Berati Culture Tour

Berat in central Albania is an elegant stone-and-alabaster city with fig trees cleaved by the Osumi river. An ancient Illyrian settlement turned Byzantine frontier town, Berat is known for the Ottoman houses that cascade down both sides of its gentle river valley. Evenly spaced portals cut into the stone facades lend it the famous epithet: ‘The City of a Thousand Windows.’

Berat is home to one of two UNESCO-listed historical centers (the other being in Gjirokaster), making it a must-see in Albania for history buffs and culture lovers alike.

The town is divided into three quarters. There are probably more, but three-quarters are the ones you’d care about. Each one is beautiful. The three districts that are part of “old Berat” are Mangalem, Gorica, and Kalaja. The city started as a stronghold. Later the town was built left and right of the river Osum.

In Mangalemi, below the castle, you can see the famous view of the facades of the houses, with windows that seem to stand above each other. Generally, a traditional home has two floors; the second is prominent and has many cambered windows and wood carvings. With its houses built along the steep hill, the view of Mangalemi is why another name for Berat is the City of the Floating Windows.

Across the Osum River lies the Gorica neighborhood, whose houses face those of Mangalemi. The arched bridge of Gorica, built in 1780, is a beautiful architectural monument that links Gorica with Mangalemi.

The Cathedral of Shën Mëria houses a museum of works by the famous iconographers of the 16th century: Onufri, and his son, Nikolla. There are over 100 icons on display, including works of other artists such as Joan Çetiri, Onufër Qiprioti, and many anonymous painters.

You also can visit the Monastery of Shën Spiridhoni (Saint Spyridon) in Gorica.

In addition, Berat is known for its traditional dishes. However, it is worth tasting specialties such as pula me përshesh and çorba e Tomorrit in the local restaurants. It is also suggested to visit the Saint Mountain of Tomorr.