The native endonym of Albanians is Shqiptar of the Shqipëri or Shqipëria, which means Children of the Eagles and Land of the Eagles, [likely derived from the Albanian word shqiponjë = eagle] - the eagle being a common Albanian dynasty heraldic symbol since the Middle Ages, like the Skanderbeg family symbol, the black, double-headed eagle that's on the Albanian flag.
† Illyrian was likely the name of the first, individual tribe the Greeks encountered in the region later named for them, Illyria. The name came to refer to all the tribes, like the Albani,
living on the 🔎Western Balkan Peninsula.
The rugged Albanian Alps, pristine beaches, historic sites & Ottoman-era architecture of Albania, with a blend of Greek & Italian influences, create an affordable and nearly tourist free destination.
@ a glance essentials:
.
Language:
Albanian
(Shqip)
Albanian Lek (L)
Water safety
Generally Safe to Drink in tourist areas. Go Bottled when Remote.
Many can speak English, particularly the young and in larger cities.
Currency:
ALL
Local Transport
There is a bus network in large cities but smaller towns will require a car.
Have CASH. Outside of Tirana credit cards are rarely accepted. While the LEK is the official currency, Euro's are generally accepted as well. Also be warned GOOGLE Maps is not terribly accurate in this region.
Hot Tip:
The Albani / Albanoi (Abroi,) as mentioned by the Ancient Greeks ~500 BC, may have been an Illyrian tribe living along the Adriatic Sea🔍. But the earliest undisputed reference to the modern Albanian people, (that may or may not be the people Greeks called Albani,) is of them taking part in a revolt against Constantinople in 1079. And the first known Albanian autonomous 🔎principality; Arbanon, was established soon after in the 12c, followed by the 🔎Kingdom of Albania, Principality of Albania & Albania Veneta, among others, all formed between the 13 & 15c in different parts of the country, until, in the late 15c, it became part of the Ottoman Empire.
a bit of background...
.....................Modern Albanians go by almost as many ethnonyms (in various regions) as the country's had name changes. There are no fewer than 7 additional, distinct terms for the people: Arbënesh / Arbëresh (Albanian) - Arbanasi - Arvanites - Arnaut/Arnavut - Albanese - Epirot & Shqiptar.
FUN FACT:
In 1912, the Albanian state 🔍 declared it's independence and by 1928 they were the Kingdom of Albania, which then became Greater Albania after being invaded by, & uniting with, Italy. After a brief stint as a Nazi protectorate in WWII, the People's Socialist Republic of Albania was formed, which lasted until a 1991 revolution overthrew the communists†, resulting in the current 🔎 Republic of Albania.
† Their despotic dictator, Enver Hoxha was so hardline he viewed the USSR as too lax
Must Try Local Cuisine:
Flija†- crêpe layers w/ yogurt & honey ∞ Jani me Fasule - white bean soup ∞ Lakror - savory pie
Qumështor - baked custard ∞ Pispili - spinach cornbread pie ∞ Qofte Fërguara - fried meatballs
Qifqi - rice balls w/ mint ∞ Berati schnitzel - pork stuffed w/ hard cheese ∞ Gjize - dry curdled cheese
Ayran - a yogurt-based drink ∞ Fërgesë Tirane - creamy clay pot vegetable bake with salted cottage cheese
Tavë Kosi†† - lamb & rice casserole baked w/ kos (soured goat milk) or a yogurt & egg topping
➿➰➿
† There is a whole day dedicated to the dish; Flija Day, March 18th †† Dating back to the 15c
I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit
Albania
(but it's on the list!) - So I don't have any personal
(If you get there first send me your best finds !)
recommendations yet, but you can start with the most popular spots
below, and I'll update with my favorites, hopefully soon!
Most Known For:
♦️ Albanian Alps🔍 - (called Accursed Mountains because they're only accessible by a handful of
high passes) w/ beautiful hiking across Lake Komani Ferry to Theth & its Natural Park
- (the village is so remote it only has ~20 families & is completely isolated in winter)
🔸 Adriatic & Ionian Beachs like Ksamil Village Beach
♦️ Butrint - a 3000 year old city with remains of Greek, Roman & Ottoman structures
🔸 Historic Berat - town of 1000 windows for it's cluster of coastal hillside Ottoman homes
& Gjirokastër - the stone city & home to Gjirokastër Fortress
♦️ The 🔎 Blue Eye bubbling spring - 160+ ft deep but with water so clear the bottom is still visible
🔸 Shkodër - on the Kir river, one of the oldest cities of continent with the oldest extant Ottoman Bridge
♦️ The old capitol, quaint town of Kruja, (at the foot of Mount Kruja) & the new, colorful concrete capitol,
Tirana w/ it's Pyramid of Tirana & Bunk’Art; relics of it's communist past
👀 NOTABLE ALBANIANS:
📿 Saint Mother Teresa | Humanitarian 🎤 Dua Lipa | Singer
👣
🌀 Dita e Veres (March) - pagan holiday celebrating Diana, the Goddess of nature, coming out of her temple to
end winter. People search for a clump of earth w/ roots growing to keep in their home as a sign of good luck
🌀 National Heritage Festivals like the Folklore Festival of Përmet (May) celebrating Albanian traditional
music, dance, & costumes or the huge Folk Festival in Gjirokastër held every five years
🌀 Kruja Mnt Festival (August) - a pilgrimage to a cave in the mountains where miracles are said to have occurred
🌀 Shëngjergj Tomato 🍅 Festival (September)
Site Key:
Five Star Recommend
Make the Time!
Worth the Effort/ $
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