Berat Castle Development Plan

Restoring Berat Castle to Its Former Glory: A Historic Revitalization Project

Berat is one of Albania’s most iconic cities, and Berat Castle stands as its pride and joy. The city earned a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites due to its unique architectural style, which reflects influences from various civilizations that have coexisted for centuries throughout its history. The castle together with the Ottoman era residences, the hospitality of its residents and the surrounding natural beauty have transformed Berat into the country’s most popular tourist destinations.

The AADF successfully implemented the Business Improvement District model in Berat in 2015 and is currently advancing on a development plan that will significantly enhance Berat Castle as a cultural and touristic attraction.

The plans encompass upgrades to physical infrastructure, improvements in site access, enhancement of cultural assets, as well as support for local economic development. The AADF is concurrently developing a Destination Management Plan, which serves as a statement of intent for the castle’s management. This plan will clearly designate the roles of various stakeholders, identify specific actions they will take, and allocate resources accordingly.

The ultimate goal of the project is to harness the full potential of Berat Castle and cement Berat’s status on the map of cultural destinations in Albania and the broader region.