Traditionally in Berat, visitors have found particular hospitality and they have experienced a pleasant and relaxing environment while tasting the characteristic traditional and modern dishes.
Berat Castle >
Berat Castle is a fortress overlooking the town of Berat, Albania. It dates mainly from the 13th century and contains many Byzantine churches in the area and Ottoman mosques. It is built on a rocky hill on the left bank of the river Osum and is accessible only from the south. It is situated at an elevation of 214 metres (702 ft)
Dimal >
The first excavations at this site began in the year 1963 headed by Albanian archaeologist Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Mano. Since that time, a 30m long stoa (covered walkway) has been unearthed. The monument clearly resembles to the same monument of Apollonia, indicating the strong links between these two cities. Many stamped tiles have also been found, bearing the names of the workshop owners, but also the word âDIMALITANâ indicating that the workshops were property of the city. The writer Polybius mentioned the role of the city in the Second Illyrian-Roman war, around 218 BCE. An effort was undertaken to further fortify the city at this time. The Roman historian, Titus Livius, mentioned Dimal again in the events of 205 BCE when the city was ruled by Romans. The excavations discovered several inscriptions hinting at the advanced political status of the ancient city. When the Illyrian regent Demeter Fari organized the uprising against Rome after the year 228 BCE, he gathered his army in Dimal. The campaign against him was lead by the Roman general Paul Emilius.
The Ethnographic Museum of Berat >
The Ethnographic Museum of Berat is inside a traditional house, which dates back to the end of 18th century CE. The house of the Xhokaxhi family is composed of two floors, using stone as the construction material for the first floor and wood for the second floor. The most attractive part of the house is the âgarretâ, which is noted for its high architectural value. The house is a real complex indeed, where all the elements, such as the garden and the museum complex of the other houses around are witness to a rich ethnographic culture. In the interior setting of the museum, there are 1000 objects on display that belong to the region of Berat. The first floor is organized as a medieval bazaar with many objects and crafts. What catches your eyes are clothes for both men and women with filigree. Other objects include various items of decoration like copper works. On the first floor, it is on display the equipment for olive oil processing, as well as equipment for making other drinks, the pottery and the smithy. On the second floor, the most interesting parts are the âgarretâ and the living quarters equipped with many ethnographic objects and valuables. One of theism is the guestroom, which has a separate area where the women used to stay. Other objects include the chimney, the sofas around the room, one hanging gun and a 100-year old flag. Next to the guest room is the kitchen, equipped with all cooking tools. On the second floor there are also two other rooms, the âcountry roomâ and âloom roomâ. These two rooms depict the ambience of working and living. In the âloom roomâ you may see all the tools for wool and cotton processing. Carpets and rugs are also on display.
The Saint Triad Church >
The Saint Triad Church was built between the second half of the 13th century CE and the beginning of 14th century CE. It is the best example of the inscribed cross-type churches with a cupola. It is composed of a naos supported by four pillars and narthex that was built later on. It has side wings made by an archway system, and in the center is the cupola. The churchâs walls contain stones, pieces of brick in the lower part and opus mixtum in the upper part. There are also mural paintings in the interior of the church.
The Red Mosque >
The remains of the Red Mosque are visible to the south of the upper fortress, near the west surrounding-wall of the castle. It is believed that this monument is the mosque that Elvia Celebiu identifies as Sultan Bajazitiâs mosque when he was writing about the castle. The building contains the hall for prayers with an almost square-shaped floor plan and forms a vestibule in front of it with the same width. On the left side of the hall is the minaret. This placing, different from other mosques, seems to be due to the close proximity of the boundary wall to the southwest. The shrineâs walls, as well as the foundation of the minaret, were built using the of horizontal bricks and one or two vertical bricks between the calcareous stones. The date of the mosque is uncertain, however, based on Celebiuâs data, the technique used and its position, the likely conclusion is that the mosque is from the 15th century CE. Whether Sultan Bajaziti built it, or if it is an earlier construction, makes it even harder to give a precise date. The Turkish garrison was stationed here between the second half and the end of the 15th century CE.
The Lead Mosque >
The âLeadâ Mosque, it was built in the year 1481. The social, cultural and religious structure embodies the topology of classic Turkish portico style halls with a cupola and the mosque at the right side of the entrance. Together with the mosque were built a tekke, a halveti tarikat and a bathroom with water supply from the aqueduct built in 1640 CE by the imperial architect Reiz Mimar Kasemi. It is unknown when these constructions were ruined, but at the end of 19th century CE, the portico of the mosque was reconstructed. According to Evlija Celebiu, the old portico had arcades and was covered with seven cupolas. The remaining traces indicate that it is not according to the original plans, but the reconstructions hinder exact detailing.