 Vlora
with 100.000 inhabitants is located in southwestern
Albania, on the coast of the Adriatic. Vlora is also a
touristic center, many hotels and recreational centers are
found along the beaches of Vlora.
In ancient times, Vlora was
known as Aulon. In the 5th century B.C., a stone wall is
built which surrounds the town. In ancient times, Vlora
was known for its wine, olives, and salt, and became the
main port of Illyria after the fall of Apolonia and Oricum.
During the Medieval age,
the town's fate was linked with the Castle of Kanina.
In the year 1201 it was captured by the Normans, in 1206
by Venice, later it was handed over to the German and in
1272 it was incorporated in the Kingdom of Arberia. In the
14th century, Vlora was under the rule of the Balshaj
Albanian feudal family. The town fell to the Ottoman Turks
in 1417. In 1531, Sultan Suleyman used the stones of Aulon
to build a fortress near the town near the stadium in
present Vlora in a pentagon shape, with walls adapted for
artillery fire. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Vlora
once again became a prosperous trade, importing, and
exporting center. Vlora was incorporated in Ali Pasha
Tepelena's kingdom in 1812.
 Vlora
was the first capital of independent Albania. On November
28th, 1912, the National Assembly of Albania declared the
independence of Albania in Vlora, and formed a provisional
government headed by Ismajl Qemali. In 1920, the National
Defense Committee was formed in Vlora, which organized the
forces that fought in the War of Vlora, which was fought
between the Albanians and Italians over the control of the
town, after the Italians refused to coincide to the
ultimatum of the government of Tirana to hand over the
city.The Italians entered the town after their invasion of
Albania in 1939. The natives resisted the Italian
occupation and the town was liberated in October, 1944.
Visit:
National Museum of Independence: This museum is housed
where the first national government of Albania was located
in 1912.
The 15th century Red Mosque
in the Muradije residential area was designed by the
famous architect Sinan originary from Albania.
The Monument of
Independence |
Vlora (pop. 100,000) is located in southwestern Albania, on the
coast of the Adriatic, the second major sea port after
Durr‘s. In ancient times, Vlora was known as Aulon. The
oldest traces of civilization in the area of Vlora date back to
the 6th century B.C. In the 4th century B.C., a stone wall is
built which surrounds the town. In ancient times, Vlora was
known for its wine, olives, and salt, and became the main port
of Illyria after the fall of Apolonia and Oricum. During the
Medieval age, the town's fate was linked with the Castle of
Kanina. In the year 1081 it was captured by the Normans, in 1205
by Venice, later it was handed over to the German Hohenschtaufs,
and in 1272 it was incorporated in the Kingdom of Arb‘ria. In
the 14th century, Vlora was under the rule of the Balshaj
Albanian feudal family. During this period the town was known
for its metal craftsmen, sword makers, silk, and extraction of
salt. The town fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1417, it was the
first Adriatic port captured by them. In the following centuries
it was the center of the sanjak. In 1531, Sultan Suleyman used
the stones of Aulon to build a fortress near the town (near the
stadium in present Vlora) in a pentagon shape, with walls
adapted for artillery fire. Within the fortress were high stone
buildings and houses. This structure and the Mosque of Muradia (Xhamia
e Muradi‘s ) is believed to be designed by Sinan, an Ottoman
architect of Albanian origin. During the 17th and 18th
centuries, Vlora once again became a prosperous trade,
importing, and exporting center. Vlora was incorporated in Ali
Pash‘ Tepelena's kingdom in 1812.
Albanian delegates headed by Ismajl Qemali declare the
independence
of Albania in Vlora, November 28th, 1912 |
Vlora was the first capital of independent Albania. On November
28th, 1912, the National Assembly of Albania declared the
independence of Albania in Vlora, to end a five century Ottoman
rule, and formed a provisional government headed by Ismajl
Qemali. However, the town was captured by the Italians in 1914.
In 1920, the National Defense Committee was formed in Vlora,
which organized the forces that fought in the War of Vlora,
which was fought between the Albanians and Italians over the
control of the town, after the Italians refused to coincide to
the ultimatum of the government of Tirana to hand over the city.
The 7500 well armed Italian soldiers were forced to withdraw in
September, 1920, after the town was surrounded by the Albanians.
Vlora remained a center of democratic
movements, in April, 1924, a committee was formed here, which
led an uprising against King Zog's rule, which eventually led to
the June Revolution, and the establishment of the first
democratic government of Albania. The Italians entered the town
after their invasion of Albania in 1939. The natives resisted
the Italian occupation and the town was liberated in October,
1944.
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Before World War II, Vlora had an oil production factory, a
flour factory, a power plant and several artisan workshops. The
town developed and expanded in the years after World War II.
Today it is an industrial city, and an education center.
Industries in Vlora include food, building materials, chemicals,
and glass. High educational institutions in Vlora include the
University of Vlora, the Naval Officers School, and the School
of Aviation. The city has a professional theater, a cultural
center, library, Museum of History, Museum of Ethnography,
History of the Independence Movement Museum, etc.
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The city has mostly expanded towards the shore, wider streets
were built and tall several story high buildings. The city's
main street has been widened, it connects Sheshi i Flamurit
(Flag Square) with the center of the city in the Pavar‘sia
(Independence) quarter. The street which enters the city from
the north leads to the old bazaar. The Monument of Independence
and the Monument of the Unknown Soldier are some of the
monuments in Vlora.
Vlora is also a touristic center, many hotels
and recreational centers are found along the beaches of Vlora.
Vlora at night |
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