Gjirokastra, the Stoned City

Published in Infoalbania.org

Gjirokastra is a town in southern Albania, which in 2005 was included in the list of World Heritage by UNESCO. It is a historical city and placed on slopes Drino River valley, has beautiful scenery and bordered by high mountains.

Known as the "City of a thousand stairs" Gjirokastra is characterized by Ottoman-style houses with stone roof, with wooden balconies and cobblestone streets. Gjirokastra historic Castle is located on top of a hill. Gjirokastra has a past of troubled situations and has been a center for Italian fascist invaders.

Gjirokastra is the city of birth of one of the most famous Albanian writer, known worldwide, published in many languages, twice nominee for the Nobel Prize - Ismail Kadare.

Prince of Asturias Award for Letters in 2009, Kadare is a honorific personality well respected in Europe and worldwide. Many of his successful books were inspired from his City of Birth and one of them is called CHRONICLE IN STONE. (http://www.laurahird.com/newreview/chronicleinstone.html)

Gjirokastra has been the place of birth of Enver Hoxha, the former dictator in the ex comunist Regime (1944-1991).

This city carries a long and wonderful history in it. Its beautiful story has inspired many artists to create poems, songs, stories, etc.. This city is known as the stoned city and is defined a center of tourism development on cultural heritage. In the cobbled streets you may find traditional old markets (bazaars) that seems to welcome all those passersby willing to turn back in time. Then it is a wonderful castle of XIII century that recalls the time of medieval rulers and those of the former communist regime. Also, many houses have returned into inns to welcome travelers showing one of the citizens’ virtue as very hospitable people.

Source: www.infoalbania.org

Video: http://youtu.be/v5r6Jg0BTfA