BVA

Banesa e Zekatëve
House of Zekate family

Gjirokastër, Albania

Built in 1811 (at the top of the Palorto Quarter) for Beqir Zeko, a town administrator under Ali Pasha (19th century ruler of the Ottoman Pashalik of Tepelena/Yanina), this exceptionally tall masonry residence was fortified against brigands or local feuds. Its two flanking towers are topped by elegant ceremonial and living rooms of lighter construction and large windows, joined by a central bay with open-air chardak. Angled wooden braces support the overhangs of stone-clad roofs. The house now serves as an Ethnographic Museum.
(photo 2015)