the Fortress of Gjiorokaster
While Gjirokaster got the brunt of the damage during countrywide rioting in 1997, it remains a museum quality town.

Deemed the town of a thousand stairs, Gjirokaster climbs up the Gjere mountain and offers beautiful views of the Drino river valley. Its 4th century fortress dominates the skyline. Taking a design cue from this massive structure, a majority of the homes were built like mini-fortresses to protect families from the blood feuds that were common before the 20th century.


Next: Saranda and the beautiful Ionian Sea