Gjirokaster travel
Gjirokaster or Gjirokastra is a city in southern Albania with a population of around 34,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is also the capital of both the Gjirokaster District and the larger Gjirokaster County. Its old town is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town, built by farmers of large estate." Located in the south of the country, at 300 meters above sea level, Gjirokaster is situated in a valley between the Gjere mountains and the Drino River. The city is overlooked by a large castle which dates back to Pre-Christian times.