Berat is one of the oldest city in Albania, with a settlement having existed there since at least the 6th century BC, when it was a fortress-settlement of the Illyrian Dasaretes tribe on the old border between Illyria and Epirus. It was captured by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, and suffered from repeated invasions by Slavs and other "barbarian" tribes.
The Ottoman Empire conquered it in 1450 and retained it until 1912. However, it did not retain direct control for the whole of this period – in 1809, the tyrannical Ali Pasha, who was himself of Albanian origins, seized the town and refortified it. In 1867, Berat became a sanjak in Janina (Yanya) vilayet.
During the period of Ottoman rule, Berat fell into severe decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. It began to recover in the 17th century and became a major craft centre specialising in wood carving. During the 19th century, Berat played an important part in the Albanian national revival. It became a major base of support for the League of Prizren, the late 19th century Albanian nationalist alliance. In November 1944, the communist-controlled Anti-Fascist National Liberation Council of Albania declared in Berat that it was the provisional government of the country, signalling the beginning of the long dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.
Suggestions: going uo to the castle, you have a great view of the city.
Near the river is the Palace of Culture. Beyond this is the Bachelor´s Mosque (1827).
Continue on towards the old stone bridge and you´ll see the 14th-century Church of St Michael high up on the hillside, below the citadel.
In Mangalem, behind the Bachelor´s Mosque, is Muzeu i Luftes.
Beyond the bank on the stone road leading up towards the citadel is the Museu Etnografik.
After entering the citadel through its massive gate, continue straight ahead on the main street and you will see the sign to the Muzeu Onufri .
The Museu Onufri and the Orthodox Cathedral of Our Lady (1797) are both within the monastery walls.The wooden iconostasis(1850) and pulpit in the cathedral are splendid. |
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