Duration: 8 hour(s) | |
Choose language: Albanian , English , Italiano | |
Mobile voucher accepted | |
Instant Confirmation |
Protected by the heights of Mount Shpirag (2,417 masl), Berat is a medium-large city located in central-southern Albania. It was founded by the ancient Greek tribe of the Dassarets in the 6th century BC, and later underwent the domination of Illyrians, Romans, parts. Thanks to this past, Berat is full of architectural suggestions that allow the visitor to travel between different eras, passing from one neighborhood to another. Most of the things to see in Berat are concentrated in the historic center, which is in turn divided into three neighborhoods. There is the area of the citadel (Kalaja - the Castle), which overlooks the Mangalem hill, and then Gorica, the district located on the other side of the Osum river. In all three districts there are historical monuments that testify to Berat's illustrious past.
Leaving from Tirana at 9, you will travel to the heart of Albania. Passing through Elbasan, about 2 hours of travel you will reach Berat. During the tour, participants will have free time to refresh themselves and, why not, understand what the best things to do in Berat are. The surroundings will make you wonder, or perhaps wanting to return for a few days, on vacation. Feel free to make your questions to your guide.
In the morning you will dedicate ourselves to the guided tour of the historic center of Berat. To begin, you will start with the oldest part of the city, the Mangalem district. Mangalem is a well-preserved example of medieval Ottoman architecture. Walking through this neighborhood you will notice the white of natural stone houses, with numerous windows and small dimensions. Continuing, you will come across the minarets of the three oldest mosques, the Mosque of the Bachelors, the Sultan Mosque and the Lead Mosque. But in Mangalem there are also examples of Orthodox architecture - such as the Cathedral of San Demetrio, and Christian - such as the Church of San Michele, located in the highest area of the neighborhood, from where you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view.
The Gorica bridge, made of white stone, is 130 meters long and formed by 7 arches. It connects the Muslim quarter of Mangalem to the Christian quarter of Gorica. Here is where you can see a spectacular scenario: the 'rising' formation of the houses located along the hill, the swarming of arches and windows, almost communicating with the neighbors opposite, on the other side of the river. In Gorica you will be able to visit the Church of San Spiridione and the Church of San Tommaso.
The Berat tour continues with a visit to the Castle, the last of the districts of the historic center. Remained intact over the centuries, today it is inhabited only by some families. In the Castle are still notable the traces of 42 churches, many of which are from the 4th-5th century. Only six have remained over time, and one of these, the ancient Orthodox cathedral of the "Dormition of the Virgin", today houses the Onufri Museum. This is going to be your next stop. It is also known as the iconographic museum of Berat where you will find, within a vast collection, the works of Onufri, a painter with Venetian influences and an Orthodox priest who lived in Albania in the 16th century, immediately after the death of Skanderbeg and the Ottoman reconquest. Feel free to admire you sight before leaving!
•Due the moderate amount of walking to reach the main attraction sites could be better to wear comfortable shoes and clothes•We suggest this tour to customers who are able to climb and descend streets and stairs.•This tour is not suitable for customers in wheelchair. •In case of hot weather we suggest you to bring a cap with you.•Reach the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure time.
Meeting Points: Open google map | |
09:00 - Piazza Skanderbeg Tiranë |
1 reviews
Nursep
What a fabulous day. Berat is beautiful and it takes some time to walk around the castle and it is hot, so it might not be for everyone. I recommend if you do visit the castle to wear grippy shoes/trainers/ sandals as the ground is lovely marble cobblestone, which has been polished by years of walking making it slippy. The views are lovely all the way from Tirana to Berat, with all the olive trees and vines it looks a little like Tuscany.