Berat

Berat Castle

Berat Castle, also known as Kalaja Castle, is one of the most important historical sites in the city and stands on a rocky hill, 220 metres above sea level, from where one can enjoy a spectacular view of the entire surrounding area and the Osum river valley. Being built on a spur dominating the valley from above, this area has always been an important point for Berat since ancient times, although the site as we can see it now was built around the 13th century. At that time, the population living in the area of the fortress was largely Christian and had built around twenty churches here.

The area is characterised by several belvedere terraces and cobbled streets surrounded by numerous ‘window houses’, i.e. traditional white houses with many decorated wooden windows. There are the remains of several churches (such as the Holy Trinity Church), the Onufri Museum, which houses a large collection of Christian icons and religious art, and an 18th-century building housing the Ethnographic Museum. There are also the remains of a mosque that was once used by the Turkish garrison.

Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnographic Museum of Berat is housed in an old traditional house and offers an important collection of objects and utensils as well as explanations of many local traditions and historical facts. On the ground floor, part of a mediaeval bazaar has been reconstructed, providing an insight into how people used to live in the town, the most common trades and different customs.

On the second floor, on the other hand, the lifestyle, organisation, traditions and customs of a rich family in the late Middle Ages have been recreated. Outside, there is a courtyard with a well, an exhibition of some ceramic objects and a presentation of the activities of stone cutters.

Onufri Museum of Iconography

The Onufri Museum of Iconography houses approximately 200 items including works of art, icons and liturgical objects made between the 14th and 20th centuries from various churches and monasteries in the region. The main collection is of icons made by Onufri of Elbasan (or Onufri of Neokastres) who was an Albanian painter and presbyter in the 16th century.

In addition to several icons painted by famous Albanian artists such as Onufri and his son Nikolla, there are works by other local artists such as Onufër the Cypriot, David Selenica, Kostandin Shpataraku, Johani, Nikolla, Naum and his son Gjergji. In addition to these, a number of liturgical objects from different historical periods and numerous wooden sculptures are on display.

Church of St. Michael

Set into the rock in the area of Berat Castle, the Church of St. Michael (Kisha e Shën Mëhillit in Albanian) was built around the 13th century and is therefore considered one of the oldest places of worship in the city. The religious building, erected in Byzantine style, is not very large and was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and dedicated to the archangel Michael. Externally, it is made of red bricks alternating with white stones; inside, however, there are frescoes depicting religious and biblical scenes that have been well preserved and have come down to us almost intact.

Lead Mosque

The Lead Mosque is an Islamic religious building of Ottoman origin located in the Mangalem district of Berat. Also known as the Izgurli Mosque, the site was built between the years 1553 and 1554 by the local feudal lord Ahmet Bej Uzgurliu, then a vassal of the Skura family.

The name Lead Mosque derives from the fact that the sphere-shaped domes covering the building were lined with lead. It is known that at the time of its construction in the 16th century, the complex also included a bazaar, a madrasa, an imaret, a school and a Turkish bath. Today, all that remains is the prayer hall with its square main hall boasting an ornate portico, a large dome and numerous windows illuminating the interior.

Bachelors' Mosque

The Bachelors’ Mosque (Xhamia e Beqarëve) is a place of worship of Ottoman origin located in the Mangalem district of Berat. Built along the Osum River around 1826, the mosque boasted splendid frescoes inside, which have only partially survived to this day and were created between 1827 and 1828. The name ‘Bachelors’ Mosque’ seems to date back to the fact that it was frequented mainly by young unmarried boys and bachelors.

Osumi canyon

For a fun activity in contact with nature, you can plan an outing to the Osumi canyon, named after the river of the same name and considered one of Albania’s most spectacular natural attractions. In spring, when the snows melt, the water level of the river rises and it is thus possible to explore all 26 km of the canyon. In this area, the erosive activity of the water has created caves and grottos to be discovered, but also peculiar rock formations that have taken unusual names such as the Cathedral, the Demon Gate and the Eye. Another characteristic of the site is that the entire area surrounding the canyon is characterised by a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna.