Vlorë

From the mountains, the road will take us to the Albanian Riviera – a wonderful 100 km long coastline, where the mountains touch the sea. On the southern side of the Riviera lies Sarandë,  while on the northern side is the city of Vlore, one of the two main port cities of Albania, a city located on the shore of a large natural bay, that resembles San Francisco bay, but in Albania.

Vlore is the closest place to Bari in Italy, on the other side of the Adriatic Sea. It was founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC. Together with Durres and Apolonia (today’s Fier), it was one of three Greek colonies on the Albanian coast.

In the 4th century AD, Vlore was known as Aulna. There was a Christian diocese there. In the Middle Ages, the port was connected with the fortress of Kanina, which is located a few kilometers away to the southeast. In the 15th century, it was conquered by the Turks, who built a fortress and a mosque designed by Sinan. The idea was that Albania would be a bridge to the conquest of Italy, but this was prevented by the rebellions of Skanderbeg. In the 16th century.

Ismail Kameli declared the independence of Albania from the balcony in Vlore in 1912. It was the first capital of Albania. After the Serbs, Montenegrins and Greeks conquered large parts of the Albanian lands in the First Balkan War, the Albanians declared their independence with the support of the Americans in the remaining part, but Vlore was soon occupied by the Italians in 1914, during World War I. In 1920, a popular uprising against the Italians took place and they were expelled from Vlore, but returned to it in 1939. During World War II, it was a naval base of the Nazis, and after the war – of the Russians.

Today it is a city A bustling port in Albanian terms, and a pleasant and quiet resort town. South of Vlore for about thirty kilometers, along the shores of the Gulf of Vlore, there are small coves with hotels and private beaches. The water here is very clear and the rocks and trees reach right down to the water.

It is worth seeing in Vlore the Independence Square with the statue of the Independence of Albania, as well as the new and magnificent Bektashi Center.

The Bektashi tekke is painted green and is visible from anywhere in Vlore. It is located on a hill that dominates the city. Once the entire area belonged to them, and part of their struggle today is to reclaim this property. Almost every large city in southern Albania has a tekke that controls the city. The tekke has two floors, and on the second floor there was a large and traditional meydan (religious meeting Hall).

Next to the tekke is a large restaurant overlooking the view, and from the observation deck you can see the entire city and the bay.