(PART 5) Albania- The Land of the Illyrians
Albanet
The town has a rich history. In antique times, it was known by the name of Aulona, which was given to it by early Hellenic settlers. In the Middle Ages the Vlora region became an object of contention between various international powers that wanted to maintain a hold on Albania.
Vlora is a coastal city. Vlora is not only the second major port, but also a centre of great historical importance. In ancient times the city was known under the name of Aulon. It was her that in 1912, the Assembly was convened to proclaim Albania as an independent state, forming the first National government headed by Ismail Qemali on 28th of November 1912. At this time Vlora became the capital of the country until 1914.
You can drive south from Vlora, following the scenic route leading to Saranda and discover the unspoilt beaches, the Bay of Portopalermo and the traditional villages of Dhermi, Himara and Piqeras, to mention just a few, with their cobbled streets, stone houses and courtyards shaded by old vines.
[img]http://www.albanian.com/main/countries/albania/vlora/NATEN.JPG[/img]
Vlora is the second major port of the country after Durrës. The city is situated in the South-western part of the country, in a picturesque area along the sea coast. Opposite the town lie the Karaburun Peninsula and the Sazan Island. Vlora has regular maritime connections with the Italian port of Brindisi and seasonal connections with that of Bari.
The town has a rich history. In antique times, it was known by the name of Aulona, which was given to it by early Hellenic settlers. In the Middle Ages the Vlora region became an object of contention between various international powers that wanted to maintain a hold on Albania. During the Ottoman invasion it represented a centre of that power. This is also evidenced by the extensive Ottoman buildings in the city, such as the Great Mosque in the town centre, built in 1542 by the famous Turkish architect Mimar Sinan.
A significant moment in the history of Vlora is the Declaration of Independence prior to the First World War, on 28th November 1912, by Ismail Qemali, a local bey. The event marked the end of five hundred years of Ottoman rule in Albania. The building that was the seat of the first government of an independent Albania is today a place of great interest for tourists.
In the centre of town one's attention is drawn by the Monument of Independence, erected in Sheshi i Flamurit (The Square of the Flag).
Another very interesting religious location is also "Kuz Baba" building of the Bektashi sect, perched up on the hill towering upon the town centre. This spot offers a unique view not only of the town, but also of the entire Vlora Bay.
============================================================================
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Shout this
http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/-part-5-albania-the-land-of-the-illyrians--1972791/1/20
Comments
v+s
nice 🙂 shum bukur v+s
Nice!
Actually I have a magnet from Vlora on my fridge.
v
♥
v + shout
Albania l love you
voted!
looks good! Btw. how is the tourism in Albania- are there resorts, how is the infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, roads etc.) I've never visit Albania and would be nice if someone can give me some more information.
v+S
Excellent!
Voted.
Voted 🙂
V
v 35 sub 224
please return at
http://www.erepublik.com/en/newspaper/irresistible-news-270119/1
thanks
albanians are not Illyrians!
And why exactly aren't they Illyrians?
Hail Deseptikons!!!
@Plainswalker
so heres history: people called Illyrians live in the balkans, theres not proof of thier language, culture, origins except for the Illyrian coin which has a greek dialect so in other words Illyrians have a greek dialect meaning they have a 70% chance of being from greece.
hundreds of years later people called albanians show up with a completely different language similar to Arabia and in almost 800 years they start calling themselves Illyrians
now you know why its so hard to believe Albanians are illyrians
I am sorry, but saying that Illyrians are greeks is one of the funniest things I've ever heard, and I'm hearing funny things all the time : )
@ClaudeK
..... theres no proof of the illyrain language.....
tell me 1 world or letter in Serbian,bulgarian language etc from the turkish language
albanians r turks
@nem01able
you are very ignorant if you think that Southern Slavs have no Turskish words in their vocabulary
check this out
http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turcizam
Maybe interessant for our serbian professor: http://www.balkanium.com/forum/showthread.php/2244-Arabic-Turkish-words-in-Serbocroatian-Bosnian-language
@sasimak: You are more turk then we are, dear bulgarian boy. 🙂