From the Port of Saranda to Gjirokastra and Blue Eye Spring
Duration: 6 Hours
Highlights: The Museum City of Gjirokastra, UNESCO Heritage
Description
Meet with the local guide at your cruise ship in the port of Saranda and start the tour towards Gjirokastra.
The town of Gjirokastra is built on the slope of a hill and is known for its characteristic and narrow coble stone streets. The dwelling houses have the form of medieval towers consisting of a building ensemble with characteristic architecture. The city was besieged and captured by the Ottomans in the 15th century, but unlike many other towns in Albania it flourished under its new rulers. In the 17th century it had 2000 houses and was a very important trading town. The castle itself stands like a balcony over the city. It enables the visitors to enjoy a very beautiful landscape. The National Museum of Weapons is housed in the interior of the castle. Gjirokastra has produced many important historic figures among which the dictator Enver Hoxha and the several times Nobel Prize candidate, the famous Albanian writer Ismail Kadare.
On the way back to Saranda stop at the Blue Eye Spring. Its colour is deep blue in the centre where the water flows out, and light blue at the sides where the green vegetation creates an impression of eyelashes. People say that the spring was named by an engineer in a hydro-power station, who was reminded of the blue eyes of his beloved.
Return to the port of Saranda.
