From your hosts: This is one of our personal recommendations for guests staying at Panoramic View House. We know this place well and we are happy to give you more details or help you get there.
The Benca Aqueduct is a remarkable piece of Ottoman-era water engineering, built during the time of Ali Pasha Tepelena to supply water to the growing settlement. This stone aqueduct stretches across the valley near the village of Bencë, and its arched structure remains impressively intact after more than two centuries.
Ali Pasha, the powerful Ottoman governor who ruled much of southern Albania and Greece in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, commissioned extensive infrastructure projects. The Benca Aqueduct is one of the most visible remnants of his building program, demonstrating the sophistication of water management in the region long before modern plumbing.
The aqueduct is located near Bencë, a short drive from Tepelenë. It is freely accessible and makes a fascinating stop combined with the nearby Beçishti Bridge. For history enthusiasts, these sites together paint a vivid picture of Ottoman-era life in the Vjosa valley. Ask your hosts at Panoramic View House for the best route.
Ask us about this place when you arrive — we can give you directions, recommend the best time to visit, and even arrange transport or a guided walk with Avni. Just let us know at breakfast or send a WhatsApp message anytime.
Stay at Panoramic View House — our family guesthouse overlooking the Vjosa River in Tepelenë. From €20/night with homemade breakfast.