In the morning we depart for Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being more than 2400 year old, the town it is one of the most attractive towns in Albania. Established in the 3rd century B.C by an Illyrian tribe of central Albania with a protective castle, it was known as the fortified city of Antipatrea. In 1417 the town was occupied by the Ottoman who built quite a few mosques in the area below the town’s old castle. Berat is situated at the foot of Tomorri Mountain and on the shores of Osum River. Built in white on a slope of green with the river at its feet, it offers a striking view as soon as it becomes visible.

We will visit the Castle, St Marys Church turned Onufri Museum which houses an amazingly diverse collection of Icons and two other churches not open to the public. Onufri whose name has been given to this Icon museum was an Albanian master painter of the 16th century who painted many church icons in Albania and Greece and is famous for its red colour named after him. Berat is also famous, as two of the oldest bibles “New Testaments” one from 6th century and one from 9th century AD have been found here.

Après les visites et un déjeuner optionnel au château, composé de spécialités maison, nous descendrons vers le vieux quartier de Mangalem où nous visiterons la mosquée des Rois et le Helveti Tekke, situés côte à côte. Des monuments religieux de différentes confessions se côtoient, témoignant de la tolérance religieuse des Albanais.

Sur le chemin du retour, nous visiterons la ville de Belsh, située au bord d'un petit lac naturel. La ville est située dans la plaine de Dumrea, qui compte environ 85 lacs de différentes tailles, tous naturels. La route offre un paysage magnifique, un autre point fort de ce circuit.