Acropolis

The Acropolis of Berat Castle, located at the highest point of the hill, represents the defensive and most ancient core of this monumental castle. Built mainly in the 13th century, it meticulously follows the natural line of the terrain and lies on a plan formed in accordance with the relief, reinforcing its strategic defensive function.

The defensive walls, which once included six watchtowers and defense towers, still preserve four of them today, which testify to the medieval construction techniques and military adaptation of the time. The eastern entrance, positioned in such a way as to control access from the outside, was accompanied by a barbican (fortified courtyard) that served as a protective filter for any entry into the interior of the castle.

Within the acropolis are important remains of buildings that served various functions. The White Mosque, built in the 15th century, is now in ruins, but remains a testament to the religious coexistence and architectural developments of the Ottoman period. In the same space are also the garrison hall, supply depots and water storage tanks, which testify to the military organization and daily life within the fortification walls.

Particularly interesting is the third enclosure, with an area of ​​about 0.24 hectares, where there are remains of Paleo-Christian dwellings dating back to the 5th – 4th centuries BC, as well as traces of a feudal palace, testifying to a continuity of life and administration from antiquity to the late Middle Ages.

A visit to this part of the Berat Castle offers a unique cultural and historical experience, where elements of Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Albanian heritage are combined, all wrapped in a magnificent panoramic landscape over the city and the Osumi River.