Berat walking tour - trekking in Gorica hill

Visit Gorica Berat - Half day tour on the hill

This guided tour Berat was created for those who want to take all the time necessary to get to know Berat and enjoy some of the best views of the city and the surrounding countryside. You will leave at 8:30 in the morning on foot from Rruga Mihal Komnena. You will cross the city center, where you will have the opportunity to see the first morning light. It illuminates the Orthodox churches and mosques which are right next to each other. Going up to Gorica, the first thing you will notice is the incredible breathtaking view that extends over the city. From here in particular, with just a glance it is possible to grasp in its entirety, the neighborhood located on the opposite bank of the river, Mangalem. If Mangalem is famous for its stone houses, Gorica is no exception. The typicality of the local architecture is found in the rectangular windows, which follow each other in parallel on each house, illuminating the interiors. You will climb along the small streets that wind up in the neighborhood to discover flower gardens and beautiful vines. Once you reach the top of Gorica, you will stop to enjoy the show, before returning to travel to go down the hill on the opposite side. Here you will enjoy a privileged point of view of the surrounding valleys, where oil and wine are produced.

Gorica Bridge and the throwing of the Cross

Berat is one of the cities of Albania where there is perhaps no need to talk about tolerance between cultures and religions. For centuries, in the city the Christian Orthodox community has coexisted with the Muslim community showing signs of harmony and brotherhood. Albania is certainly a country with an Islamic majority, but before the Turks there were Christians and Albanians who considered themselves all brothers. One of the symbols of this happy coexistence resides in the Gorica bridge in Berat, not just an architectural attraction. Every year the Orthodox community organizes the sacred ritual of throwing the Cross into the waters of the Osum River. The cross is thrown and then recovered and carried in triumph by a group of young hopefuls. Everyone participates in the ritual, regardless of their belief.

•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