Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër (Greek: Αργυρόκαστρον Argyrókastron, Italian: Argirocastro, Turkish: Ergiri) is a city in southern Albania at 40°04′N 20°08′E with a population of around 30,000. It is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County. Its old town is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town, built by farmers of large estate". Gjirokastër is one of the most venerable towns of Albania. Its name means Silver Fortress, and neatly shows the relation within one linguistic group of Greek, Latin, Etruscan and Albanian. Following the archeological site of Butrint, located on the Ionian coast south of the city of Saranda, Gjirokastër was the second site in Albania to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the south of the country, 300 meters above sea level, Gjirokastër has a beautiful and dramatic situation in a lush valley between the high Gjerë mountains and the rushing river Drin or Drinos. Area Code: + 84