Berat is located in the southern part of Albania and lies on both banks of the Osum River, under the shadow of the castle hill and the surrounding mountains. The city consists of two distinct units: the old town, which preserves the traditional urban structure and is a UNESCO protected part, and the new town, which lies on lower plains and has a contemporary urban and infrastructural development.
The old town includes the historic neighborhoods of Mangalem, Gorica and the Castle District, which have been continuously inhabited for centuries. Traditional buildings, cobblestone alleys, white facades and characteristic windows that climb the hillsides give the city the unique identity of the “city of one window over another”. This area has been preserved as a unique museum ensemble and represents one of the most precious assets of the Albanian and international cultural heritage.
The city was known in antiquity by various names, including Antipatrea in the Illyrian and Roman periods, when it was also mentioned by ancient historians such as Titus Livius, who described it as "large and strong city" during the time when the Romans conquered it.
The new town was built mainly during the 20th century and includes most of the public institutions, the administrative center, schools, hospitals, and modern residential areas. This part of the city also offers tourist services, accommodation, and amenities for visitors who come to explore historic Berat.
Berat's history is among the oldest in the country, with traces dating back to antiquity. The Berat Castle, built on a rocky hill in the 13th century, is one of the largest and best-preserved fortresses in Albania. Inside it are Byzantine churches, residential houses, narrow cobblestone streets and the well-known National Museum of Iconography "Onufri", which contains works by the most famous masters of Albanian iconography. During the 16th - 18th centuries, Berat became an important trade and craft center in the region. In the 18th century, Berat was known for its developed crafts, free markets and trade links that connected it with the East and the West through land and sea routes
The characteristics that distinguish Berat are the preservation of the traditional architectural style, the interfaith heritage and the artistic values that are passed down from generation to generation. In the same geographical space, visitors can see the Cathedral of St. Mary, the King's Mosque, the Lead Mosque, the Helvetic Tekke and the churches of the Gorica neighborhood, testifying to the coexistence and religious tolerance over the centuries.
Berat's cultural heritage also includes rich handicrafts, traditional festivals and artistic activities that take place in the city throughout the year. Folk festivals, artisanal products and the characteristic hospitality of the inhabitants give the city a constant vibrancy.
Berat is not just a tourist destination, but a living testament to Albanian history, art, and spirit that is preserved with pride and conveyed with love.
