Pogradec
Encyclopedia
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 (2005 est). The total area of the district is 725 km². 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
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, Elbasan
Elbasan
Elbasan is a city in central Albania. It is located on the Shkumbin River in the District of Elbasan and the County of Elbasan, at...
and Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
passes through the city. It is located SE of Elbasan
Elbasan
Elbasan is a city in central Albania. It is located on the Shkumbin River in the District of Elbasan and the County of Elbasan, at...
, SW of Ohrid
Ohrid
Ohrid is a city on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid in the Republic of Macedonia. It has about 42,000 inhabitants, making it the seventh largest city in the country. The city is the seat of Ohrid Municipality. Ohrid is notable for having once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year and has...
in the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, N of Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
and NW of Florina in Greece. The name of the town comes from the South Slavic languages
South Slavic languages
The South Slavic languages comprise one of three branches of the Slavic languages. There are approximately 30 million speakers, mainly in the Balkans. These are separated geographically from speakers of the other two Slavic branches by a belt of German, Hungarian and Romanian speakers...
: Pogradec = Po(d) (under) and Gradec (little town) and means literally "Under the little town". It was known as İstarova or İstarye during Ottoman rule and was bounded to as kaza center in Görice
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
Sanjak of Manastır
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
Vilayet before Balkan Wars.
History
The shores of Lake Lychnidus were inhabited as early as (6000-2000 BC).Lake Ohrid 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 ChaoniaChaonia
Chaonia or Chaon was the name of the northwestern part of Epirus, the homeland of the Greek tribe of the Chaonians. Its main town was called Phoenice. According to Virgil, Chaon was the eponymous ancestor of the Chaonians....
and Illyria
Illyria
In classical antiquity, Illyria was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the Illyrians....
. This is one of the locations that the Illyrians had started copying the styles of the Macedon
Macedon
Macedonia or Macedon was an ancient kingdom, centered in the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, bordered by Epirus to the west, Paeonia to the north, the region of Thrace to the east and Thessaly to the south....
ians.
Drilon, the name of the river that flows into the lake near Tushemisht, is mentioned in early texts of antiquity. The hill overlooking Pogradec is the site of old castle ruins dating back to 5th century.
Pogradec throughout the centuries was occupied by the Macedonians, Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
ns, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
ns, Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
s, French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
s, Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
armies. The second Albanian language schools was started in Pogradec. During the Greco-Italian war in 1940-1941 Pogradec and the areas around it were cut in two by the war front. The town was a favorite summer escape for many communist government officials and particularly Enver Hoxha
Enver Hoxha
Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania...
. The summer residences and the area around them were sealed off from the public.
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 climateMediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
. The average annual rainfall in the Lake basin amount to approximately 759 mm.
Art and culture
Lasgush Poradeci
Llazar Sotir Gusho, , is a 20th century Albanian poet and writer known by the pseudonym Lasgush Poradeci.-Biography:...
and Mitrush Kuteli
Mitrush Kuteli
Dhimitër Pasko , , alias Mitrush Kuteli , was an Albanian writer and translator.-Career:...
, and lately Luan Starova. Their works are a crucial part of Albanian literature. The town 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
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
are played competitively. During the summer, beach volleyball draws the attention of all the residents. Many professional volleyball teams from Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
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
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
and boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. 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 Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an level. All towns around Lake Ohrid gather for Lake Day in a festival where local delicacies including food and culture are showcased.
Archaeology
"In the Balkan Eneolithic period there were settlements on piles at the north end of Lake OhridLake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid straddles the mountainous border between the southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 endemic species that is of worldwide importance...
by the outflow; at the east end of Lake Malik by the outflow; on one side of Lake Prespa
Lake Prespa
Prespa is the name of two freshwater lakes in southeast Europe, shared by Greece, Albania, and Macedonia. Of the total surface area, belongs to Macedonia, to Greece and to Albania...
; 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 7.327, there were near the Mt Candavia sector of the Via Egnatia
Via Egnatia
The Via Egnatia was a road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It crossed the Roman provinces of Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thrace, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey.Starting at Dyrrachium on the...
'the 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
Lake Prespa
Prespa is the name of two freshwater lakes in southeast Europe, shared by Greece, Albania, and Macedonia. Of the total surface area, belongs to Macedonia, to Greece and to Albania...
.
- Pogradec CastlePogradec CastlePogradec Castle is a castle in Pogradec, Albania. At its highest point, it stands 205 metres above Lake Ohrid....
- Castle of BlaceBlaceBlace is a town and municipality located in the Toplica District of Serbia. According to 2011 census, the population of the town is 5,261, while population of the municipality is 11,686.-Demographics:Ethnic groups in the municipality :...
village - Castle of Zemçë village
- Monumental Illyrian graves in the village of Selcë e PoshtmeSelce e PoshtmeSelcë e Poshtme is a village located in the Mokra area, Pogradec District, Korçë County, Albania. Near the village, on the right bank of Shkumbin river at an elevation of above sea level, 5 Royal Tombs of Selca e Poshtme are found...
- Fortifications in the village of Slabinjë
- Prehistoric settlement in the hills of the village of Zagragja
- Bridge near the villages Jollë and Llëngë
- Bridge near the village of Golik
- Bridge near the village of NiçëNiceNice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
- Bridge near the village of Çezmë
- Bridge in the village of Zgallë
- Bridge in the village of Servatinë
- Terziu Bridge in the village of ProptishtProptishtProptisht is a municipality in the Pogradec District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Proptisht, Rodokal Sipër, Rodokal Poshtë, Homezh, Slabinjë, Somotinë, Kriçkovë, Selcë e Poshtme, Homçan, Vërri, Golik, Slatinë, Baribardhë, Selishtë and Zalltore....
- Cave settlement in MokraMokraMokra is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Miedźno, within Kłobuck County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately north of Kłobuck and north of the regional capital Katowice. The village has a population of 796....
- St. Marina's Monastery in the village of Llëngë
- Paleo-christian church and mosaics in the village of LinLinLin may refer to:People*Lin , usually Chinese*Lin, variant of Lyn or Lynn*Lin, short for Linda*Lin , Chinese ninja characterPlaces*Lin, Korçë, village in Pogradec District, Albania...
- Byzantine church in the village of LinLinLin may refer to:People*Lin , usually Chinese*Lin, variant of Lyn or Lynn*Lin, short for Linda*Lin , Chinese ninja characterPlaces*Lin, Korçë, village in Pogradec District, Albania...
- Mosaic in the village of Tushëmisht
- Mosaic of TrenTrenTren may mean:*Trisamine, a coordination chemistry compound*Trenbolone, a veterinary steroid*The Romanian, Spanish and Portuguese word for train...
Notable people
- Ermira Babaliu, singer
- Hajdar BlloshmiHajdar BlloshmiHajdar Blloshmi was one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of Independence and a deputy of Pogradec in the Albanian parliament. His son, Salahydin was a member of the constitutional court of Albania and a deputy of the Albanian parliament in 1925-8.-References:...
, politician, one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of IndependenceAlbanian Declaration of IndependenceThe Albanian Declaration of Independence is the declaration of independence of the Albanian Vilayet from the Ottoman Empire. Albania was proclaimed independent in Vlorë on November 28, 1912.-Background:... - Mitrush KuteliMitrush KuteliDhimitër Pasko , , alias Mitrush Kuteli , was an Albanian writer and translator.-Career:...
(1907–1967), writer, poet, and economist - Migen MemelliMigen MemelliMigen Memelli is an Albanian footballer. The striker currently plays for the Al Taawon in Saudi Arabia. During the 2008-2009 season he was loaned out to KF Tirana from Swedish side GAIS, where he scored 22 league goals in 28 games and won the Golden Boot for the first time in his career.- SK Brann...
, soccer player capped with AlbaniaAlbania national football teamThe Albania national association football team is the national association football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania... - Lasgush PoradeciLasgush PoradeciLlazar Sotir Gusho, , is a 20th century Albanian poet and writer known by the pseudonym Lasgush Poradeci.-Biography:...
(1899–1987), writer and poet - Liri SeitllariLiri SeitllariLiri Seitllari is an Albanian writer. Seitllari was born in Pogradec, Albania.-Books:*Di te ta lexoj fytyren *Profil *Me jeten Dashuruar *Ketej fati nuk merr fryme *Trajtat e Filleses -Bibliography:*http://www.liriseitllarionline.com...
, writer and poet - Luan Starova (born 1941), writer, poet and politician
External links
- Pogradec Travel Guide
- Pogradec at In Your Pocket City Guide
- Pogradec at Wikitravel
- Municipality of Pogradec