Berat Castle, known as Kalaja e Beratit, rises strategically on an elongated hill within a bend of the Osum River in southern Albania. Originating as a proto-urban settlement around the 5th century BC, the fortress developed mainly from the 13th century onward, blending Byzantine Orthodox churches with Ottoman-era mosques within its ancient walls. The castle's inner citadel was likely constructed during the reign of John Komnenos Asen in the 14th century before falling to Ottoman control in 1417. Today, about 100 families continue living within the 214-meter fortress, which earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, creating a living connection between ancient traditions and modern Albanian life.
