Which Berat Castle Churches You Can Enter

Which churches are open to the public?

The most reliably open church is the Cathedral of the Dormition of St. Mary, as it functions as the Onufri Iconographic Museum.

While the castle once held dozens of Byzantine structures, many are now private or locked. The Onufri Museum is the primary site for visitors to see well-preserved frescoes and a gilded iconostasis. Other churches like St. Nicolas or St. Theodore are frequently locked, though their medieval exteriors remain accessible.

Can you enter the Church of the Holy Trinity?

You can generally only view the interior of the Church of the Holy Trinity through the doorway or during specific maintenance hours.

This 13th-century cross-in-square church is the most photographed site in the citadel due to its hillside position and brickwork. While the interior is often closed to protect the frescoes, the exterior is fully accessible for photography and offers views of the Shpirag mountain.

Are there fees to enter the churches?

There is a standard entry fee for the Berat Castle complex and a separate ticket for the Onufri Museum.

How do you find the hidden churches?

Smaller churches like St. Mary of Blachernae are tucked away in the residential alleys of the Kala neighbourhood.

To see the 16th-century paintings by Nikolla Onufri in St. Mary of Blachernae, you may need to ask residents nearby if a key-holder is available. Most of these smaller chapels are located in the northern and eastern sections of the fortress walls.

What is the best time to visit?

Morning hours are best to avoid the heat and ensure the museum is open.

The castle remains a living neighbourhood, so you can walk the grounds at any time, but the museum and ticketed areas typically follow standard daylight hours. Visiting in the late afternoon provides the best light for the Holy Trinity church facade.