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We begin the tour of Berat Castle at the Memorial Antonio Gramshi, where the imposing walls tell the story of the civilizations that left their mark on Berat.
We will explore Illyrian ruins, the origins of the Albanian language, and the historic Kala district, still inhabited today. We will stroll through its cobbled streets and discover its cultural and social life.
We will visit two medieval churches, including the church of St. Mary Blacherna, famous for its 16th-century Byzantine frescoes, and St. Nicholas, which preserves a reused ancient altar.
We’ll climb to the Acropolis, the highest point of the castle, with breathtaking views of the river, Mount Shpirag, and the Gorica district. Along the way, we’ll see the Red Mosque, the Byzantine cistern, and the Monastery of St. George, with panoramic views of the majestic Mount Tomorrow.
We will finish the tour at the Tabya tower, the best viewpoint in Berat, before descending along the castle paths among historic houses and traditional shops.
At the Memorial Antonio Gramshi (Google Map)
Every day at 12.00
It’s best to wear shoes that aren’t slippery
We will meet in front of the castle’s main gate. There, we will have the opportunity to see up close the many layers of civilizations reflected in the castle walls.
Strolling through the streets of the castle, we’ll reach the Church of St. Mary Blacherna and the Church of St. Nicholas. The Church of St. Mary Blacherna is the oldest church in Berat Castle. We can admire its valuable frescoes and learn about the building’s long and turbulent history. Just a few meters away is the Church of St. Nicholas, which houses an altar considered one of the three oldest archaeological artifacts in the city of Berat, dating back to the early years of Christianity.
Our next stop is the acropolis, the highest point of the castle. It is a medieval square surrounded by medieval walls. In the distance, above the walls rises the high mountain of Shpirag. The panoramic views from the acropolis extend towards the northern part of the city of Berat. This part of the city was the last to be built during communism. Inside the acropolis is the cistern, a large medieval structure that provided water to the inhabitants of the castle, especially in times of war.
Only two mosques remain in the castle: the white mosque and the red mosque. Today only some parts of both survive. The white mosque was used by Ottoman leaders, while the red mosque was for soldiers. The Red Mosque is believed to be the oldest in Albania, built using a technique similar to that used for churches.
The last stop is the Tabya tower, also called the panoramic viewpoint. From there you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city of Berat, the historic Gorica quarter, and the modern city. You can appreciate the beauty of the city and the nature that surrounds it, with Mount Tomorri rising to the south.
