Berat, Apollonia, Unesco

Berat is considered a rare example of typical Ottoman architecture. According to UNESCO, it stands as a testament to the coexistence of different religious and cultural communities over the centuries. Similarly, Berat and Gjirokastra are remarkable examples of the diverse urban societies in the Balkans, preserving ways of life that are now nearly extinct. Both cities stand as exceptional representations of various monuments and urban folk dwellings from the Classical Ottoman period, continuing the traditions of the Medieval cultures that came before them. As a result, this significant recognition places Berat among the 600 sites worldwide designated as UNESCO World Heritage due to their universal cultural value.

The town is divided into two old neighborhoods, Gorica and Mangalem. Nestled at the base of Tomorri Mountain and alongside the Osum River, Berat presents a breathtaking view as it emerges into sight. In addition, known for its iconic white-washed houses with multiple windows stacked upon each other, the town has earned the nickname “town of one above the other window.”

Apollonia was the second most important city in the Adriatic basin, following Dyrrachium. It was, in fact, the most frequently mentioned among the 30 cities in the ancient world that shared the same name. Archaeologists call Apollonia, the “Pompeii of Albania,” as only 10% of the former city’s territory has been discovered to date. Apollonia, a key center in Roman times was situated along the famous Via Egnatia. The renowned Roman orator Cicero, impressed by its beauty, called it “magna urbs et gravis” – a great and important city in his Philippics.

Berat, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage, and Apollonia are cities that should not be missed when visiting Albania.