Gjirokastà«r made it to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 2005, thanks to the city’s rare architectural character originating in the Ottoman period. Particularly noteworthy are the city’s two-story houses, developed in the 17th century, which still maintain their unique roofs and offer a picturesque view of the city. In light of recent reconstructions and urban development, expert builders of Gjirokastà«r’s roofs stress how important maintaining the city’s traditional exterior is.
On a reportage made by the Voice of America, builders were interviewed concerning the intricate methods of building the roofs. Raif Huso, an expert at building Gjirokastà«r’s roofs, said that “Gjirokastà«r is a specialty of its own nature. The buildings are unique, as no roof is exactly similar with another. Every wood placed to uphold the tiles is a solution in itself.”
However, the decreasing number of young constructors who are being taught the method of building Gjirokastà«r’s roofs is a point of concern for the survival of an art form. For this reason, Gjirokastà«r’s roof workers appeal to a careful and well-thought of remodeling, as well as the involvement of young workers in learning the craft, in order to preserve the city’s globally appreciated heritage.
