Berat Things to Do

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The first photo shows the Mangalem district from the other bank of the Osum river. All the houses have their “many windows” front that gave the city the name of “the thousand windows city”. On the right, Shtëpia e Bardhe (bachelor’s mosque).

Other three photos show various aspects of the houses in Mangalem, all shot from Gorica side of the Osum river.

Right in the square where buses and furgon arrive and depart there's a large and lavish Orthodox Church, whose name I could not find anywhere. It's in the mainly Muslim area, Mangalem.

Berati is the seat of a bishop of the Albanian Orthodox Church. - and the autocephalic Albanian Orthodox Church was proclaimed in this town in 1922. I wonder if this church is where the bishop officiates.

The Sultan's Mosque (in Albanian Xhamia e Mbretit), is the oldest in the town - and one of the oldest in Albania, too. It is sometimes known as the King's mosque.

it was built from 1481 until 1512 under the reign of Bayazid II and it is particularly known for its fine ceiling.

The Leaden Mosque (in Albanian Xhamia e Plumbit), was built in 1555 and so called from the covering of its cupola and roof. it is obviously made of lead, which reflects in the sun.

This mosque, one of the three major ones in town, is located in the centre of the town, on a large square. it's a buildong with a rown of interesting arches.

Near the entrance of the citadel there is the little Church of St. Theodore (Shen Todher), a strange and small building with an exterior polygonal apse. It was built on the foundations of an older church and most of what can be seen dates from the 16th century.

Inside you can admire frescos abnd paitings by the great Albanian painter Onufri - especially worth of note are the Virgin with outstretched arms, the Church Fathers and of Christ and the Angel Gabriel.

There is also an interesting 18th century icon depicting St Theodore as he's struggling with a dragon.

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Santa Maria's sleep church, which is in fact a small cathedral, is now a museum dedicated to Onufri. Onufri was the greatest of the 16th century painters in Albania. Onufri is famous for his techniques of fresco and icons and for his peculiar red. called "Onufri's Red" although it looks more like pink, now.

Inside the museum you can admire a wonderful iconostasi (truly spectacular), as well as old icons and examples of religious silversmith's work, including sacred vessels, icon casings and covers of Gospel books. Gospels books of berati are famous and in this museum you can see some interesting copies (the originals are in Tirana).

You need to buy a separate entrance ticket for 200 leks to visit this church/museum. Photography is not allowed inside, so as not to damage the frescos.

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The Church of St. Mary of Vllaherna dating from the 13th/14th century is a small interesting church which doesn't look like a church very much. However you can recognise it easily by the large (recent) statue portraying a head right in front of it.

The cross-shaped church contains mural paintings by Nikolla, son of the Albania's most famous medieval painter, Onufri. It's located in a small little square surrounded by trees. Nearby you can find the Church of the Holy Trinity.

The main entrance to the Kalasa in Berati is on the north side and it is defended by a fortified courtyard. It's a tower, mostly well-preserved with a passage where horses and carriages (now cars) could enter.

The first impression is memorable, as the citadel looks "solid" and "unpenetrable" with its thick white walls. it is also the place where you buy your entrance tickets.