The Indian daily The Indian Express has included Gjirokastër among 6 lesser-known historic cities recommended for travellers interested in history and culture. The newspaper highlights destinations that preserve significant architectural, cultural and historical heritage but attract relatively few tourists.

Gjirokastër stands out for its traditional Ottoman architecture and cultural heritage. Known as the “Stone City”, it joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s World Heritage List in 2005. Its historic centre features stone-roofed houses, cobbled streets and a hilltop castle overlooking the Drino Valley.

The city also preserves multi-storey traditional houses built mainly between the 17th and 19th centuries. Other landmarks include the Old Bazaar, the Bazaar Mosque and churches dating from the 18th century. The castle houses museums and historical artefacts. Gjirokastër also hosts the National Folklore Festival, which brings together artistic groups from Albania and Albanian-speaking territories. The city is also the birthplace of renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare.

The newspaper’s selection also includes Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, Lamu in Kenya, Matera in Italy, Trogir in Croatia and Visby in Sweden.

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