Berat Castle (Berat Kalaja)<\/h2>\n

It’s rare to visit a castle where residents still inhabit the complex, but Berat Castle is one such place. This fortress dates back to 200 B.C., a time when the Romans passed through and destroyed the wooden fortification. The castle as we see it today, however, hails from the 13th century, majestically towering above the city and offering incredible views of the surrounding landscape and river below\u2014a strategic location for defense. For a unique lodging experience, you can actually stay INSIDE the castle walls in 13th-century homes! The castle is currently undergoing further restoration, as it has now been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.<\/p>\n

Although I found this incredibly appealing, I should mention the considerable effort required if you choose to ascend on foot to any of the homes. The climb could be rated as moderate on Alltrails due to its steepness (a 10% grade) and the slick, uneven cobblestones, which can be treacherous even when not wet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Though the ascent to the top is only about 0.6 miles (1 km), it felt like at least a mile to me. Be sure to bring a hat or umbrella to shield yourself from the sun, which can be quite relentless during the climb. Don’t forget to bring your water.<\/p>\n

IF YOU PREFER NOT TO CLIMB the steep roads, there’s an afternoon bus departing from the opposite side of the city, heading to the castle’s summit. My friends and I discovered parking on the south side, which could be convenient for a quick visit. While I didn’t notice any parking permit requirements during our visit, keep in mind we visited in October, a time when tourist traffic was relatively low.<\/p>\n

Things To Do In Berat Castle<\/h3>\n

Upon entering the Outer Gate from the South Side, you can meander through the traditional Ottoman houses. Continue weaving your way through the alleys to the North side of the Castle. Please note that the stairs can be quite steep in certain areas. Although you can walk around the walls, be mindful that there are no safety rails and the footing can be unstable. So, ensure you tread carefully when navigating these areas.<\/p>\n

Inside Berat Castle, you’ll find an array of shops, homes, souvenirs, captivating views, and friendly locals. Additionally, the Castle houses the Iconography Museum, which I’ll delve into more detail about shortly. If you plan to just explore the fortress without entering any shops or museums, allow approximately two hours.<\/p>\n

Throughout your exploration, you’ll encounter a multitude of handmade carpets, tablecloths, lace items, and ever-friendly locals. You can also find spices, small iconographies, dried fruits, and jams along the way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Red Mosque, located within the fortress, is one of the country’s oldest mosques, with only its base minaret remaining. However, there is an internal staircase that allows you to climb to the top for a better view over the houses.<\/p>\n

Inside the castle, you’ll discover more than 20 distinct Christian churches, including the remarkable 13th-century Holy Trinity Church, the 16th-century Church of St. Nicholas, and the 13th-century St. Mary of Blaherna Church, adorned with beautiful frescoes. The St. Mary Church houses biblical scene frescoes from 1578 and stunning mosaic flooring. It’s one of the oldest churches in Berat and worth a visit, although its opening times can be inconsistent.<\/p>\n

The best way to navigate the castle area is to acquire a map or print one out before your visit. The area can be a bit tricky to navigate without guidance. There are plenty of guides who can walk you through the castle, a service I highly recommend. Along your journey, you’ll find signs painted onto the walls as well as informational placards detailing the various sites.<\/p>\n

As you wander through the alleyways, you’ll encounter courtyards and a large cistern in the center, which historically served as a water storage facility during sieges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Things To See In Berat Albania In One Day   Article byhttps:\/\/culturetrekking.com Berat, Albania, a UNESCO World Heritage site, captivates its visitors with an enticing blend of timeless Ottoman architecture and well-preserved castle grounds. This ancient city is an exemplary model of two religious communities living in harmony throughout centuries. As you ponder on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6061,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do-in-berat"],"yoast_head":"\n