Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Charles I of Naples

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived. One of them is the Cathedral of Dormition of St. Mary, which houses today the Onufri Iconographic Museum The national museum is dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painter of the 16th century. Onufri introduced greater realism into facial expressions, breaking with the strict conventions of the time. He was the first to introduce a pinkish red into icon painting, named "Onufri red" today. His work is noted for the intense use of colours and the use of natural dyes. One of the cathedral's elaborate capitals muzeumet-berat.al/en

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived. One of them is the Cathedral of Dormition of St. Mary, which houses today the Onufri Iconographic Museum The national museum is dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painter of the 16th century. Onufri introduced greater realism into facial expressions, breaking with the strict conventions of the time. He was the first to introduce a pinkish red into icon painting, named "Onufri red" today. His work is noted for the intense use of colours and the use of natural dyes. A detail of the cathedral´s iconostasis muzeumet-berat.al/en

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived. One of them is the Cathedral of Dormition of St. Mary, which houses today the Onufri Iconographic Museum The national museum is dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painter of the 16th century. Onufri introduced greater realism into facial expressions, breaking with the strict conventions of the time. He was the first to introduce a pinkish red into icon painting, named "Onufri red" today. His work is noted for the intense use of colours and the use of natural dyes. The cathedral´s iconostasis muzeumet-berat.al/en

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived. One of them is the Cathedral of Dormition of St. Mary, which houses today the Onufri Iconographic Museum The national museum is dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painter of the 16th century. Onufri introduced greater realism into facial expressions, breaking with the strict conventions of the time. He was the first to introduce a pinkish red into icon painting, named "Onufri red" today. His work is noted for the intense use of colours and the use of natural dyes. Anonymus / 18th century / Life giving source muzeumet-berat.al/en

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived. One of them is the Cathedral of Dormition of St. Mary, which houses today the Onufri Iconographic Museum The national museum is dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painter of the 16th century. Onufri introduced greater realism into facial expressions, breaking with the strict conventions of the time. He was the first to introduce a pinkish red into icon painting, named "Onufri red" today. His work is noted for the intense use of colours and the use of natural dyes. Anonymus / 16th century / St. Mary - Odigitria muzeumet-berat.al/en

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived. One of them is the Cathedral of Dormition of St. Mary, which houses today the Onufri Iconographic Museum The national museum is dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painter of the 16th century. Onufri introduced greater realism into facial expressions, breaking with the strict conventions of the time. He was the first to introduce a pinkish red into icon painting, named "Onufri red" today. His work is noted for the intense use of colours and the use of natural dyes. Onufri / 16th century / Presntation in the temple muzeumet-berat.al/en

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived. The cathedral was built in the 18th century and since 1986, the Onufri Museum of Icons is located in the church.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat Castle is the fortified castle district, actually a fortified town, located on a rocky hill almost 200 meters above the city. The current fortifications mostly date from the 13th century, but stand on older foundations, as the hill was fortified in ancient times. The population was Christian and there were about 20 churches, most of them dating from the 13th century. The fortress churches were damaged over the years and only a few have survived.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. A tekke is a building designed for meetings of a Sufi brotherhood, and the "Halveti Tekke" was a lodge dedicated to the mystical Sufi order of the Halveti. Built in 1785 it is the successor to a tekke founded in the 15th century. The tekke is grouped around a courtyard together with a caravanserai and the King Mosque opposite.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. The King Mosque (aka Sultan Mosque) is located in the medieval center of the Mangalem district. Since 1948 it has been one of Albania's cultural monuments. The mosque was built in 1492 by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. It received its current appearance in the 18th century.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. The ruins of the former palace of the local Pasha are located in the center of Mangalem district. Berat was an independent "pashalik" (administrative center) until 1809, when Ali Pasha defeated the Pasha of Berat.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat is sometimes called "the town of a thousand windows".

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Berat is sometimes called "the town of a thousand windows".

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. The St. Michael's Church is a medieval Byzantine church on a hilltop. The church was possibly constructed in the 14th century. ] The church is a cruciform chapel with a dome on drum and narthex.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. The Cathedral is located in the new part of Berat. Nearby stood the old church dedicated to Saint Demetrius, which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1851. Soon after the tragedy, it was decided to build a new church. After the years of communism and the suppression of religions, the damaged cathedral was rebuilt. The construction of the new cathedral began in 1994. It was consecrated in 2009.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. The Gorica Bridge over the Osum river is one of the oldest Ottoman bridges in Albania. It connects two parts of Berat and was originally built from wood in 1780 and was rebuilt with stone in the 1920s. It is 129 metres long and 5.3 metres wide.

Berat was known under the ancient name of Antipatrea since at least the 4th century BC. The city eventually was conquered by Macedonian king Philip V until Roman intervention. It was described as the largest settlement with significant walls but got destroyed in 200 BCE and then included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. Following the fall of the western Roman Empire the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire, when it as well suffered by Slavic invasions.. It became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, in 1018 surrendered to the emperor Basil II, and remained in Byzantine hands until the Second Bulgarian Empire retook the city in 1203. In 1272 Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII asked the Albanian leaders of Berat and Durrës to abandon their alliance with Charles I of Naples, leader of the Kingdom of Albania, who had captured and incorporated it in the Kingdom of Albania. However, they contacted Charles about it as a sign of their loyalty. In 1274 Michael VIII recaptured Berat. In 1280-1281 the Sicilian forces laid siege to Berat. In March 1281 a relief force from Constantinople was able to drive off the Sicilian army and Berat again fell under the control of the Byzantine Empire. Berat the fell into decline. By the end of the 16th century it had only 710 houses. However, it began to recover by the 17th century, and became a major craft centre. During the first part of the 16th century, Berat was a Christian city and did not contain any Muslim households. Following their expulsion from Spain, a Jewish community existed in Berat that consisted of 25 families between 1519 and 1520. End of the 16th century, Berat contained 461 Muslim houses. Conversion to Islam of the urban population in Berat had increased. During WWII, Jews were concealed in the homes and basements of 60 families from the Muslim and Christian communities in Berat. Muslims let Jewish people worship in the local mosque. In the 1950s, during the Communist era, Berat became a place of internal exile for those who were deemed public enemies. In 1967, Albanian author Ismail Kadare was sent to Berat, where he spent two years. Berat, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history.

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073. Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity. Castello svevo (svevo = Swabian) was built from 1233 to 1247 during the reign of Emperor Frederick II. The castle was built on a rocky shore in the middle of the bay of Trani. A moat separated the castle from the mainland. On one of the towers, Frederick II had Pietro Tiepolo, the son of the Venetian doge Jacopo Tiepolo. He had been captured as mayor of Milan at the Battle of Cortenova in 1237. Manfred of Sicily, the son of Frederick II, married his second wife here. After the end of the Hohenstaufen rule, which began with Manfred's death in the Battle of Benevento, the victorious House of Anjou rebuilt the castle so that in 1268 the marriage of Charles I of Naples and Margaret of Burgundy could be celebrated here. When the castle came under the rule of the Spanish under Charles V in 1533, it was extensively rebuilt to adapt it to the new defense requirements. The southern façade facing the countryside was reinforced and bastions were built on the corner towers. From 1832 Castello Svevo was again rebuilt to transform it into a central provincial prison, which opened in 1844 and was in operation until 1974.