The city of Gjirokastėr in the southern part of Albania has several claims to fame. Besides being the birthplace of two of the most important Albanians communist dictator Enver Hoxha and world-renowned writer Ismail Kadare, the city also brings together different elements of the countrys mixed history, representing its Byzantine, Ottoman and Communist pasts. Sometimes called "the City of Stone" is a rare example of a well preserved Ottoman town, built around 13th century castle - oner of the biggest in the Balkans. The town is famous for the tall fortified tower houses built along steep sides of the Drino valley which are reached by a winding network of cobbled streets and roads. The City was subsribed into UNESCO World Heritage site. [edit text][editors]
