​History

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• After being burned down by the Romans in 200 B.C., the walls were strengthened in the 5th century under Roman Emperor Theodosius II to protect from Barbarian incursions into the Balkans. They were subsequently rebuilt during the 6th century under the Emperor Justinian I and again in the 13th century under the Despot of Epirus.

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• The fortress of Berat in its present state, even though considerably damaged, remains a magnificent sight. The surface that it encompasses made it possible to house a considerable portion of the cities inhabitants. The buildings inside the fortress were built during the 13th century and because of their characteristic architecture are preserved as cultural monuments. The population of the fortress was Christian, and it had about 20 churches (most built during the 13th century) and only one mosque. The churches of the fortress were damaged through years and only some have remained.

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• On July 8, 2008, Berat was registered on the UNESCO list. Berat was regarded as a rare example of Ottoman architecture

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Recommendation

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The highest point is occupied by the Inner Fortress, where ruined stairs lead to a water reservoir. Views are spectacular in all directions. It's a steep 10 to 15-minute walk up the hill from the center of town. For an even more impressive view, continue on right to the far southern end of the complex (the total opposite end from the main entrance) and you'll get to a viewpoint of all the city.