Castle of Berat

Berat Castle is located on the left side of the mouth of the river Osum, on a hill 187 m high, as a strategically important point, which belongs to the century. IV p.k. The castle with Illyrian foundations was preserved over the centuries and in the VI, XIII, XV and XIX centuries modifications were made. As such it is not only one of the largest inhabited castles, but also an archive of stones, which offers a variety of styles and contributions of different eras, such as the Roman, Byzantine, Albanian and Ottoman.

In the castle there are walls that reached in length up to 1,400 meters separated by 24 towers of different shapes and dimensions, built in different periods. The castle has an area of ​​9.6 ha and is located in the highest area of ​​the city surrounded by high walls and 24 towers of different shapes built in different periods. Berat Castle is mentioned in historical documents with a number of names.

With the ancient name Antipatrea is mentioned in 216 p.e.s while by the Romans it was called Albanorum oppidium (fortress of the Arbërs). The castle has the same plan of the IV century BC. It has a perimeter of 800 large steps with 2 doors. This castle has many architectural, constructional and historical values ​​where with its high walls and built of large stones it amazes every visitor. The objects to be visited inside the castle walls are the Acropolis inside which are the remains of a military garrison, the remains of the pasha’s palaces and the White Mosque in the Ottoman period, the water reservoir, the Red Mosque, the Onufri Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the church “St. Maria Vllaherna”, the “Holy Trinity”, the East Tower, the water cistern in the SE, the cannons and turrets for rifles.

The castle is an archive of stones, with Roman, Byzantine, Albanian and Ottoman styles. In the period of the great Albanian pashas (XVIII-XIX) the castle was adapted, turning the towers for balls and turret walls. Even today cannons are found along the castle walls. Berat Castle continues to be inhabited even today. This castle was declared a cultural monument in 1948 and is protected by the state.

Contact

Telephone/Fax: +355699389890
Opening/visiting hour: Every day
Website: www.berati.net