PROJECT IN ENGLISHT ... Dibra 1. Brief description 2. Geographic position 3 . How to arrive 4. History 5. Population, Reli, Economy gion 6. Traditions and Customs 7. Place to visit 8 The Doda Castle 9.The Lakes of Lura. 1. Brief description In Albania, Dibra is a prefecture near the border with Macedonia, where is found its almost homonymy Debar, a bordering destination in which you will find the magic atmosphere of the Balkan and a virgin nature offering natural parks, mountain lake and glaciers. A hotel in the prefecture of Dibra is a good basis for the one who loves the mountains and wishes to discover the crowns of the Eagle’s place, enriched with forests and woods, and animals that even today are not affected by the human hand. Navigate in our site the last minute offer or the holiday’s packages suggested and you will not regret. 2. Geographic position Dibra lies in North-Eastern Albania, on the east of the Drini i Zi i River valley, bordering with the Korabi mountain ridge on the east and the Lura mountain ridge on the west. The centre of the district is the town of Peshkopia, located at a distance of 187 km from Albania’s capital Tirana and 21 km from the border crossing point of Bllata in Maqellara. Dibra borders with the Kukes district on the north (75 km), the districts of Mirdita (13 km) and Mati (60 km) on the west, and the district of Bulqiza (28 km) on the south. 3 . How to arrive Air transport: Dibra is located in a distance of 166 kilometers from Albania’s “Mother Theresa” internationalairport. Sea transport: Dibra is located 197 kilometers North-East of Durres, Albania’s main seaport. Land transport: If you travel from Kosovo that borders Dibra on the east, you should follow this itinerary (Prizren 154 km – Kukës 120 km - Rec 130 km SH6 - Peshkopi 36,7 km - Dibër Sh6). If you travel from Macedonia, you should pass through the border crossing point of Bllata, which connects Peshkopia with Dibra e Madhe, at a distance of 21 km. The border crossing point is open till 10 pm. If you travel from Kukes you should follow this itinerary (Gostil 61.3 km- Ujisht 98.6 km – Rec 130 km SH6 - Zall Dardhe 67.9 km-Peshkopi 36.7 km-Kukes). If you travel from the South towards Dibra, you should travel via Bulqiza (Sh6 – Bejn – Klos 15.5 km). 4. History The origins of Dibra date back to 6000 years BC. The archaeological excavations in Cetushi and in the castle of Gradishte in the Bulkaj neighbourhood of the modern town have been able to detect traces of ancient settlements in the region. The ruins of a church are found outside the castle walls, and this bears evidence on the highly probable existence of another settlement in the area. Further settlements are found in the castle of Zdojan, Kallcisht and also in the churches of Dohoshisht. A town with named Debe was first recorded in the 2nd century BC, and it was known in antiquity as a melting pot of Illyrian, Greek and Roman civilization. The inhabitants of Debe are the historic predecessors of the citizens of Dibra. They were members of a tribe that was displaced by another tribe known as the tribe of Penest, which played an important role during the Illyrian war against Rome. It is believed that during the 2nd century the tribe of Penest replaced the tribe of Debor. Based on the Albanian language the name of the town is pronounced as Dibër and not Dober. During the 10th and 11th centuries the existence of a Christian episcopate has been documented in Lower Dibra that bears testimony of the uninterrupted continuation of human settlements in the area. The name ‘Dibra’ was first mentioned by Herodotus in the 5th century BC and it was also recorded by Strabo and Plinius in the 1st century AD. The ancient historians mention the tribe of Dobere that founded the city known as Dober. In the 2nd century AD, Ptolemaeus recorded in his charts the town plan of Dober or Doberos, and referred to its inhabitants as the people of Doberos. Archaeological and historical research has confirmed that Dibra is the historic successor of the ancient city named Doberos, and its actual name derives from that. Dibra used to be a well-known handicraft and trade centre that played an important role in the history of the region. In the year 1502, Dibra was recognized as the central city in that region. In the year 1830-40 Dibra counted some 8400 inhabitants and 250 shops. The town was one of the most important economic centers of that region of Albania. Until the year 1911, Dibra was one of the most developed areas as regards handicrafts, trade, construction and traditional architecture. At that time Dibra counted about 11.000 inhabitants and 462 walkways. After the turmoil of the Balkan wars, Dibra relinquished its importance. Nowadays it still remains one of the less developed areas in Albania. The town of Dibra was traditionally a stronghold against foreign occupations. It is remembered for contributing to the Albanian cause during the Albanian-Osman wars under the leadership of Scanderbeg, who was born there. Even though the town and its inhabitants have been continuously under the influence of other cultures, they still preserve their old traditions and customs, their songs, games, costumes and rich ethnographical symbols. 5. Population, Reli, Economy gion Population: At present the Dibra District has 75.262 inhabitants. 24.106 inhabitants have left the city since 1990. According to the statistical records of the year 1990, the district had 99.368 inhabitants. 67% of this population is settled now in Tirana, 21% in Durres and other districts such as Lushnja, Fieri, Kavaja, Saranda and Shkodra. The district is administratively divided into one Municipality (Peshkopia) and 14 communes. Religion: Three different religions coexist in Dibra: Christian Orthodox 4.5%; Muslim 94.5% and Christian Catholic 0.4%. Dibra is well-known for its religious tolerance between its Christian and Muslim inhabitants. Economy: The main part of the local revenues derives from agriculture, more than 50%, but husbandry is also very important and has always been at the bases of agriculture. Industry has always been of second importance. The period after the ’90 marked the destruction of the industrial objects inherited from the old regime. At any rate, a slight improvement is noted, as far as food processing industry, agriculture and husbandry, product processing industry and extraction of raw materials are concerned. 6. Traditions and Customs Folk costumes: In the past, the traditional fustanella made for the most characteristic piece of clothing for Dibra men. A man would wear a fustanella, a shirt, pants, knee bands, and a waved red waistband. He would also wear a “dollame and xhurdia” (traditional vests). Wearing a white wool fess and tsarouchia shoes was a quite common use. In Golloborda, a place that has best preserved the traditional folk costumes, women used to wear white blouses with pleats under the arms, a red wool waist band (nizamçe) a white embroidered headscarf, a short white vest ( xhoke), tsarouchia shoes, Illyrian earrings and typical gloves. Dance: The local dance is dynamic, full of natural movement and vibrant expression. The dance style is marked by the frequent downward and upwards movements of the dancers that put to vivid display the lively and exuberant character of the Dibra people. The dances, mostly performed in doubles, feature movements executed at an incremental pace escalating from a slow-step courante into a lively succession of moves and recurrent rhythmic steps. The musical instruments typical of the Dibra region are the traditional lute, different sorts of flutes, and “lodra” – the traditional drums. Cuisine: The region of Diber is known for its traditional cuisine. The most traditional dish is known as “birjan” that is prepared through a variety of pasta made of dough, eggs and milk. Also a dish consisting of rice and meat has the status of the local celebrity. Another famous dish is the “Jahni”, made of meats and onions. The most typical sweet is known as “sheqerpare”, made with loads of butter, eggs and dough. 7. Place to visit Thermal baths of Peshkopi: The thermal baths in the immediate vicinity of the town of Peshkopi, known as “the Baths” are built on the thermal water sources rich in sulphur. The baths provide for well-being and good health, and represent a well-known touristic destination. Itinerary The Doda Castle is an area located in the Northern Dibra. It has an overall surface of 7990 hectares spread out in a mountainous area starting from 700 meters above the sea level, and reaching to a final altitude of 2500 metres. The Doda castle is located in the vicinity of the Peshkopi – Kukes route, 35 kilometres, at a distance of 35 kilometres from Peshkopi and 35 kilometres from Kukes. On the south it borders on the Macedonian state border, on the south-eastern part it borders the Sllova commune, in the west with the Kali and Bushtrica commune. The Doda castle is located in the vicinity of the Korab Mountain, Albania’s highest peak that boasts an altitude of 2751 metres above the sea level and a breath-taking landscape. The Korabi Mountain is one of Europe’s highest peaks. It is located in the border between Albania and Macedonia. The area is rich in natural beauties, grazing lands and rocky formations that represent an irresistible attraction to many climbers who are quite willing to reach the mountain’s top. The first station for the climbers is the village of Radomira, which is connected through an asphalted road to the town of Peshkopi. From the Macedonian side the traveller can go as far as the villages of Reka via Gostivar. These villages are Nistrova, Bibaj, Zhuzhnja, Rimnica, Grekaj, Tanusha, Nivishta and Strezimir. Mountain-climbing events are organised every year. The Fairs’ field: The Korab mountain ridge features glaciers and small lakes that are spread on the high valleys, famous for their grazing lands. One of the most known grazing lands is the Fairs’ field, which has the shape of a huge natural amphitheatre, at a height of 2115 metres. Lura is a touristic area that combines the beauties of the carstic lakes, the high mountains, and its meadows. Lura provides excellent opportunities for climbing, picnics, and for admiring breath-taking mountainous landscapes. Lura is an area that boasts unique natural and landscape riches with a high touristic potential. In addition to the wonderful views, Lura is a perfect natural resort for skiing. It has much to offer during all seasons. The National Park of Lura, with a total surface of 1280 hectares is situated on the Eastern side of the massive mountain known as the “Crown of Lura”, some 2121 metres above the sea level. The Lakes of Lura. The area boasts seven carstic lakes located in an astonishing altitude of 1720 metres above the sea level. During the spring and the summer season, the alpine meadows of Lura are full of flowers and green natural grass. Most of the vegetation blossoms in May and June. One of the most beautiful flowers in the area is called “Lady’s Flower”. It has a white crown of petals around a yellow middle part. The white and the colourful lily grows on the surface of the carstic lakes, of which the Lake of the Flowers is the most famous. The blossoming of the violet announces the advent of spring in the Lura area. It is also used as a medicinal herb. #MesueseAurela
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 17:44:56 +0000