Private Tour of Berat and Durres from Tirana

Leaving Tirana we will head toward the South of the Country in visiting one of the most Unique and Charming cities of Albanian. In around 2 hours drive we will be driving through some soft, low terrain in one of the most productive agriculture areas of Albania. 

The Castle of Berat and the Castle of Elbasan are the only 2 historical sites where life has been continuously evolving at least in the last 2 centuries. The heavy stones in the foundation of the walls date from Antiquity times where the city bloomed under Antipatrea name. 

The Castle is the oldest neighborhood in the Historical part with a major Orthodox Population and many charming Byzantine Churches. Situated at the top of a hill this castle dominates the city today and naturally protected from 3 sides from very steep terrain. The population inside have been living inside this castle for centuries, creating in this way a very strong comunity, almost like a big family. 

Located inside the Greek Orthodox monastery, “The Dormitory of St Mary” this is one of the most interesting museums, related to religious heritage. The Church itself, a typical Byzantine, dual cross shape church with 2 dooms represents one of the best-preserved churches in Albania. Apart from its glamorous Iconostas and Spectacular Paintings in the nave, it is believed that is was also decorated with a decorative Rosete, just above the main doom. 

The Icon museum contains mainly paintings from Onufri and his legacy but also an anonymous painter of the period. These are all testimonials for a high intellectual level of the city. 

Based on the Archeological excavations and Documents, Berat rebloomed on the 13th-century, especially inside the castle. The city evolves, bringing an increase of the population and in this way an expansion of the dwellings outside the Castle. Mangalem was structured mainly in the Ottoman period and was definitely shaped as today after an earthquake where some parts of the city were destroyed. The style changed from a heavy towers style with small windows and stone to a lighter structure, with more windows and way lighter. 

During the 17th and 18th Century Berat was one of the most important cities in Albania and it also attracted citizens from all over the country to create settlements around the city. In this way, Gorica was created mainly as a merchant quarter especially with citizens from Voskopoja of South East of Albania. The white color of the city and the style were preserved creating in this way a city with two similar faces on 2 sides of Osumi river, connected through the Stone Bridge of Gorica.  

From the Antiquity, Durres has been probably the most important Albanian city, at least till 1920 when Tirana was proclaimed as the Capital of Albania. It dates from antiquity, as one of the main ports in the Mediterranean. Also, for the Romans, it was one of the most important stations of “Via Egnatia” a merchant Roman Road. 

A magnificent Amphitheater, of around 20000 seats was buid