View of Gjirokastër

Description

Featured in the 1836 collaborative work of Thomas Allom and Robert Walsh, this steel engraving depicts the Castle of Gjirokastër (Argyro-Castro), one of the most important strategic and cultural centers of Ottoman Rumelia, in the heart of a rugged geography. While the composition centers on the majestic Balkan mountains in the background and the monumental defense architecture and aqueduct flawlessly integrated into the steep rocks, it aesthetically documents the vision of a strong civilization and infrastructure built on challenging topography by illustrating examples of characteristic civil architecture (traditional stone houses) and local people in the right foreground. The old town center of Gjirokastër was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2005 as a rare, well-preserved example of an Ottoman town.