| Revision as of 13:51, 15 March 2016 editDrimona e Ilirise (talk | contribs)8 edits There is no such site as the mosaic of Tren in Pogradec. The village of Tren is in Devoll District, Korçë County in Albania.Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:06, 16 March 2016 edit undoDrimona e Ilirise (talk | contribs)8 edits →History: The history of Pogradec area was very shortly described and it didn't do justice to its very rich past. For sure my edit is not the best made but at least it gives more info about the past of the area.Tag: Visual editNext edit → | ||
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| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| The earliest human traces in Pogradec area belong to the Early Neolithic period, 8600 cal. B.C, when a small settlement was formed by the shore of the lake in the eastern part of the modern city. | |||
| The shores of Lake ] were inhabited in early antiquity. Lychnidus is one of the locations for the ] of the ]<ref>The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, ISBN 0-631-19807-5, 1996, page 98</ref> that is near Pogradec.The area in the antiquity was at the border<ref name="John Boardman 1994, page 440">The Cambridge ancient history, Tome 6 by John Boardman, ISBN 0521850738, 1994, page 440</ref> between ] and ]. | |||
| ⚫ | "In the Balkan Eneolithic period there were settlements on piles at the north end of ] by the outflow; at the east end of Lake Malik by the outflow; on one side of ]; on the east side of Lake Kastoria; and on one side of Lake Rudnik (Khimadhitis). The later settlements at Malik were not on piles; the level of that Lake was lower throughout the Bronze Age. When Polybius wrote of the account which was used by ],<ref></ref> there were ''two lakes near ] with their own self-supporting factories for pickling fish''. The two lakes which satisfy this description are ] and ]. | ||
| Drilon, the name of the river that flows into the lake near ], is mentioned in early texts of antiquity. The hill overlooking Pogradec is the site of old castle ruins dating back to 5th century.<ref></ref> | |||
| Lychnidus is one of the locations for the ] of the ]<ref>The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, ISBN 0-631-19807-5, 1996, page 98</ref> that is near Pogradec.The area in the antiquity was at the border<ref name="John Boardman 1994, page 440">The Cambridge ancient history, Tome 6 by John Boardman, ISBN 0521850738, 1994, page 440</ref> between ] and ]. During the 5th and 4th century B.C the area was the center of the ] led by king Bardylis and his son ]. Many cities were developed in the area during this time. Among them was the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom, Pelion which is believed to be situated in the modern-village of ] in ] region and Enchelana, situated on the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec. During the ] the area remained as an important connection point between the Adriatic coast and the inner Balkan lands as ], that connected the Adriatic port of ] (modern-day ]) with ], passed next to the shoreline of Lake Ohrid. Christianity was spread in the area from its beginning. This is proved by the existence of the Paleo-Christian ], a trichonch church whose floors are made of mosaics. | |||
| From the 8th until the 14th century, Pogradec area was captured by various medieval states such as the ], Byzantine and ] Empires as well as by noble Albanian families such as ] and Balsa. In the middle of 15th century the area became part of ] state and after his death in 1468, it was invaded by the ] who kept it until Albania's Independence in 1912. During their occupation Pogradec was the center of the ] of Starova and was developed as a small town of craftsmen and fishermen. When the Turkish traveler ] visited the area in 1662 he wrote that "''Pogradec was a sweet city with red roofs, four neighborhoods, four mosques, two elementary schools, six hundred houses and one hundred and fifty shops''". In 14 March 1887 the second Albanian language school was started in Pogradec. | |||
| During ] Pogradec became a battlefield divided between the enemy fronts. From 1914 until 1920 Austro-Hungarian, Serbian, Greek, Bulgarian and French armies, captured the city replacing each-other from time to time. | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| During ] the city was first invaded by the Italian army. After Italy's ] in 1943 the italians were replaced by the German Nazis who kept the city until 30 August 1944 when it was liberated by the Albanian partizans. | |||
| ⚫ | The area of Pogradec is the site of a ] ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5626/|accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> | ||
| After the war the town was a favorite summer escape for many communist government officials and particularly ]. The summer residences and the area around them were sealed off from the public. | |||
| ⚫ | The area of Pogradec is the site of a ] ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5626/|accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> | ||
| == Climate == | == Climate == | ||
| Line 119: | Line 127: | ||
| Translake transport started on 15 June 2014 with a tourist ferry between Pogradec and ], but the service is sporadic and unreliable. | Translake transport started on 15 June 2014 with a tourist ferry between Pogradec and ], but the service is sporadic and unreliable. | ||
| == |
==Main sights== | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Pogradec area is very rich in cultural and natural monuments among which can be mentioned | |||
| ⚫ | "In the Balkan Eneolithic period there were settlements on piles at the north end of ] by the outflow; at the east end of Lake Malik by the outflow; on one side of ]; on the east side of Lake Kastoria; and on one side of Lake Rudnik (Khimadhitis). The later settlements at Malik were not on piles; the level of that Lake was lower throughout the Bronze Age. When Polybius wrote of the account which was used by ],<ref></ref> there were |
||
| *] | *] | ||
| *19th and 20th century historical center of the city of Pogradec | |||
| *Castle of Blace village | *Castle of Blace village | ||
| *Castle of ] village | *Castle of ] village | ||
| Line 142: | Line 151: | ||
| *Byzantine church in the village of ] | *Byzantine church in the village of ] | ||
| *Mosaic in the village of ] | *Mosaic in the village of ] | ||
| *] water sources and swans park near Tushemisht | |||
| *] in ] | |||
| *The carstic cave above the village of ] | |||
| ==Sport== | ==Sport== | ||
Revision as of 18:06, 16 March 2016
Municipality in Korçë, Albania| Pogradec | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 40°54′N 20°39′E / 40.9°N 20.65°E / 40.9; 20.65 | |
| Country |  Albania |
| County | Korçë |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 594.77 km (229.64 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 697 m (2,287 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Municipality | 61,530 |
| • Municipality density | 100/km (270/sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 20,848 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Area Code | 083 |
| Website | www |
Pogradec is a city and municipality in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is located in the County of Korçë. It was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Buçimas, Çërravë, Dardhas, Pogradec, Proptisht, Trebinjë, Udenisht and Velçan, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Pogradec. The total population is 61,530 (2011 census), in a total area of 594.77 km. The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 20,848. Pogradec alone occupies about 15 km².
This city is surrounded by hills on the southern and western side. The lake is in the eastern and northern side of the city. The highway linking to Tirana, Elbasan and Korçë passes through the city. It is located SE of Elbasan, SW of Ohrid in the Republic of Macedonia, N of Korçë and NW of Florina in Greece. The name of the town is Slavic in origin: Pogradec = Po(d) (under/beneath) and Gradec (city in Bulgarian) and means literally "under the city". This is a reference to the former Illyrian settlement, situated on a hill above Pogradec. It was known as İstarova or İstarye during Ottoman rule and was bounded to as kaza center in Görice Sanjak of Manastır Vilayet before Balkan Wars.
History
The earliest human traces in Pogradec area belong to the Early Neolithic period, 8600 cal. B.C, when a small settlement was formed by the shore of the lake in the eastern part of the modern city.
"In the Balkan Eneolithic period there were settlements on piles at the north end of Lake Ohrid by the outflow; at the east end of Lake Malik by the outflow; on one side of Lake Prespa; on the east side of Lake Kastoria; and on one side of Lake Rudnik (Khimadhitis). The later settlements at Malik were not on piles; the level of that Lake was lower throughout the Bronze Age. When Polybius wrote of the account which was used by Strabo, there were two lakes near Lychnidus with their own self-supporting factories for pickling fish. The two lakes which satisfy this description are Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
Lychnidus is one of the locations for the Illyrian tribe of the Encheleans that is near Pogradec.The area in the antiquity was at the border between Chaonia and Illyria. During the 5th and 4th century B.C the area was the center of the First Illyrian Kingdom led by king Bardylis and his son Cleitus. Many cities were developed in the area during this time. Among them was the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom, Pelion which is believed to be situated in the modern-village of Selce e Poshtme in Mokra region and Enchelana, situated on the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec. During the Roman period the area remained as an important connection point between the Adriatic coast and the inner Balkan lands as Via Egnatia, that connected the Adriatic port of Dyrrachion (modern-day Durres) with Byzantium, passed next to the shoreline of Lake Ohrid. Christianity was spread in the area from its beginning. This is proved by the existence of the Paleo-Christian Basilica of Lin, a trichonch church whose floors are made of mosaics.
From the 8th until the 14th century, Pogradec area was captured by various medieval states such as the Bulgarian, Byzantine and Serbian Empires as well as by noble Albanian families such as Gropa and Balsa. In the middle of 15th century the area became part of Skanderbeg state and after his death in 1468, it was invaded by the Ottomans who kept it until Albania's Independence in 1912. During their occupation Pogradec was the center of the kaza of Starova and was developed as a small town of craftsmen and fishermen. When the Turkish traveler Evliya Celebi visited the area in 1662 he wrote that "Pogradec was a sweet city with red roofs, four neighborhoods, four mosques, two elementary schools, six hundred houses and one hundred and fifty shops". In 14 March 1887 the second Albanian language school was started in Pogradec.
During WWI Pogradec became a battlefield divided between the enemy fronts. From 1914 until 1920 Austro-Hungarian, Serbian, Greek, Bulgarian and French armies, captured the city replacing each-other from time to time.
During WWII the city was first invaded by the Italian army. After Italy's capitulation in 1943 the italians were replaced by the German Nazis who kept the city until 30 August 1944 when it was liberated by the Albanian partizans.
After the war the town was a favorite summer escape for many communist government officials and particularly Enver Hoxha. The summer residences and the area around them were sealed off from the public.
The area of Pogradec is the site of a possible UNESCO World Heritage site.
Climate
The climate of the Lake Ohrid is classified as a local-continental type because of a microclime that is created in that area influenced by Mediterranean climate. The average annual rainfall in the Lake basin amount to approximately 730 mm.
| Climate data for Pogradec | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 3 (37) |
8 (46) |
13 (55) |
17 (63) |
22 (72) |
27 (81) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
25 (77) |
19 (66) |
12 (54) |
5 (41) |
18 (64) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −5 (23) |
−3 (27) |
1 (34) |
5 (41) |
9 (48) |
12 (54) |
14 (57) |
14 (57) |
10 (50) |
7 (45) |
2 (36) |
−2 (28) |
5 (42) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 40.5 (1.59) |
38 (1.5) |
34.9 (1.37) |
53.1 (2.09) |
48.4 (1.91) |
29.2 (1.15) |
30.8 (1.21) |
29.2 (1.15) |
38.7 (1.52) |
53.4 (2.10) |
65.6 (2.58) |
73.5 (2.89) |
535.3 (21.06) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 103 |
| Source: World Weather Online | |||||||||||||
Art and culture
Pogradec is well known for its famous writers and poets such as Lasgush Poradeci and Mitrush Kuteli, and lately Luan Starova. Their works are a crucial part of Albanian literature.
The main characters of Luan Starova's cycle of novels, "The Balkan Saga", are the author's own parents and their family, who fled Pogradec for Macedonia during WWII. Separated from their old hometown and their relatives by the Albania-Yugoslavia border during the Enver Hoxha's era, they would often look at Pogradec through a binocular from the vantage point of Monastery of Saint Naum on the other side of the lake.
Pogradec is also the home of nationally acclaimed painters like Anastas Kostandini(Taso), Gjergji Lako, Gentian Zeka, Vangjo Vasili and Ilir Dhima. All kinds of sports are practiced in town, especially by the youth.
Pogradec has a professional soccer team (currently in the Superliga,the best division in Albania) which holds the name Pogradeci. There are several varsity soccer teams mainly composed of high school students. Even volleyball and basketball are played competitively. During the summer, beach volleyball draws the attention of all the residents. Many professional volleyball teams from Albania and other Balkanic countries participate in a championship which lasts about two weeks. Pogradeci team has been awarded the first prize several times. Other sports to mention are swimming and boxing. The boxing team, "Dragoi", is one of the top teams in the nation and has always trained champions.
Pogradec has also a rich folklore. Many songs and dances have been created throughout the centuries. Their themes are based on the beauty of the lake and the love for nature. Lately, with the initiative of "Pirro Xexi" puppet theater, the "Puppet Theater Festival" has been taking place in town. The participants vary from national to European level. All towns around Lake Ohrid gather for Lake Day in a festival where local delicacies including food and culture are showcased.
Transport
Pogradec is located about 139 km from Tirana, the capital city of Albania, 40 km from Korça, and 5 km from Macedonia. Pogradec is the last railway station: Tirana - Durrës - Elbasan - Librazhd - Pogradec and located along SH3 road that passes through Devoll and continues to Greece. Translake transport started on 15 June 2014 with a tourist ferry between Pogradec and Ohrid, but the service is sporadic and unreliable.
Main sights
Pogradec area is very rich in cultural and natural monuments among which can be mentioned
- Pogradec Castle
- 19th and 20th century historical center of the city of Pogradec
- Castle of Blace village
- Castle of Zemçë village
- Monumental Illyrian graves in the village of Selcë e Poshtme, candidates for UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently in the tentative list
- Fortifications in the village of Slabinjë
- Prehistoric settlement of Zagradie in the village of Lin
- Bridge near the villages Jollë and Llëngë
- Bridge near the village of Golik
- Bridge near the village of Niçë
- Bridge near the village of Çezmë
- Bridge in the village of Zgallë
- Bridge in the village of Servatinë
- Terziu Bridge in the village of Proptisht
- Fortification in the village of Shpellë in Mokra
- St. Marina's Monastery in the village of Llëngë
- Paleo-Christian church and mosaics in the village of Lin
- Byzantine church in the village of Lin
- Mosaic in the village of Tushemisht
- Drilon water sources and swans park near Tushemisht
- Guri i Kamjes in Mokra
- The carstic cave above the village of Hudenisht
Sport
The football (soccer) club is KS Pogradeci.
Notable people
- Ermira Babaliu, singer
- Hajdar Blloshmi, politician, one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of Independence
- Endri Çekiçi, footballer
- Llambi Gegprifti, communist politician
- Enea Koliqi, footballer
- Mitrush Kuteli (1907–1967), writer, poet, and economist
- Louis V. Mato (1903-1989), American politician and businessman
- Migen Memelli, soccer player capped with Albania
- Lasgush Poradeci (1899–1987), writer and poet
- Liri Seitllari, writer and poet
- Luan Starova (born 1941), writer and ambassador of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Macedonia to various countries
- Vulnet Starova (1934 - 1994), former president of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia
See also
References
- Law nr. 115/2014
- Interactive map administrative territorial reform
- 2011 census results
- Osmanli Tatarân Teşkilât'i (in Turkish)
- Osman Vilayets (in Turkish)
- Strabo 7.327
- The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, ISBN 0-631-19807-5, 1996, page 98
- The Cambridge ancient history, Tome 6 by John Boardman, ISBN 0521850738, 1994, page 440
- "Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
- World Weather Online
- The theme repeats e.g. throughout The Museum of Atheism
- UNESCO Official Tentative List
- 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1971,' Biographical Sketch of Louis V. Mato, pg. 42
- "ВУЛНЕТ СТАРОВА". Retrieved 8 June 2014.
Bibliography
- N.G.L Hammond, Alexander's Campaign in Illyria, The Journal of Hellenic Studies, pp 4–25. 1974
External links
| Pogradec | |
|---|---|
| Subdivisions of Korçë County | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Korçë | ||
| Municipality of Devoll |  | |
| Municipality of Kolonjë | ||
| Municipality of Korçë | ||
| Municipality of Maliq | ||
| Municipality of Pogradec | ||
| Municipality of Pustec | ||
| Subdivisions of Pogradec municipality | ||
|---|---|---|
| Municipal seat: Pogradec | ||
| Administrative unit of Buçimas |
|  |
| Administrative unit of Çërravë |
| |
| Administrative unit of Dardhas |
| |
| Administrative unit of Pogradec | ||
| Administrative unit of Proptisht |
| |
| Administrative unit of Trebinjë |
| |
| Administrative unit of Udënisht | ||
| Administrative unit of Velçan |
| |
| Municipalities of Albania | ||
|---|---|---|
| The municipalities of Albania are the country's administrative divisions consisting of local administrative units and their inclusive villages. | ||
| Berat County |  | |
| Dibër County | ||
| Durrës County | ||
| Elbasan County | ||
| Fier County | ||
| Gjirokastër County | ||
| Korçë County | ||
| Kukës County | ||
| Lezhë County | ||
| Shkodër County | ||
| Tiranë County | ||
| Vlorë County | ||