Built on a rocky hill on the right side of the Osum River, at an altitude of about 214 meters above sea level, the Berat Castle represents the most significant monument of the city's cultural and historical heritage. It is often referred to as the "crown of Berat", not only for its dominant position in the urban landscape, but also for the architectural, religious and civilizational values it embodies.
The earliest settlement on this hill dates back to the Illyrian period, with evidence of an urban center that was later known in ancient sources as Antipatrea and then as Albanorum oppidum, a name that directly links it to Albanian identity. Its transformation into a well-fortified city-castle occurred mainly during the 1th century, when the surrounding walls were erected to a length of about 400 meters, equipped with 24 defensive towers, making it one of the most powerful defensive structures in the region.
The interior of the fortress, which covers an area of about 9.6 hectares, still preserves deep traces of the spiritual life and multifaceted religious architecture of the city. Once, there were about 42 churches inside it, dating from the early Middle Ages to the 15th century – of which about eight have been preserved to this day. Also located there is the Red Mosque, one of the earliest Islamic cult objects in the fortress, which dates back to the Ottoman period and is known for its name that comes from the color of its bricks.
The castle is not only an ancient settlement, but also an active space that continues to be inhabited. The houses preserved within its walls testify to a rare continuity of urban life, where heritage monuments coexist with the daily lives of the inhabitants.
From its height, the castle offers extraordinary panoramas over the historic city of Berat, the Osumi River and the Gorica Bridge, making this place an essential stop for
any visitor who wants to understand more deeply the identity, historical multilingualism and cultural influence that has accompanied this city over the centuries
