Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër, as seen from the Citadel
Gjirokastër
Coordinates: 40°04′N 20°08′E / 40.067, 20.133
Country	Albania
County	Gjirokastër County
District	Gjirokastër District
Elevation	300 m (984 ft)
Population (2003)
- Total	34,000
Time zone	Central European Time (UTC+1)

Gjirokastër (Greek: Αργυρόκαστρον, Argyrókastron; Aromanian: Ljurocastru, Italian: Argirocastro, Turkish: Ergiri) is a city in southern Albania at 40°04′N 20°08′E with a population of around 34,000. This article is about the country in southern Europe For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Albania topics. Albania is divided into twelve counties ( Albanian: qarku, sing The County of Gjirokastër ( Albanian: Qarku i Gjirokastrës, Greek: Αργυρόκαστρο, Turkish: Ergir Vilayeti ||-||} Albania is divided into 36 districts, or rrethe. Districts are grouped into counties or prefectures of which there are 12 The District of Gjirokastër ( Albanian: Rrethi i Gjirokastrës, Greek: Αργυρόκαστρο, Turkish: Ergir Vilayeti The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit UTC+1 is used in the following locations Central European Time West Africa Time Western European Summer Time Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Aromanian ( limba armãneascã, armãneshce or armãneashti) also known as Macedo-Romanian, Arumanian or Vlach in most Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. Turkish ( tr Türkçe IPA) is a language spoken by over 63 million people worldwide making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status This article is about the country in southern Europe For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Albania topics. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology It is also the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County. The District of Gjirokastër ( Albanian: Rrethi i Gjirokastrës, Greek: Αργυρόκαστρο, Turkish: Ergir Vilayeti The County of Gjirokastër ( Albanian: Qarku i Gjirokastrës, Greek: Αργυρόκαστρο, Turkish: Ergir Vilayeti Its old town is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town, built by farmers of large estate. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish " Located in the south of the country, at 300 meters above sea level, Gjirokastër has a beautiful and dramatic situation in a lush valley between the high Gjerë mountains and the rushing river Drin or Drinos. Mean sea level (MSL is the average (mean height of the Sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface The city is overlooked by a large castle (Kalaja e Gjirokastres) with original walls that date to Pre-Christian times. A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages.

Gjirokastër is considered the center of the Greek community in Albania^[1][2]. Its name in Greek, Argyrokastron, means Silver Fortress, which refers to the castle. The Albanian name is derived from this.

History

Traditional Gjirokastër houses

Gjirokastër is an ancient city with traces of human habitation dating back to the 1st century BC. The 1st century BC started the first day of 100 BC and ended the last day of 1 BC. It is located on the slopes of the Mali i Gjerë ("Wide Mountain"), overlooking the Drinos river. The city was probably founded some time in the 12th century AD around a fortress on the hillside. Fortifications are Military Constructions and Buildings designed for defense in Warfare Humans have constructed defensive works for Under the rule of the Byzantine Empire, it developed into a major commercial centre known as Argyropolis ("Silver City", Greek: Αργυρόπολις) or Argyrokastron ("Silver Castle", Greek: Αργυρόκαστρον). Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly

The city was part of the Byzantine Despotate of Epirus in the 14th century before passing to the Ottoman Empire in 1417. The Principality of Epirus can also refer to the pashalik of Ali Pasha The Despotate or Principality of Epirus (Δεσποτάτο της The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish It was captured in 1811 by the Albanian-born Ali Pasha, who carved out his own semi-autonomous fiefdom in the southwestern Balkans. Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Ali Pasha of Tepelen or of Yannina, the "Lion of Yannina" (1741 &ndash January 24, 1822) was the ruler ( Pasha) of the western In the late 19th century, when the city was the capital of the sandjak of Ergiri in the Yanya vilayet, it became a centre of resistance to Turkish rule. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Sanjak and Sandjak (other variants sinjaq sanjaq) are the most common English transcriptions of the Turkish word sancak Ioannina (Ιωάννινα, often el Γιάννενα or el Γιάννινα / is a city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a metropolitan population of The Assembly of Gjirokastër, a key event in the history of the Albanian liberation movement, was held there in 1880. Year 1880 ( MDCCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year

During the First Balkan War of 1912-1913, the city was claimed by Greece due to its large Greek population in the area of Dropull south of the city. The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913 pitted the Balkan League ( Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, and Bulgaria Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions It was held on three separate occasions by the Greek Army. However, it was awarded to Albania under the terms of the Treaty of London of 1913 and the Protocol of Florence of 17 December 1913 awarded Gjirokastër to Albania. The Treaty of London was signed on 30 May 1913, to deal with territorial adjustments arising out of the conclusion of the First Balkan War. ^[3]. The Greek military returned in October-November 1914, during the First World War, and again captured Gjirokastër and the southern Albanian city of Korçë. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Korçë (Korçë or Korça is a major city in the Korçë District of south-eastern Albania, located at near the border with In April 1916 the territory was annexed to Greece. The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 restored the pre-war status quo, essentially upholding the border line decided in the 1913 Protocol of Florence, and the city was again returned to Albanian control. ^[4]

In April 1939, Gjirokastër was occupied by Italy and was annexed to that country along with much of the rest of Albania. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest During the Second World War, Germany invaded and took control in September 1943, but the city returned to Albanian control in 1944. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe.

The postwar Communist regime developed the city as an industrial and commercial centre. Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based It was elevated to the status of a "museum town", birthplace of the dictator Enver Hoxha, who had been born there in 1908. (ɛnˈvɛɾ ˈhɔdʒa 16 October 1908 11 April 1985 was the leader of the People's Republic of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985 as the Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year His house was converted into a museum which became a focal point of Hoxha's cult of personality. A cult of personality or personality cult arises when a country's leader uses Mass media to create a heroic public image through unquestioning flattery and praise

Gjirokastër suffered severe economic problems following the end of communist rule in 1991. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. It was particularly badly affected by the 1997 collapse of a massive pyramid scheme which destabilised the entire Albanian economy. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar A pyramid scheme is a Non-sustainable Business model that involves the exchange of Money primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme without The city became the focus of a rebellion against the government of Sali Berisha and violent anti-government protests took place which eventually forced Berisha's resignation. (born October 15, 1944) is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania. On December 16, 1997, Hoxha's house was blown up by unknown (but presumably anti-communist) attackers. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar

Museum-City of Gjirokastra*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Albania
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, iv
Reference	569
Region†	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	2005  (29th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

Economy

Gjirokastër is principally a commercial centre with some industries, notably the production of foodstuffs, leather, and textiles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex As of 2008 there are a total of 878 World Heritage Sites located in 145 "State Parties" This article is about the country in southern Europe For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Albania topics. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe. Asia Minor, Cyprus, all of the Aegean Islands, the Canaries A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex

Culture and places of interest

Many houses in Gjirokastër have a distinctive local style that has earned the city the nickname "Town of the Stones", because most of the old houses have roofs covered with stones. Due to Gjirokastër's importance to the Communist regime, its city centre was spared at least some of the thoughtless redevelopment that afflicted other cities in Albania, but its designation as a "museum town" unfortunately did not translate into maintaining the old town. Consequently, many of its historic buildings have become dilapidated, a problem that is only slowly being resolved.

United States Air Force Lockheed T-33 reconnaissance plane forced down in December, 1957, on display in Gjirokastër, Albania. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the country in southern Europe For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Albania topics.

The Citadel dominates the town and overlooks the strategically important route along the river valley. It is open to visitors and contains a military museum featuring captured artillery and memorabilia of the Communist resistance against German occupation, as well as a captured United States Air Force plane to commemorate the Communist regime's struggle against the "imperialist" powers. The citadel dates back to the 18th century and its construction was ordered by Gjin Bue Shpata, a local tribal leader. Additions were built during the 19th and 20th centuries by Ali Pasha Tepelene and the Government of King Zog. Zog I Skanderbeg III of the Albanians ref> (born Ahmet Zogolli, later changed to Ahmet Zogu) (October 8 1895 &ndash April 9 1961 was King Today it possesses five towers and houses a clock tower, a church, water fountains, horse stables, and many more amenities. The northern part of the castle was eventually turned into a prison by Zog's government and housed political prisoners during the communist regime.

Gjirokastër also features an old bazaar which was originally built in the 17th century, but which had to be rebuilt in the 19th century after it burned down. A bazaar ( بازار) (pazar is a permanent merchandising area Marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar There are more than 200 homes preserved as "cultural monuments" in Gjirokastër today, and it is also the site of the National Albanian Folk Festival held every four years (most recently in 2005).

When the town was first proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List in 1988, ICOMOS experts were nonplussed by a number of modern constructions which detracted from the old town's appearance. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS ( fr: Conseil international des monuments et des sites) is a professional association that works for the conservation The historic core of Gjirokastër was finally inscribed in 2005, 15 years after its original nomination. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Education

The first Albanian school of Gjirokastër was Drita School opened in 1908. Eqerem Çabej University of Gjirokastra is the highest education school. Eqerem Çabej University is a university in the Albanian town of Gjirokastra, named after Eqrem Çabej.

Villages Of Gjirokastër

• Andon Poci
• Asim Zenel
• Cepos
• Dervican
• Erind
• Frashtan
• Fushëbardhë
• Gerhot
• Ghiorgnzzati
• Golëm
• Jergucat
• Labova e Kryqit
• Kakavia
• Kolonje
• Kordhiq
• Krioner
• Lazarat
• Libohova
• Mashkullorë
• Nivan
• Palokastër
• Picar
• Polican
• Prongji
• Valare
• Vrisera
• Zhulat
• Pepeli

Famous Gjirokastrites

• Eqrem Çabej, ethnologist
• Nelson Çabej, molecular biologist
• Andon Zako Çajupi, writer
• Adil Çarçani, former Prime Minister, freedom fighter against Italian occupation
• Enver Hoxha, dictator
• Koto Hoxhi , teacher and participant in developing the first alphabet of Albanian
• Ismail Kadare, writer, Nobel Prize candidate
• Viktor Kalemi, translator and former Ambassador
• Saim Kokona, cinematographer
• Musine Kokalari, author
• Vasil Marka, chemist
• Omer Nishani, anti-fascist theorist and freedom fighter
• Baba Rexheb, Bektashi religious leader
• Avni Rustemi, Member of the first democratic parliament of Albania
• Zihni Sako, writer and liberty advocate
• Çerçiz Topulli, Albanian resistance fighter
• Haki Toska, 1912 independence fighter
• Asim Zeneli, WWII freedom fighter
• Fatos Nano, former Socialist Party Leader, former Prime Minister of Albania
• Bashkim Ahmeti, artist

See also

• List of cities in Albania
• History of Albania
• Geography of Albania

References

• "Gjirokastër." Encyclopædia Britannica,2006
• "Gjirokastër or Gjinokastër." The Columbia Encyclopedia (2004)

External links

• Photo Gallery of Gjirokastër from Hotel Kalemi
• Photos of Gjirokastër
• Photo gallery by Andy Carvin
• Gjirokastra Online by Klodian Lula & SIFE UGJ