Fico House, a monument of culture in Gjirokastra

While the architecture of the historic buildings in Gjirokastra is indisputably influenced by Ottoman traditions, the old town is itself a product of many elements. Topography has done much to determine the location and layout of the town which grew up on the steep slopes below the castle.  The availability of natural stone for building blocks and large limestone roof slates helped to create the distinctive look of the city.
Gjirokastra was an important administrative centre in the 19th-century populated by landowners with the means to build the grand fortified tower houses known as kullë.  There are over 500 of these historic buildings in the city.  The design of these houses is a function of life in Albania at that time.  A well defended residence was necessary as disagreements between Albanian clans often lead to violent feuds.  In addition there were a number of rebellions against the Sublime Porte in Istanbul.  It was also important to have a secure structure to house livestock in the winter and to have a cool store for water during the long dry months of summer.  The stone lower sections of the tower houses were both defendable fortresses and serviceable storehouse.  The social spaces in the upper levels of the house reflect the hospitable nature of the Gjirokastra people as well as their cultural need to display the high status of the residents through opulent interiors.  This need perhaps out weighed the need for security and the design of some individual properties are obviously less defensible.