Friday 20 February 2015

Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra, Albania

I just realised the other day that Albania is the only European country in my collection that I don't have a written and stamped postcard from. Maybe one day... I did receive a few blank ones from dear Snježana a while ago. They are still pretty gorgeous. Here are two of them that also happen to show a Unesco site. Well, the first one definitely should, I'm not sure if the Gjirokastra one shows the historic centre...?? If anyone can tell me I'd appreciate the help!


Berat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. Located in central Albania, Berat bears witness to the coexistence of various religious and cultural communities down the centuries. It features a castle, locally known as the Kala, most of which was built in the 13th century, although its origins date back to the 4th century BC. The citadel area numbers many Byzantine churches, mainly from the 13th century, as well as several mosques built under the Ottoman era which began in 1417. Gjirokastra, in the Drinos river valley in southern Albania, features a series of outstanding two-story houses which were developed in the 17th century. The town also retains a bazaar, an 18th-century mosque and two churches of the same period.


The stamps on the envelope.

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