Berati, the most picturesque town of Albania: Gorrica District

On the left bank of the Osumi river below Mount Shpirrag is the traditionally Christian quarter of Gorrica. The name is derived from the Old Slavic word for "little mountain" and refers to Mount Sphirrag in comparison with the much higher Mount Tomorr (2400 m) that towers over Berati. A legend tells that Tomorr and Shpirag were once giants who fought over a young woman. They killed each other and the girl drowned in her tears, which became the Osumi river.

Gorrica is a picturesque neighbourhood with several Orthodox churches. Just across the footbridge that links it with the centre of Berati, is the small church of St. Thomas (Shen Tomi), with many old icons. St. Spyridon Church and Monastery are also worth a visit, with their richly carved pulpit and beuatiful icons.

The neighbourhod is a maza of narrow alleys and Ottoman style houses. A seven-arched stone bridge, dating from 1780, connects it with the other bank further downstream.

	Foot bridge, Osumi river	St. Thomas church, Gorrica	Icons, St. Thomas church	Icon of a Saint
	Church of St. Spyridon	Interior St. Spyridon	In St. Spyridon church	View to the Citadel
	Alley in Gorrica	Houses in Gorrica District	View to Ottoman bridge	The Ottoman bridge

Enter your search termsSubmit search form   Web WorldPics

Click on the map to select a continent...