ALBANIA - Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra

"Berat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. Located in central Albania, Berat bears witness to the coexistence of various religious and cultural communities down the centuries. It features a castle, locally known as the Kala, most of which was built in the 13th century, although its origins date back to the 4th century BC. The citadel area numbers many Byzantine churches, mainly from the 13th century, as well as several mosques built under the Ottoman era which began in 1417. Gjirokastra, in the Drinos river valley in southern Albania, features a series of outstanding two-story houses which were developed in the 17th century. The town also retains a bazaar, an 18th-century mosque and two churches of the same period." -http://whc.unesco.org

Postcard 1: Berat

Postcard 2: Gjirokastra

Thank you so much Lilia for the 2 great postcards above

(with matching stamps) from Albania!

So happy to have them!!! My first two cards from Albania!

Thanks to you!!!

Postcard 3: Gjirokastra

 
Thank you so much dear Zuzana of Slovakia for your sending me this
postcard during your holidays to Albania!
So thoughtful of you... Hope you enjoyed your stay there!