The Zekate house

(Average 0 of 0 Ratings)
  • place-img
  • place-img
  • place-img
  • place-img
  • place-img
  • place-img
  • place-img
  • place-img
  • place-img
place-imgplace-imgplace-imgplace-imgplace-imgplace-imgplace-imgplace-imgplace-img

One of the most beautiful and best preserved houses of Gjirokastra.

The Zekate House is a grand example of the typical (tower-house), belonging to the wealthiest families in Gjirokastra in 19th century. It belonged to Beqir Zeko, a general administrator of Ali Pasha. It was built in 1811-1812. Where you are in the top of it, the view of river valley is amazing.

This 3 storey house has very strong defensive features, and that is why she is still so powerful until nowadays. The ground floor contains storage rooms, the kitchen and the cistern. The first floor has two rooms used as living quarters for branches of the family, while the third floor has a grand reception room and two other smaller rooms.

The beautifully decorated oda and çardak in the center are two of the most impressive spots of the house. The principal room is very typical of the grandest of these dwellings with frescoed walls, a carved ceiling and an ornate fireplace. This house gives visitors a vast understandings of the vernacular architecture of the city and lifestyle of inhabitants centuries ago.

The surrounding walls divided the three different yards that the house had, which were connected to one another by gates.

The outside walls were built with dry stone masonry, meaning without mortar. The stones are carved to have flat surfaces and then stacked in layers. Usually the walls have two sides built like this, while the inner part is filled with smaller stones and plaster.

Ever few layers, bigger stones are used to create a connections between two sides of the wall. Also the top of the wall is covered with big thin stones tiles, to prevent the rain water from getting in.

The entrance fee is 250 lek.

Hours: 8:00-20:00 every day

Map of The Zekate house