Zekate House

About

Zekate House in Gjirokastër is one of the city’s grandest fortified homes, built in the early 19th century for the powerful Zekate family. What makes it especially interesting is its perfect preservation: the house still displays its original defensive layout, with thick stone walls, narrow stairways, and elevated terraces designed to protect the household during turbulent Ottoman times. It is also considered one of the finest examples of kulla architecture in Albania. Inside, visitors move through a series of elegant rooms arranged across three floors. The main reception hall is the highlight, featuring carved wooden ceilings, brightly painted wall panels, and wide sofas arranged around decorative niches. Sunlight enters through characteristic bay windows, creating a warm glow that enhances the intricate craftsmanship. The women’s quarters showcase embroidered textiles, jewellery, and household tools that reveal the rhythms of domestic life. Lower floors include storage rooms, a winter kitchen, and areas once used for food preparation and wine keeping.

Gjirokastër Albania

Location

It is located at Rruga Bashkim Kokona, Lagjia Palorto No.8, 6001 Gjirokaster, Albania, high up in the historic Palorto quarter. You have to walk a bit uphill on the cobblestones, but when you get there you will see a big fortified tower house from 1811, built by a wealthy Ottoman family. It is UNESCO listed and has two towers, beautiful stone walls and amazing painted interiors. From the top balcony you get one of the best views over the city and the Drino valley, and they even have a small outdoor bar where you can sit with a drink and enjoy it. Just down the hill you have Skenduli House at Rruga Palorto, another great Ottoman palace from the 18th century with original rooms and stories from the family who still owns it. A few minutes walk away is the Ethnographic Museum at Rruga Hysen Hoxha 3, built on the site of Enver Hoxha's former home, showing traditional lifestyle. A bit further is the house of Ismail Kadare at Rruga Fato Berberi 16, the famous writer's museum. And above everything sits Gjirokaster Castle at Rruga Gjin Bue Shpata, one of the biggest castles in the Balkans, with the National Museum of Arms and the Gjirokaster Museum inside, plus the Cold War Tunnel at Rruga Gjin Zenebisi.