A special guest blog from an American Expat, about her visit to the Islamic Complex of Xhermehalla, with Tea Tours.
The Islamic Complex is a noted Cultural Monument of Albania, located in Delvinë, which was built in 1682. The site rests under the view of the Delvinë Castle.
The site is beautifully surrounded by trees, which appear uncommon for the area, and it is the trees that you first see, that give you the inkling that a special site is amidst them.
When you park to visit the site, you will see a unique water complex, and if lucky, some of the friendly ducks that reside there. I saw two!
And… an ancient tree with many hand-carved names in it. Sometimes it’s the littlest things that make me smile!
Upon entering the site, you will also see the Albanian Moniker, on the entry gate. This alludes to the site being one of historical significance to the area.
At the site you will find the King Mosque built at the end of the 15th century, with old relics and two caskets inside, a Hammam, built at the beginning of the 16th century, and the mezzanine of this complex, built in the 17th century.
In visiting the tombs with locals, I could feel their great sense of connection to the history, and of their love of the people who had once inhabited the Complex. And, if you need a little respite from the modern world, this site brings forth an inner peace, just in being present there.