Gjirokastra,the stone city.

One of the destinations that should  be visited for those who spend some days in Albania is undoubtedly the city of Gjirokastra. 

Gjirokastra, or known as the Stone City, is located in the southern part of Albania, only one hour from the port of Saranda and 5hours from the capital of Albania, Tirana.

 Built between the high mountains that surround the city, Gjirokastra is one of the oldest cities in Albania and influenced in its creation by Greeks, Turks and Albanians. 

Gjirokastra is a city composed of two parts: the old city and the new city. 

The old town built in the 3rd century is known for the narrow and numerous cobblestone streets or old stone houses built in the 17th-18th centuries and are examples of Ottoman architecture. It is the old Ottoman architecture that has introduced Gjirokastra in Unesco in order to protect this heritage of the known city.

Gjirokastra is also known for the castle of Argjiro, from which it appears all the city of Gjirokastra where we should mention that is the second large castle in the Balkans.

In different periods the castle was used as a prison initially by King Zog1 and later by Nazist and the communist regime. Today is a museum.There are various weapons used during the second world war.

In the era of the Ottoman Empire was an important trade center whose traces we find in the old bazaar.The old town is the most interesting part of our Gjirokastra because there is created the story of this city.

In the famous Zekate house that is one of the oldest in  the city, its habitants versus a small fee will tell the story and why this house is so well known to tourists.

 Mentioning the food in which Gjirokastra is well known, the recipe is generally a combination of Turkish and Albanian recipes. One of the best known dishes is "Pashaqofte". They were called like this  because were  cooked for Ali Pashe Tepelenen.

Gjirokastra is distinguished for lace,crochet work that is dissolved in traditional Albania dresses and for the processing of stone and wood.

Part of the culture is the iso-polyphonic music now  part of  Unesco that is preserved and inherited in the Gjirokastras house. 

Gjirokastra built by stone in its constructions,is rich in its history and culture that it shares with the rest of the world... If you want to discover more for this city dont hesitate and visit it!