Gjirokastër (Photo by Marc Morell)

Gjirokastër (Albanian: Gjirokastër or Gjirokastra, Greek: Argyrokastron Αργυρόκαστρο or Girokastron) is a city in southern Albania at 40.08°N, 20.15°E with a population of around 30,000. It is an ancient city with old settlement traces dating back to the 1st century BC. Gjirokastër is located on the hills of the Wide Mountain (Mali i Gjerë). At one point the city was a castle (Castle of Gjirokastër) and then it began to grow with buildings springing up on the hills around the castle walls. Gjirokastra, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Gjirokastra, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A city is an urban area, differentiated from a town, village, or hamlet by size, population density, importance, or legal status. ... (2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century - other centuries) The 1st century BC starts on January 1, 100 BC and ends on December 31, 1 BC. An alternative name for this century is the last century BC. (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium AD) Events The Roman...

During the 13th century it was known as Argyropolis, the City of Argyro (i.e. the silver city) or Argyrokastron (i.e. the silver castle). In the 14th century it was part of the Despotate of Epirus and in 1417 it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. The houses in Gjirokastër have a distinguished Albanian style. Gjirokastër also features an old bazaar which was originally built in the 17th century, but that had to be rebuilt in the 19th after it was set on fire. During the 19th century, Gjirokastër was central to the Albanian liberation movement as it hosted the Assembly of Gjirokastër in 1880. The city was developed after World War II and it is today an economic, educational and cultural center of southern Albania. There are over 20 museums in Gjirokastër today and it is also the city of the National Folk Festival. (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... (13th century - 14th century - 15th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400. ... The Despotate of Epirus was one of the successor states of the Byzantine Empire, founded in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. ... Events Antipope Benedict XIII is deposed, and Pope Martin V is elected. ... The Ottoman Empire at the height of its power Imperial motto El Muzaffer Daima The Ever Victorious (as written in tugra) Official language Ottoman Turkish Capital İstanbul (Constantinople/Asitane/Konstantiniyye ) Sovereigns Sultans of the Osmanli Dynasty Population ca 40 million Area 6. ... A bazaar is a market, often covered, typically found in areas of Muslim culture. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

Lockheed T-33 reconnaissance plane forced down in December, 1957 in Gjirokastra, Albania(Photo by Marc Morell)

Gjirokaster is the birth place of Çerçiz Topulli, Ismail Kadare, Eqerem Cabej, Musine Kokalari. Gjirokastër is also the birth place of Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha. Lockheed T-33 reconnaissance plane forced down in December, 1957 in Gjirokastra, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) See also: [1]. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Lockheed T-33 reconnaissance plane forced down in December, 1957 in Gjirokastra, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) See also: [1]. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Categories: Aircraft stubs | U.S. military trainer aircraft 1940-1949 ... December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1957 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Gjirokastër (Photo by Marc Morell) Gjirokastër (Albanian: Gjirokastër or Gjirokastra, Greek: Argyrokastron or Girokastron) is a city in southern Albania at 40. ... Ismail Kadare on a reading in Zurich Ismail Kadare (born January 28, 1936 in Gjirokastër, Albania) is a well known Albanian writer. ... Musine Kokalari (February 10, 1917 Adana, Turkey - August 14, 1983) of Gjirokastër, Albania was probably the most interesting figure among the minor prose writers of Albanias pre-communist period, both as an individual and as an author. ... Enver Hoxha (1908-1985) Enver Hoxha [en-vehr hoj-e] (October 16, 1908–April 11, 1985) was the communist leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death, primarily as the First Secretary of the Albanian Party of Labour. ...

See also

• List of cities in Albania
• History of Albania

This is a list of cities in Albania: Apollonia Bajram Curri Ballsh Berat Bilisht Bulqizë Burrel Butrint Cërrik Çorovodë Delvinë Durrës Elbasan Ersekë Fier Fushë-Krujë Gjirokastër Gramsh Has Himarë Kamzë Kavajë Këlcyrë Klos Koplik Korçë Krujë Krumë Kuçovë Kukës Laç Lezhë Librazhd Lushnj... This article briefly outlines each period of History of Albania only; details are presented in separate articles (see the links in the box and below). ...

External links

• Photo Gallery of Gjirokastër (http://hotelkalemi.tripod.com/index_files/Page322.htm)
• Photos of Gjirokastër (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/galeria/gjirokastra?&page=1)
• ALBoZONE: Cities of Albania (http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7b2yg/id30.html)