Gjirokastër

Houses with distinctive slate roofs, winding cobbled streets, an old bazaar and an imposing castle that towers high above the town. Gjirokastër is a unique example of Ottoman architecture and a strong contender for Albania’s most beautiful city. It is no coincidence that the “City of Stone” was inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Living testaments to history are also the landmarks around Gjirokastër, such as the excavations of the ancient city of Antigonea or the Byzantine church in Labovë. Mesmerizing Blue Eye and Zagoria Valley are a must for those visiting the area for its natural beauty.

6 things not to be missed in and around Gjirokastër Gjirokastra Castle: once a prison, now a museum of weapons The Old Bazaar of Gjirokastër and the sumptuous houses in the Palorto district Underground bunker converted into the Cold War Museum The church in Labovë, where the Byzantine emperor Justinian I is said to have married. Hiking or horseriding in the Zagoria Valley & Çajupi Plateau A mesmerizingnatural spring called Blue Eye

Gjirokastër (or Gjirokastra, in definite form in Albanian) can be divided into two halves: the old town up on the hill, and the new town in the valley below. If you can handle the steep, cobbled streets, you can reach all the attractions on foot since they are within walking distance from the historic centre. There is a public bus circuit that connects the old town and the new town.

Gjirokastër is also known as the birthplace of former Albanian communist dictator Enver Hoxha, and internationally renowned author Ismail Kadare.

 

History of Gjirokastër

The origin of the name Gjirokastër is still disputed. Some derive the name from the Greek words argyro (silver) and kastro (castle), presumably from the many roofs and steps covered in silvery slate. Others refer to the legend of Princess Argjiro, who jumped off the walls and killed herself rather than fall into the hands of Turkish conquerors. There are also those who believe that the name was given to the town by the Albanian national hero George Kastriot Skanderbeg (Gjergj Kastrioti, in Albanian).

The first written records of Gjirokastër date back to 1336, when the town was on the borders of the Byzantine Empire. In 1432 it was captured by the Turks. Unlike other Albanian cities of the time, it flourished under the new rulers and became the centre of one of its administrative regions. In 1670 it had 2000 houses, eight mosques, three churches and 280 shops.

In the 19th century, most of the town burned down and the splendid houses that we can see in Gjirokastra today were built during the subsequent reconstruction.

In the first half of the 20th century, two prominent Albanian personalities were born in Gjirokastra. The first was the leader of the communist resistance during the Second World War and later dictator Enver Hoxha, the second was the writer Ismail Kadare, probably the most famous Albanian author, whose works have been translated into many languages. He brilliantly depicted his birthplace in the novel Chronicle in Stone.

After the collapse of the communist regime in Albania, Gjirokastër, like other cities in the country, faced industrial collapse and job losses. To this day, it has not recovered from the mass emigration that left many of Gjirokastra’s historic houses uninhabited and falling into ruin. Only the development of tourism in recent years has helped to remedy the situation, with many families beginning to rent their homes as guesthouses. An important milestone was the inclusion of Gjirokastër, along with Berat, on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.

 

Transport to Gjirokastër

Buses from Tirana (from the southern terminal, via Durrës, Levan and Tepelenë) run to Gjirokastër six times a day, the journey takes around four hours. Two times daily, you can catch the bus from Berat, three times a day from Përmet and once a day (except Sunday) from Korçë. Several buses and minibuses run daily between Sarandë and Gjirokastër, with the journey taking about an hour.

The bus station is down in the valley near the intersection of 18 Shtatori Street with the main Gjirokastër-Tepelenë road.

WARNING: With the opening of the Skërfica tunnel, most buses running between Tirana and Albanian Riviera stopped running via Gjirokastër. Connections to Sarandë are therefore less frequent and the intervals can be several hours.

There is a direct bus from Ioannina (Janinë, in Albanian) in Greece to Gjirokastër at 6:00. The fare is quite expensive and most Albanians choose to drive only to the Kakavija border crossing, which they cross on foot, and the remaining 30 kilometres to Gjirokastër are covered by Albanian minibuses or taxis waiting at the customs. In the other direction (from Gjirokastër), buses leave for Kakavija customs at 7:30, 10:30, 14:00 and 16:30.

There is a public bus circuit that connects the old town and the new town. Private buses are prohibited from climbing the steep and narrow streets. The best way to get anywhere in the old town is on foot or by taxi.

Sights in Gjirokastër

 

Around Gjirokastër

 

Tours and day trips in Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër rightfully belongs to the biggest tourist attractions in Albania. Since it takes less than an hour to get there from Sarandë, it is the perfect place to go on a day trip from the Albanian Riviera. Travel agencies provide journeys from Tirana to Gjirokastër as well.

There are plenty of local guides in Gjirokastër. Take advantage of their excellent knowledge of the city’s history and join their walking tours. Food lovers have the opportunity to attend cooking classes of Gjirokaster specialities.

Mesmerizing Blue Eye natural spring is a top destination for those seeking a day trip from Gjirokastër, taxis cost about 50 euros for a round trip. An off-road tour to the Zagoria Valley is an unforgettable experience for those seeking pristine nature, horseriding enthusiasts can enjoy a guided ride in the picturesque landscape of the valley below Gjirokastër. If you take a taxi or a morning bus to Përmet (about 1 hour), you can go rafting on the Vjosa River, which is one of the best outdoor experiences in Albania.