Above the ancient Gorica Quarter, the Gorica Ruins overlook the beautiful city of Berat.
The old ruins are just a short hike up a shaggy forested mountainside, and stand directly over one of Berat’s famous medieval neighborhoods – the Gorica Quarter.
Above the quarter, a hiking trail leads to the sprawled out remains of the former castle. To find the entrance, just follow signs hanging among the stone houses. They’ll point you in the trail’s direction, but stop at its entrance. The ruins themselves stand unmarked and can be difficult to find due to multiple paths intersecting. However, giant stones in the shape of a wall will appear between the trees when you look up the hill.
The ground the structure stands is said to have been inhabited thousands of years ago. But, the castle has remained unused since the Roman occupation in the 2nd century BC. Although, I should note that there are signs a fortification might have been here in late as the Bronze Age.
THE STUNNING VIEWS FROM THE GORICA RUINS
Nowadays, the area has been transformed into social gathering place. Small man-made bonfire pits are scattered on top of the hill, and hikers come for the fresh air and stunning views. You might even catch a local goat herder taking an afternoon snooze underneath the shaded trees.
From the Gorica Ruins (map), you can see the whole city of Berat, Albania. The Berat Castle stands directly opposite, and below it the beautiful St. Michael’s Church. There’s a birds eye view of the Gorica Quarter and its many churches. The Mangalem Quarter with its “thousand windows,” and the famous Gorica Bridge that connects the two are also in sight.
Tomorri Mountain National Park is off in the distance, and the dazzling blue waters of the Osumi river appear for miles.
A little heads-up: Make sure to read the trail guide sign at the beginning of the hike, and don’t be afraid to say hello to any fellow trail-goers!
The aging stone walls and wonderful hike through nature make the ruins an awesome little midday adventure from the charming old town of Berat!
