TIRANA, May 24 /ATA/ The Gjirokastër Castle continues to stand as one of Albania’s most visited tourist destinations.

This distinguished monument of culture and national identity is experiencing yet another successful tourist season, reaffirming the growing interest in cultural tourism across the country’s southern region.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, on Sunday shared images of the Gjirokastër Castle packed with visitors.

‘The Gjirokastër Castle continues to welcome both local and foreign visitors, who choose to gain an insight into the history, architecture, and cultural heritage of the stone city,’ Gonxhja wrote.

According to him, ‘the continuous interest of tourists remains a testimony to the historical and cultural values carried by this important monument.’”

The Gjirokastër Castle is strategically positioned on a hill slightly separated from Mali I Gjerë, commanding an elevation of approximately 370 meters above sea level. Relative to other medieval fortifications in Albania, the castle occupies a more compact footprint yet remains in notably superior condition. Measuring 75 meters in width and 500 meters in length, its defensive perimeter is reinforced by the construction of five substantial towers, which enhance both the structural integrity and the fortification’s resilience.

At the entrance to the fortress lies the cannon gallery and a collection of weapons, assembled from the earliest stages of their use up to the First and Second World Wars.

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