Pogradec
| Pogradec | |
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  Pogradec
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Albania |
| County | Korçë County |
| District | Pogradec District |
| Elevation | 650 m (2,133 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 30,000 |
| Time zone | Central European Time (UTC+1) |
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 7301-7303 |
| Area code(s) | 083 |
| Car Plates | PG |
| Website | www.bashkiapogradec.gov.al |
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, 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, 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 comes from the South Slavic languages: Pogradec = Po(d) (under) and Gradec (little town) and means literally "Under the little town".
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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[1] that is near Pogradec.The area in the antiquity was at the border[2] between Chaonia and Illyria. This is one of the locations that the Illyrians had started copying the styles of the Macedonians[2].
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, Bulgarians, Serbians, Ottomans, French, Greeks, Italian, and German 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. 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 climate. The average annual rainfall in the Lake basin amount to approximately 759 mm.
Art & 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 town is also the home of nationally acclaimed painters like Anastas Kostandini, 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 second division) 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.
Archaeology
"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 7.327, there were near the Mt Candavia sector of the Via Egnatia '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.
- Pogradec Castle
- Castle of Blace village
- Castle of Zemçë village
- Fortifications in the village of Selcë e Poshtme
- 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 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
- Cave settlement in Mokra
- St. Marena 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
- Mosaic of Tren
Sport
The football (soccer) club is KS Pogradeci.
Notable people from Pogradec
- Hajdar Blloshmi one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of Independence and politician
- Mitrush Kuteli (13 September 1907 - 4 May 1967) - famous Albanian writer, poet, and economist
- Migen Memelli Albanian soccer player capped with Albania
- Lasgush Poradeci (27 December 1899 - 12 November 1987) - famous Albanian writer and poet
- Liri Seitllari -writer, notable poet and contributor in Albanian Modern Literature
- Luan Starova, (1941 - ) - writer, poet and Macedonian politician
References
- N.G.L Hammond, Alexander's Campaign in Illyria, The Journal of Hellenic Studies, pp 4–25. 1974
External links
- Municipality of Pogradec
- www.pogradecaret.com
- http://www.pogradec.info
- http://www.poradeci.com
- http://www.explorepogradec.com
- Pictures of Pogradec
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