By JUXHINA MALAJ
Short History
With its old town (Mangalem district) designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2008, the city of Berat is one of the most striking cities of Albania. Located in south-central Albania, Berat is known as the “town of a thousand windows,” thanks to a wonderful collection of white Ottoman houses. Its municipality, which includes Berat, Otllak, Roshnik, Sinje, and Velabisht, has a total population of over 60,000. The name of the city is believed to come from the Bulgarian word Белград (Bel(i)grad) which means the white city.
How to get there?
The city of Berat is about 120km far from Tirana, 60km from Durres and 90km far from Vlora. The easiest way to get there is by car, but you can also take a bus or a mini-bus. If you take a mini-bus from Tirana to Berat, the ticket costs 500 lek, while from other cities that are closer such as Fier it costs approximately 200-250 lek. There are several buses in Tirana that go to Berat at different times during the day and the ticket will cost you 400 lek.
Where to Eat/Drink?
Italian restaurant White House, and Eastern European restaurant Wildor are among the best places recommended by tourists, but there are plenty of other great restaurants that offer delicious traditional food for very cheap prices. Moreover, do not miss the à‡obo Winery which features locally made wine and a winery tour. Birrari Onufri is also highly recommended by locals for offering the best beer in town.
Where to Stay?
Among the top places to stay in Berat are Tomori Hotel, White City, Hotel Berati, Hotel Mangalemi, Berat Backpackers, Hotel Nasho Vruho,Lorenc Guesthouse & Hostel, Hotel Palma, Ana’s Resthouse, Guva Mangalem, etc.
What to See?
Taking a walk in the Old Town is highly recommended. Be prepared to see numerous cute streets, windows, antique doors, kids saying hi to you while photogenic cats cross your way “asking” to be featured on your Instagram feed. It never gets boring in Berat as there are many events, concerts, street galleries, etc., happening throughout the year. And when you manage to go to all of them, there is always a new hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
As the town is very small, you will easily manage to see most of the things mentioned below by foot.
The castle of Berat
Built on a rocky hill, the Castle of Berat, even though is considerably damaged nowadays, still preserves a lot of history. After being burned down by the Romans in 200 BC, the castle walls were rebuilt and strengthened. A great view of the city is guaranteed! You get bonus points if you manage to notice from the castle the word “Never” painted on the slopes of Mount Shpirag. On the same mountain spot it was once written ‘Enver’ as a tribute to communist dictator Enver Hoxha in 1968.
Onufri Iconography Museum
If you go to the castle of Berat, you will also be able to visit the Onufri iconography Museum at the site of a Dormition Cathedral. Featuring iconography works of the well-known painter Onufri from the 16th century, the museum also holds various artifacts from nearby churches.
Berat Ethnographic Museum
This museum is also close to the Castle, so you can visit it on the way or after visiting the Castle. The Ethnographic Museum features traditional local furniture, house utensils, but not only.
Churches, Cathedrals, Mosques
Don’t be surprised if you see churches and mosques in the same street or sharing the same yard. If you’ve been in Albania long enough, you know that religious harmony characterises this country. Some must see churches, cathedrals and mosques include the Church of Saint Mehilli, the Cathedral of Saint Mary, the Church of Saint Triadha, the Church of Saint Vllaherna, the King Mosque, etc.
Gorica Bridge
Over the Osum River, Gorica Bridge connects two parts of Berat and is 129 metres (423 ft) long and 5.3 metres (17 ft) wide. Originally built from wood in 1780 the Bridge of Gorica was rebuilt with stone during the 1920s.
