Life through the viewfinder: argyrokastro

Showing posts with label argyrokastro. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Dervican, Gjirokaster, Albania

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Dervican[/caption]

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Gjirokastër Castle

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Gjirokastër Castle[/caption]

The castle of Gjirokaster is a great fortress in a very strategic position, overlooking the city of Gjirokaster. It is one of the biggest castles of Albania and to my knowledge, one of the best preserved. It has been used as a prison during the last century, has a weapons museum at the main entrance and there is also an American plane inside (Lockheed T-33), albeit the skeleton nowadays. Wikipedia says it was a spy plane that had to do a forced landing in Rinas, Tirane but there are doubts about this version. The castle offers a fantastic view but be prepared to pay a ticket (around 3-5$) at the entrance if they see you carrying a professional or professionally looking camera. They don't check you inside if you've paid that ticket so as long as you have it in your bag during entrance, you'll be fine. ;)

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Cobbled street in Gjirokaster

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Cobbled street in Gjirokaster[/caption]

Gjirokaster or Argyrokastro (Silver Castle), as the Greek call it, is also called The Stone City. Distinctive features are roofs of stone tiles and cobbled streets. The old part of the city has won the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. My grandparents from my father's side are from Gjirokaster actually.