GJIROKASTRA

[genci888]

Some recent pics:

[genci888]

[genci888]

[genci888]

Gjirokastra's castle

[genci888]

[BvizioN]

Good job! Pics on 63,64,65 are so fantastic

[BL]

nice, very interesting

[milan78]

That is one nice looking castle-when does it date from? and who occupied it in the day?

[BvizioN]

A city in southern Albania with an ancient history, that lies on the hills of Mali i Gj'r' (The Wide Mountain).Gjirokastra's (pronounced: Gee-roh'-kah'-strah') population is 30,000.

Traces of old settlements date back to the first century B.C. Because of its favorable position, protected by the high hills and crossed by major routes that lead to the inner parts of the country in the north and the Ionian Sea in the west, it was turned into a castle (The Castle of Gjirokastra), which became the nucleus for its growth. It is said to be the second largest in the Balkans, the largest being in Belgrade.Its appearance as a city began in the 13th century, and it is mentioned in Byzantine writings as Argyropolihne (the city of Argyro). Around this year is when buildings began to emerge on the hills surrounding the castle walls. It became part of the Despotate of Epirus, and in the 14th century it was the center of the Albanian feudal family Zenebish'. The Ottoman Turks took the city in 1417. Due to its awkward position under Ottoman rule, the city had only 163 buildings in 1432. It began to prosper in the 16th century, when it became the center of the Sanjak of Delvina.

More about Gjirokastra

[milan78]

Thanks for the info, its appreciated.

[BvizioN]

You are welcome.

Few more pics (quality of the pics not so good though )

[DanMs]

For some reason i cant see Sarajka's pics and nice ones Genci cheers:

[got pidh?]

This is like the most beautiful city i love it so much it has EVERYTHING...culture, history, beauty, trees, unique architecture, a medieval castle with a WW2 soviet plane lol, and even the beach is like half hour away

[BL]

i like this old houses

[Kapedani]

with a WW2 soviet plane lol

Its a 1957 American plane

[got pidh?]

lol sorry but it doesn't matter you know what i mean hehe

This city is a huge museum

[ShqipeIvertet]

That Airplane was shut down in Albania, I dont remember the exact details and im too lazy to look. Gjirokastra is my home away from home it has the Balkans best Cheese and Meats because of the nutrients etc cattle find on top of these hills. Youknow how lamb meat has that aroma to it that doesnt smell so good well the meat in Gjirokastra doesnt and its due to a special bred lamb along with the nutrients they eat on top of the hill, the meat melts in your mouth. You can get lost in that city if you decide to go walking alone because the streets are so narrow and go in circles that you find yourself in the same spot lool. All the old Albanian cities are build like that wen I was a kid I used to get lost goin through the old part of the city in Korca. From Tre Kendeshi to the Bank and by the stairs going up the hill to see the memorial of the fallen heroes.

[Ardi_]

[IMG]http://i13.************/3yey2rr.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i14.************/3088xhl.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i17.************/33lzi2p.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i18.************/2qnuvbl.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i18.************/4gq3qxv.jpg[/IMG]

[Ardi_]

[IMG]http://i13.************/40g1c9z.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i11.************/40g49b6.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i10.************/435ftix.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i12.************/2vvmaf5.jpg[/IMG]

[SkaNdErBeG]

nice pics ardi... the pics are beatiful... are they new??