this has been the richest house in Gjirokastra because it had 9 fireplaces, (many fireplaces richer than the family was); 6 bathrooms, 12 rooms, 44 doors, 64 windows, and 4 Hamam (Turkish bath).
Many rooms are preserved in their original shape and this is amazing. Even outside the surrounding fortified wall is 17 meters, and is original too.
Gjirokastras Old Bazar
The Old Bazaar of Gjirokastra is the center of the old town, with shops, bars, and restaurants. Until the 15th-century people were mainly living inside Gjirokastra Castle and in the 1580s the town had more than 400 dwellings. In the 17th century, a new commercial quarter was developed with all roads coming together at a central place, which is now the Pazar i Vjetër (Old Bazaar). Here, they can find some of the best-handcrafted travel mementos in wood, stone, and fabric, all handmade with pride by true masters of their crafts.
The facades of the surrounding houses offer an aesthetically interesting view of the medieval buildings, while the shops that spread throughout the bazaar provide a variety of objects, facilities, and services.
You can visit these sites on our tours here and from our webpage.
