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The Glossary
Berat, famous the world over as the “Town of a Thousand Windows,” is a city located in South Central Albania. This historic town was recently included in the UN World Heritage List, as it a very rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman city – with a treasure trove of beautiful buildings of the highest architectural and historical interest. It is the second site in the country to have been inducted into the list, following Gjirokastër. Berat's attraction, however, lies more in its distant history as against the more recent communist past of Gjirokastër.
The city is divided by the Osumi River, which makes a 915-meter deep gorge through the limestone rock on its west side – creating three parts: Goritsa (little mountain), Mangalem and Kalaja. Tourists can visit the town's 15th century mosque, the churches painted by the renowned 16th century painter Onufri and an old Byzantine citadel, which overlooks Berat. It is a picturesque conservation area containing narrow streets, Turkish houses and Orthodox churches.
Berat also boasts of an ancient castle - known to the locals as the Kala - which was built during the 13th century, even though its origins are believed actually to date back to the 4th century BC. The surroundings include many valuable Byzantine wall paintings and icons. Several mosques that were erected under the Turkish occupation of the land in 1417 may also be found, in addition to religious community dwellings that were famed to be used by Sufi brotherhoods in the 18th century. Here is a town that conceals behind its solemn façade a past rich in medieval history.
User blogs:
Cheaper galactic spaceliner unveiled
News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space. The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post
Indonesia Eco Tourism
Tour Itenaray Day 01 BALI - LABUAN BAJO – RINCA ISLAND – KOMODO ISLAND (L.D) Pick up from your hotel in Bali and transfer to the airport, for flight to Labuan Bajo (West Flores) for approximately one and half hours. On arrival in Labuan Bajo airport, will be welcomed and met with our local representative or tour guide. Than transfer to the harbour to catch a boat cross to Rinca ... Read full Blog post
San Gimignano and San Pellegrino
Night falls on the flourishing and industrious San Gimignano, its 72 towers stand on the low roofs of the houses lit by the moon. This is not a luxury travel spot but is something you don't see every day. In the distance the clatter of hooves echoed tired in the Via Francigena. The hand of the blacksmith stops beating, the frame of the weaver becomes silent, the streets of the tank only a concert ... Read full Blog post
An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga
Its a party in the sky as multi colored hot air balloons piloted ny different pilots from various partso of the world participated in this annual gathering. As early as 5am, the 2,500 hectare aviation complex at Clar Economic Zone in Pampanga was already crammedi with excitement. Clusters of hot air balloon participants busily prepare their own balloons for liftoff as they need to take advantage of ... Read full Blog post
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