Skënduli House — Attraction in Bashkia Gjirokastër

After experiencing a lot of kindness in Albania, I hate that my first review has to be this.

I'll start with the good: the woman who gave the tour provided a lot of good historical and cultural context to the different rooms, so don't pass up the offer for a tour when you enter. After the tour, I asked if I could go take pictures on my own, to which she said yes, but just not in the one specific room with the door closed. So I went around taking pictures with my phone (no professional camera or a GoPro or anything like that).

Now the bad: there is an older man who kept following me around, saying "no videos." He doesn't speak English, so I showed him my panorama, thinking that he probably mistook my movement for recording a video. I then continued to other rooms to take pictures. There are a lot of rooms, so I'm taking about 2-4 pictures per room.

After I was almost done, he started yelling "no photos no photos," while there are other people and groups doing the exact same thing. The only difference is that they're taking photos during the tour instead of after.

So there it is: a good house-museum, spoiled by...

I was very excited to see this house. I have travelled to over 25 countries, and I try to be as respectful of people's cultures, rules, requests etc... at all times. As I am a human, and prone to making mistakes, I unfortunately missed a sign stating no photos in their upper "premiere" room (which was beautiful I may add). When the young man giving the tour saw me lining up my camera, he said no photos. I immediately stopped. In fact, I didn't even take one. Where this low rating comes from, was his insistence on humiliating a tourist in front of strangers, claiming how could I miss the large sign (which wasn't THAT huge), asking me if I took a photo, and then claiming he saw me take it! I denied it, and he continued to argue that I did. I had to invite him to come over and look at my photos...which he felt the need to do! I have loved 100% of my interactions with all local Albanians....minus this young man. I'm hoping he has a chance to reflect on this situation and improve his interactions with tourists. The house is still worth a visit, but beware of...

I highly recommend visiting this beautiful and large house from year of 1700. Also, the current owner speaks only Greek, while his daughter can speak on English but I recommend bringing your local tour guide for better translation. Entry is 200 leke or 2 euros and trust me, it's worth it.

The house has 3 floors, first is the bunker, whole room as a natural fridge, storage room, second is the "winter floor" with chimneys and interesting toilet and "serving" system that's out of this age. And final the third or "summer" floor with a beautiful salon with the amazing balcony, room for newlyweds, special room for women and last and the most important room where you cannot take photos, the ceremony room which is the most beautiful room in the whole house.

Visit it, you...