Old Town Berat
About This Museum
What truly sets Berat apart is that it isn't just a museum you walk through; it's one you live in. Known as the 'Town of a Thousand Windows,' its white Ottoman houses cascade down the hillside towards the Osum River, with people still living in them just as their ancestors did for centuries. The entire city feels like a living, breathing exhibit. You're exploring ancient streets that climb towards a formidable castle, where daily life unfolds amidst incredible history.
Collection Highlights
The real treasures are found within the Kala, the castle quarter, where Byzantine churches like the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae hold stunning frescoes. Don't miss the Onufri Museum, dedicated to the master iconographer, where his vibrant reds and intricate details feel miraculously fresh. Wandering further, you'll find traditional merchant houses converted into wonderful ethnographic museums, filled with carved wooden ceilings and everyday objects that tell their own stories.
Visitor Information
Wear your most comfortable shoes because this is a wonderfully vertical experience—you'll be climbing cobblestone paths and ancient stairways. The best time to arrive is in the morning to explore the castle grounds before the midday sun, then wander down through the Mangalem and Gorica quarters for lunch with a view. It’s a place that rewards getting lost.
Architecture & Building
The architecture is a breathtaking layering of history, dominated by iconic Ottoman-era houses with their countless windows stacked above stone foundations. This sits within the massive fortress walls of the Kala, which itself contains even older Byzantine churches, creating a unique palimpsest of styles all in one view.
Contact & Location
Address: Berat, Bashkia Berat, Qarku i Beratit, Shqipëria Jugore, 5001, Shqipëria
Phone: +355 69 443 6736
