Gjirokastra feels special. The entire town appears perched on a hill being overlooked by a 13th century citadel on top. A collection of well-preserved Ottoman-era houses with unique architecture has given the city the UNESCO World Heritage status. The citadel is a good place to roam around. The narrow steep streets are fun to walk around. Gjirokastra gave birth to the notorious dictator Enver Hoxha, but also to the revered writer, Ismail Kadare.
Gjirokastra: set on a hill |
Gjirokastra: A cluster of traditional houses |
Gjirokastra: traditional houses |
Gjirokastra: the Citadel, a good place to wander around. |
Gjirokastra Citadel: great views of the city and the valley |
Gjirokastra Citadel: this American plane was captured and used for propaganda during the Communist era |
Gjirokastra Citadel: view of the city |
Gjirokastra: a typical street where we bought an antique cow bell. |
Gjirokastra: one-man show - he takes an order, grills lamb and eel, and serves. |
Gjirokastra: the local writer Kadare has been nominated for Nobel Prize in literature. |
Gjirokastra: young and old, people enjoy watching the world go by from the numerous balconies in town |
Gjirokastra: A stupendous view from our hotel balcony |
Gjirokastra: second floor common area in our hotel, Kalemi Hotel, a tradional house |
Gjirokastra: original woodwork in our hotel |
Gjirokastra: original woodwork in our hotel |
Gjirokastra: this is supposedly the room where Enver Hoxha was born. His mother's dowry is the chest on the right. |
Gjirokastra: a 200 year old bridal chair in Ethnographic Museum |
Gjirokastra: Skenduli House, one of the grand traditional houses |
Gjirokastra: Skenduli House. The owner shows up to give us a tour. |
Gjirokastra: Skenduli House. The owner was kicked out with his two-year-old son by the Communist government in 1981 after this house was assessed at $24. |
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