Vezir's Gate, Gjirokastra Castle, Gjirokastra, Albania

The Vezir's Gate, one of the main gates of Kalaja e Gjirokastres or Gjirokastra Castle, built before the 12th century and expanded by Ali Pasha of Tepelene after 1812, Gjirokastra, Albania. The castle dominates the town and overlooks the strategically important route along the river valley. The government of King Zog expanded the castle prison in 1932. Today it has 5 towers and houses, the new Gjirokastra Museum, a clock tower, a church, a cistern and the stage of the National Folk Festival. Gjirokastra was settled by the Greek Chaonians, the Romans and Byzantines before becoming an Ottoman city in 1417. Its old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Picture by Manuel Cohen

Picture No

13428627

Media ID

45125616

Size

3744px x 5616px (5.9MB)

Credit

Manuel Cohen / Mary Evans

Source

Photograph by Manuel Cohen