Berat (UNESCO): What to See in Albania's Jewel of a Town

The Berat (Verati) is a city in central Albania, south of Tirana, built next to the river Ozum.

In 1961 it was officially climbed by the state as "«City of Museums». The historic center Berat belongs to Cultural Heritage Monuments of UNESCO (2008), for the "rare examples of architectural character, typical of the Ottoman period". It is divided into the old districts Kala or Castle (Berat Castle area), Mangalem (below the Castle) and Gorica (on the left bank of Ozum) which is connected to the Mangalem with the arched stone bridge Gorica.

The two-story houses of the neighborhood Mangalem, Ottoman architecture, with tiled roofs and large windows, facing the sun, gave Berat the name "«The city of a thousand windows». The houses were rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1851, which had its epicenter in Berat. Berat with the Castle, the white houses, the cobblestone streets, the Orthodox churches and the Muslim mosques is a magnet for tourists.

VERAT – SIGHTSEEING

• Castle Berat or Fortress or Acropolis Berat (Berat Castle).

It is located at the highest point of the city (187 m.), on the hill above the district Mangalem, on the right bank of Ozum and offers endless views. It was founded on 4^th BC century, rebuilt in the 13th^th century and took its current urban and architectural form in the 18th century.^th -19^th century

Of the 30 Orthodox churches that the Castle had, today you will only see 10, like the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Museum "Onufri"), of Panagia Vlacherna and of St. Theodoron, which belong to cultural monuments of Albania (since 1948). Inside the Castle there are ruins of Ottoman mosques, mainly minarets (Royal Mosque, White and Red), also cultural monuments. The Castle, with a perimeter of 1,440 m, 24 towers and 2 gates, remains alive and features stone houses, the "Onufri" Museum, beautiful small hotels, restaurants and cafe - bars (accessible by car from the B gate).

• Holy Trinity Church (Church of the Holy Trinity).

Source: (https://bashkiaberat.gov.al)

The most photographed church in Berat is located on the southern walls of the Castle, on a natural rock and is monument of Byzantine architecture.

• National Iconographic Museum «Onufri» Berat (Muzeu i Ikonographise "Onufri").

It is located within the walls of the Castle, in the district Castle and since 1986 it has been housed within the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or Saint Mary (Katedrales Fjetja e Shen Marise). The church was built in 1797, on the foundations of an old Byzantine church and is a rare example post-Byzantine architecture and cultural monument of Albania (1948).

The Museum bears the name of the great painter and iconographer, Onufri (Greek: Onuphrios Argitis the Neokastrite, 16^thOnufri, with higher education in Venice, founded a painting school in Berat from which his son also graduated. Nikola Onufri.

Source: https://muzeumet-berat.al

The Iconographic Museum «Onufri» has 200 works of art (14^th– 20^th century) mainly Byzantine icons from churches and monasteries of the wider area, works by Onufri and Nikola Onufri, Danid Selenica, Constantine Shpataraku and religious liturgical objects of Albanian silversmithing.

The masterpiece stands out carved wooden iconostasis (Iconostasy, 1807) of Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is considered the most beautiful of Albanian wood carving.

The Museum has relics of Saints (students of Saints Cyril & Methodius, 9^th century) and the (Purple Codex & Golden Codex of Anthimus, 6^th These are Christian books that were discovered on 12-8-1968 in a metal box and in a crypt under the floor of the apse.

It is cultural monuments and are included in the register "«Memory of the World» her UNESCO.

The National Museum Center Berat (Qentra Muzeore Berat) is the official institution of the State which preserves, collects and displays objects related to the its cultural heritage Berat and the wider area, Rruga Toli Bojaxhiu, Berat, tel.: 00355 32 232 224,  https://muzeumet-berat.al.

Here you will find information about tickets and visiting hours at "Onufri".

Open from 15/5 – 30/10, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Mon. – Sun.) and from 1/11– 14/5, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Tue. – Sat.) and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Sun.), closed on Mondays.

Open also on national holidays.

Access to the Museum and by car to the Castle gate.

• National Ethnographic Museum Berat (Berat Ethnographic Museum)

Source: https://muzeumet-berat.al

The Museum is located in a neutral area, close to the historic center. Since 1979 it has been housed in a two-story traditional mansion with a gazebo, a representative house of wealthy families of Berat (18^th It features 1300 objects, such as gold-plated local costumes, tableware, jewelry, tapestries and handicrafts.

More information about visiting hours at https://muzeumet-berat.al.

• Orthodox Church of Panagia Vlacherna (Kisha e Shen Mari Vllahernes), inside the Castle.

It is one of the oldest churches (14^th) and belongs to historically & architectural monuments of Albania. It has frescoes (1578) by Nicola Onufri (the son of the great Onufri), like that of St. Constantine and Helen (2^th half 16^th century). Open daily 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas (Kisha e Shen Kollit), inside the Castle, next to the Church of Panagia Vlacherna.
• Giant stone head of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (Kostandini i madh), on the walls, very close to Panagia Vlacherna.
• Stone arch bridge Gorica (Ura e Gorices), on the left bank of the Ozum River.

1780 bridge connecting the old districts Mangalem and Gorica and it is worth walking through.

Source: (https://bashkiaberat.gov.al

• Bachelor's Mosque (Beqavere Mosque).

Two-story mosque with minaret (1828), in the lower neighborhood of Mangalem, near the river, cultural monument.

• Halveti Tekke (Helvetive Tekke)

Prayer hall of the Khalwati Order (of Sufis), built in 1782 by the ruler of Berat Ahmet Kurt Pasha and is cultural monument.

• Lead Mosque (Lead Mosque)

The Lead Mosque (from the spherical dome with the lead coating) is from the 16th century.^th century and cultural monument.

• National Park Tomorrow – Mountain Tomorrow (Tomaros), 25 km E of Berat.

Tomorrow is the 2nd^th highest mountain in Albania (Cuka Partizan peak, 2,417 m.), Holy Mountain or Baba Tomorrow for the Albanians and cultural monument. At the top of Tomorr there is the Tekke Eyelid and the Grave Abass Ali (Tyrbja e Abaz), of the Bektashi Order. Celebrated between 18-25/8, where thousands of Albanians come to pray, set up tents and eat in nature (access by car from Berat to Polican).

• Canyon Ozum (Kanioni I Osumit), S of Berat.

The impressive gorge, also called the Grand Canyon of Albania, is formed near the city Corovode. For organized hiking in Tomorr and Ozum Gorge, with swimming in its cold waters waterfall God, you will also find offices in Berat.

BERAT – LOCAL PRODUCTS

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – olives

The Berat Valley is the most important olive oil production center in Albania.

• Wines – raki

Berat belongs to the wine-growing zone of the "central hilly region" of Albania (the country's wine-producing region). The famous wines of Berat, from indigenous varieties, are produced in the privately owned vineyards of the wineries (kantina). For example, Kantina Luani and Pupa Winery & GuestHouse are open for tasting.

The Festival «Wines & Stories of Berat» takes place in October with the participation of the country's wineries.

• Homemade jams – spoon sweets

They are made by the women of Berat, with fresh seasonal fruits (grapes, figs, cherries).

BERAT – ACCESS

The Berat it is the 9th^th most populous city in Albania and is the seat of the Municipality of Berat (Bashkia Berat) https://bashkiaberat.gov.al.

It is located 122 km S of Tirana and is suitable for a day trip. You will reach Berat by taxi, rented car or local bus (mini bus).

From Tirana, intercity buses or mini buses depart from the terminal "«South and North Bus Terminal Station» (Terminali i Autobusave te Jugut & Veriut), they operate about 30 routes per day, they start very early in the morning, they have a cheap ticket but they arrive late (about 2 hours).

For information regarding bus schedules, please consult the Municipality of Tirana (Bashkia Tirane) at https://tirana.al (Tourism – Airports and Transportation – Terminals). Information for car rental at https://tirana.al (Tourism – Airports and Transportation – Car Rental).

USEFUL INFORMATION

The cities of Albania that belong to World Heritage Sites of  UNESCO is the Butrint (Buthroth), Berat (Verati) and Gjirokaster (Argyrokastro).

The Free admission days in Museums and Archaeological Parks (Archaeological Sites), for foreign and Albanian citizens are:

-April 18, International Day for Monuments and Sites - International Day for Cultural Heritage.

-May 18, International Museum Day.

-May 21, International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

-September 29, National Cultural Heritage Day - European Cultural Heritage Days.

-November 28, Independence Day (only for Albanian citizens).

-November 29, Liberation Day (only for Albanian citizens).