Once an essential part of all bazaars from the Balkans to Central Asia, Korça's original han (inn) is one of just two in the Balkans still functioning as a hotel (the other is in Bucharest). Built by a Greek trader over 200 years ago, it was a safe place where travelling salesmen could feed and groom their horses, conduct business, eat, sleep and of course enjoy some hanky-panky. This han was mainly used by traders from Elbasan. Built around a cobbled courtyard with a well, roses and a gate to keep out unwanted visitors, the han had stables for horses downstairs, and simple rooms upstairs along a gallery. Immediately after World War II, the inn was used as a base by the UK and US forces before returning to its original function as a simple hotel.
The han still functions as a hotel, but visitors are welcome to look around the picturesque courtyard and galleries. Many guests in the dirt-cheap rooms are unfortunate would-be emigrants who have been kicked out of Greece and are waiting for a new chance to get in. Ask for former maths teacher, DIY philosopher and long-term han resident Ilija who may be at hand to sit and chat with you in English about life in Korça.