Berat

This architecturally unique town derives its nickname ‘City of One Over One Windows’ to the hundreds of ancient, white, Ottoman-style houses with tiny windows perched on the hillside. They provide a stunning site with the river running below and the castle which dates back to the 4th century perched on the top.

The city is divided into the old town (Kala) and the new city (Mangalem) on opposite sides of the Osum river with the beautiful Arched Bridge of Gorica , built in 1780 connecting the two and the Tomorri mountains in the background.

Berat has a long history dating back more than 2,400 years with influences from the Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Wander around the cobbled streets and up to the Castle of Berat.

Allow plenty of time to visit the castle and walk around its ramparts to admire the stunning views. You can also wander around the village once enclosed within the castle walls. There is a recommended circuit which includes The Cathedral of the Assumtion of Saint Mary in which you will find the Onufri Museum with an extraordinary collection of religious art including works by the famous icongrapher Onufri and the Byzantine churches of Saint Mary and Saint Nicolas (which both have beautiful frescoes). The rest of the circuit includes The Church of Holy Trinity, the White Mosque, the Citadel, the Red Mosque, the Church of Saint George, the Gallery Wall, the Church of Saint Demetrius and the Church of Saint Vangelistra and the Church of Saint Theodore.