Gjirokastra

At first sight Gjirokastra appears extravagantly fanciful - an oriental vision of towering stone mansions clinging to the sheer sides of the valley. Dominated by a mighty limestone fortress that thrusts forward to accost those who approach along the valley, the city takes your breath away. Old Gjirokastra is one of the best preserved examples of an Ottoman-style town in the Balkans and was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. This ancient city is a fascinating destination for those who want to dig deep into Albania's culture and history at this crossroads of East and West. The Essential Guide unravels the complex history of the city and its landscape, providing a comprehensive introduction to Gjirokastra's winding cobbled streets and impressive architecture. For those keen on exploring the region, it details trips into the surrounding countryside, where ancient fortresses and medieval churches lie alongside more recent ruins of the communist era.