City of a Thousand Steps
Southern Albania, Albania
Gjirokastra is one of the highlights of a visit to southern Albania. Like Berati it has been declared a ‘Museum City’, and has also been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town is built on the slope of a mountain and is known for its characteristic and narrow stone paved streets. The architecture of the dwelling houses is unique – built in the form of medieval towers – resembling tiny castles built one above the other.
Background
Founded in the 1st century A.D. the city was later transformed into a castle stronghold. The city was besieged and captured by the Ottomans in the 15th century, but unlike many other towns in Albania it flourished under its new rulers. In the 17th century it had 200 houses and was a very important trading town. Gjirokastra has produced several important historic figures including the Albanian dictator, Enver Hoxha.