If you have not read my post introducing you to Albania it is HERE. That will bring you up to date and make sense of what you will be seeing today. We are headed from the bottom of the Hill in historic Berat to the fortress at the top. It would be quite a hike up hill so we are on the bus again. We are on a very narrow dirt road and to the left of it is the town cemetery. People of all the religions that live in the village are buried here. The Muslims, the Christians and the Jews, together. It was smallish and as we passed there were women along the side of the road selling flowers for the cemetery. I dearly would have liked to talk with those women! But, it was not to be. I was lucky I could get a photo of the cemetery or the road at all, since I was on the bus and the dirt road was very bumpy. The rows are numbered on the rock wall surrounding the cemetery, if one is looking for a particular grave.
The fortress of Berat has been considerably damaged over the centuries, but it is still considered a worthwhile historical place and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings inside the fortress were built during the 13th century and are preserved as cultural monuments also. The people, who still live inside the fortress, are Christian. At one time there were twenty churches and one mosque up here. The mosque was used for the Turkish garrison that resided here. Most of the churches are in ruins today and the only remains of the mosque is the base of the minaret.
When the bus parked we were still a hike away from the fortress. These photos were taken from the base of the fortress.
Here was the entrance to the road up to the hill.
The sign of what is up here…………..
Then we got to the first entrance.
and could see some of the surrounding landscape.
These gentlemen were at the second entrance to greet us, playing an accordion and a tambourine. Mind it was only 100 degrees outside. Some of our group stayed at the hotel or restaurant because it was sooooooooo hot!
The women sold traditional dress and tablecloths, but it was hard to find them since they were staying inside to keep cool.
As I came down the hill I noticed this pile of stone at the bottom of the hill. Men were laying the new stone road. One piece at a time, in this heat!
And we came upon this happy couple walking up the hill to have their wedding photographs taken! Oh Happy Day!
Next we are going to a restaurant right up here on the mountain! See you there!
Have a great door week! Look here to see what others are doing for Norm’s Doors!
It’s easy to do Norm’s Doors. Photograph some doors and post them to Thursday Doors on Thursday!
PS All photos were taken on our IPhones this year……..we are traveling lighter!
ThatTravelLadyInHerShoes 
It had to feel every bit of 100º walking on the stones, real pretty there, very nice photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
When we were younger we traveled throughout Eastern Europe, except for Russia and Albania, so this is the first time ever for this country. Hope that nowadays the streets have names!!
Looks like tourism is still upcoming?
LikeLike
No I don’t think they do! They are definitely starting over and working very hard to bring their country up to the 21st century. It’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of money! Tourism is just one part of it! It was interesting to see a developing nation in their stride for freedom. We take for granted all the wonderful products we have and think it’s a bad day when we can’t go shopping, etc. These folks are struggling to have clean water brought to their houses, electricity that lasts through the day, and paved roads!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arched doors and old stone streets say ‘ancient.’ I love ancient history! I notice a slight trough down the middle of the streets. That’s interesting. Probably intended for rain run-off. I didn’t realize that Albania is so hot in summers. Well, it is here, too.
LikeLike
Yes that is for the water. Just like in the old days when they used that also for the sewage!
LikeLike
Yech!
LikeLike
There are a couple of very nice doors in this collection. It looks like a fascinating place to explore but I’d probably last 10 whole minutes in heat like that so I’m glad you made the trip instead of me.
Thanks for the tour 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – there is so much in here! … but mostly the heat! Knowing how hot it was, it put an entirely different perspective on the photos. I’ve done my fair share of sightseeing in extreme heat and I can imagine the heat radiating off all that stone … and the hills! You are tough! I’d be a wilting unhappy mess.
I look at the photo of the wedding couple and wonder how that poor guy in the tux is surviving!
All those beautiful stone structures though are magnificent. Loved the tour!
LikeLike
Beautiful stone! I’m glad it was worth the walk, but in that heat? Yikes!
janet
LikeLike
Janet we’re used to that heat from May until September with the added fun of humidity! Ha ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The place looked deserted. It looks a fascinating place and good for you exploring despite the heat
LikeLike
Dorris this country is very primitive and in its early stages. They are desperately trying to get back their country and get it up to the standards of other countries in the region. They are trying really really hard to bring in tourists.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They have had a tough time for a long time, I guess it will take a while to bring in tourists. Great you’re seeing it now
LikeLike
PS I didn’t get any garden photos yesterday and didn’t have time to look at any either!!!! But I will!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see from your photos how hot it must have been but it looks a great place to explore and especially for photos 🙂
LikeLike