Handicrafts in Berat are an inherited cultural value, preserved to this day across various forms, including wood carving, embroidery, silver and metalwork, straw crafts, stone engraving, and decorative stonework. These crafts are primarily practiced as domestic activities, focusing on woodworking, stone carving, metalwork, embroidery, and carpet weaving, providing artisans with a means of livelihood. Today, woodworking masters are rare in Berat, and those who still practice the craft do so mainly for economic sustenance, while maintaining their passion for the art. Berat has a long-standing tradition of working with stone and wood—two essential elements in both residential and religious architecture. These crafts are among the most ancient in the region, continuing a heritage that holds as much value as the city itself.
Wood Carving
Wood artisans in Berat create a variety of handcrafted items, such as wooden frames, lamps, home ornaments, pencil holders, fruit bowls, and jewelry boxes. The main materials used in woodworking include wood, iron engraving tools, nails, glue, silicone, and wooden sticks.
Artisans in Berat
One of Berat’s most renowned woodcarvers is Ilirjan Doko, who has been practicing this craft for 30 years. He pursued professional education in woodworking and, driven by passion, closely followed the master craftsmen of his time. His dedication to wood carving, particularly in preserving the traditions of his ancestors, has made him a respected figure in the field.
