Known as the cradle of the Albanian civilization, the northern Albanian city of Shkodra is one of the oldest in the country founded in the 4th century B.C. as the center of the Labeat tribe of the Illyrians. Shkodra has been occupied several times throughout history. Firstly, by the Romans (168 B.C.), then the Serbians (1040), the Venetians (1396), and finally by the Ottomans (1479). The city was back under Albanian control as the feudal principality of the Balshaj during the 14th century and served as the municipal center of the Bushatllinj pasalik (province) from 1757 to 1831. Shkodra is rich in cultural heritage; the city itself as well as the people take pride in the large number of artists, musicians, painters, photographers, poets, and writers who were born in the region.
Shkodra is the fourth largest city in Albania. Recently, it has experienced a facelift as streets and buildings have been renovated, a promenade opened and a new swing bridge built over Buna River.
The Shkodra Lake, the Rozafa fortress, the local historical museum, the Marubi Fototeka comprising over 150,000 pictures dating back from 1834 and the local promenade are some of the downtown attractions.
Lake Shkodra, Albania
Located in northwestern Albania, Lake Shkodra and is the largest lake in the entire Balkan Peninsula, with an area of 368 hectares. The lake is shared between Albania and Montenegro, of which 149 hectares and 57 km of shoreline fall within the Albanian territory.
According to the local legend, there was only a small brook fed by a water spring where the lake is today. One evening, a young woman who was collecting water at the spring received the news that her husband had just returned home after years of traveling abroad. She jumped up for joy and ran home, forgetting to put back the rocks that blocked the water from running. The water flowed the whole night and the next day the Shkodra Lake was created. In reality, the lake is sourced by the Moraca River, and drains into the Adriatic via the Bojana River.
Recreational Opportunities
The shores of the lake are quite attractive and varied. Sunbathing, swimming, fishing and boating are the main activities in the Shkodra Lake area. The northern part of the shore is made up of lowlands and marshes, while the southern part, at the foot of the Tarabosh Mountain, is rocky and elevated. There is a popular beach at Shiroka, which receives between 250 and 260 sunny days a year.
On the northern side of the lake lies the well known beach in the Culaj neighborhood of Koplik. Close to Koplik, about 50 meters from the edge of the lake, is the Syri i Sheganit (The Shegan Eye) water spring, with a diameter of 12 meters and clear, icy cold water. This is an attraction of great interest to Scuba aficionados as diving into the spring is possible for the adventurous. On the southwest side of the lake some small islands can be visited. One is named Beska, featuring two churches and Grmozur, a former fortress and prison.
The lake also represents a very important natural ecosystem. There are about 281 species of birds in the area, which represent 87 percent of the number of birds found in Albania. 24,000 aquatic birds spend their winter there each year, making it a perfect place for bird watching. About 45 kinds of fish grow in the lake, including carp, eels and bass.
Rozafa Castle
Shkodra’s main tourist attraction is the Rozafa Castle. Rising majestically upon a rocky hill west of the city, the outcroppings and battlements paint a blazing picture against the setting sun. It is surrounded by the waters of three rivers; the Drini, Buna, and Kiri. Much like the town it protected, the castle has Illyrian origins. According to the historian Tit Liri, “it was the strongest area of the Labeats.” Like all ancient works, the castle comes with a popular local legend. Rozafa was the name of the bride of the youngest of three brothers who originally built the castle. The three men worked tirelessly by day laying mortar and stone but the walls always crumbled overnight.
Consulting a wise man they learned that to expel the evil tearing at their daily work and protect their friends and family with a strong castle that would last through the ages, one of their wives needed to be entombed within the walls. The brothers made a heart-wrenching pact not to alert their wives to this danger, and whoever brought her husband his noon meal the following day would be sacrificed. The elder brothers broke their word, and it was Rozafa alone who came with food. When she heard the proclamation, she wept for her newborn son and husband, but allowed herself to become a living part of the walls so that the castle could be built. According to both legend and local folklore, the calcareous water flowing at the entrance of the castle is the milk flowing from one of her breasts, which she requested be left exposed so that she could feed her baby. She also pleaded for one foot and one arm to be left free, in order to rock her son’s cradle at night and sooth him during the day. Historians tell us a less enchanting and more scientific background of the castle’s characteristics. It reflects the dominion of the Balshaj family but passed through enough other ruling periods that each left their own signs and markings on the grounds, including a distinct Venetian flare, some Ottoman architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries, and even a few modifications from the Bushatllinj family during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Shkodra Pedestrian
Shkodra was the first city that has built a pedestrian walkway in the Historical Center “Kol Idromeno” street. The completion of this project and the conversion of this street into a pedestrian only road, has also turned it into a site hosting various activities such as fairs, concerts etc. The architectural complex of buildings, most of which were designed and implemented by renowned painter and architect Kol Idromeno, are considered one of the best downtown tourist attractions.
Velipoja beach
Situated 22 km away from Shkodra, the Velipoja beach has a coastline of 14 km starting from the delta of Buna to the place called “Rana e Hedhur” and in average 200 meters wide.
It is famous for the quality of its curative sand because the beach naturally regenerates every year through the floods by the sea waves during the winter period, ensuring always a high content of salt and iodine in the sand.
The landscape is largely unspoiled: a mixture of seacoast, river estuary, heathland, thick pinewoods, farmland, and high mountains. Near Velipoja’s beach you can find the Lagoon of Viluni, a surface of 130 ha and the island of Franc Joseph, located in the proximity of the mouth of Buna. The island was named by Austrian cartographers in 1870 in honor of the Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.
The Lagoon of Viluni is a very important natural eco-system hosting a number of varieties of sea birds. Nearby, Velipoja beach is situated also a legal hunting area of 700ha. Velipoja has a particularly attractive ecosystem for those interested in ecotourism and nature lovers.
The River Buna and the surrounding territories, such as the Island of Franc Jozef, the reservoir of Velipoja, the Lagoon of Viluni, the beach of Baks-Rrjoll and the marsh of Domni are protected areas.
What to do?
In Velipoja you have four areas of exploration:
Sandy Beach. The long, sandy beach is a popular attraction in summer with more than 1 million tourists visiting the area each summer season. Here you can bath in the curative sand, play volleyball and football, practice water sports such as: swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, kitesurfing, stand up paddling, wakeboarding, waterskiing, jet skiing, paddleboating, boating, snorkeling.
Pine trees and birds. Near the lagoon of Viluni you can organize a picnic and have lunch, under the freshness of pine trees, bird songs and that wonderful view that Viluni lagoon offers together with migratory birds.
Walk the nature. Another point of attractions in Velipoja is its park, a green and recreational space, which provides a direct contact with nature. Under the shadow of high trees and surrounded by a variety of vegetation you will have the opportunity to observe the beauty of nature. Also you will find a world rich in mammals and birds that populate the beautiful park of Velipoja. For all who love walking in nature, Velipoja Park offers a fascinating adventure into the fresh air.
Hunt and fish. The River Buna is the northern border of Velipoja Beach and is the ideal place for fishing lovers. In the flowing sweet waters of Buna, you can find different types of fish such as: trout, carp, etc. For those who love hunting, it is also the perfect place because it is legally permitted to hunt for birds, rabbit and other animals.
Where to sleep and eat
Velipoja has a considerable number of restaurants, with a picturesque view of nature and the sea, where you might try different cooking styles such as Albanian, Italian and of various Balkan countries.
Food is fresh as it comes directly from fishing or from the villages in the area. Local products used for cooking are delicious and prices in the restaurants are very convenient.
The national road connecting Velipoje with the rest of the country is fully paved and in good condition.
Travelling from Tirana, before entering Shkoder, the roads makes a turn left and Velipoje beach is about 25 km from there.
The beach has not only natural beauties but also many hotels and rented apartments with very convenient prices and comfortable contemporary conditions and their total capacity of 35,000 beds.
Visitors also have the possibility to camp in Barbullush, a village 20 min from Velipoja.
Velipoje has a mild climate (average temperature 6-7C) the summer is relatively hot.
Lonely Planet on Shkodra
Lonely Planet tourist guide, which in 2011 placed Albania as the number one global destination to visit, describes Shkodra as the traditional centre of the Gheg cultural region and one of the oldest cities in Europe. “The ancient Rozafa Fortress has stunning views over the nearby lake, while a concerted effort to renovate the buildings in the Old Town has made wandering through Shkodra a treat for the eyes. Many travelers pass through here between Tirana and Montenegro, or en route to the Lake Koman Ferry and the villages of Theth and Valbon묠but it’s worth spending a night to soak up this pleasant and welcoming place.”
(albania.al; balkansgeotourism.travel, lonelyplanet.com; itravelalbania.com)
