Understand
[edit]Peshkopi lies east of the Black Drin river, about 187 kilometres (116 mi) northeast of Tirana, the capital of Albania, and 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the Macedonian border. The town sits 651 metres (2,136 ft) above sea level. Due to the hilly terrain and large amount of trees, mountain tourism is the primary type of tourism in the area.
History
[edit]The name of Peshkopi is derived from the word peshkop, meaning "bishop" in Albanian, or from Episkopè, in Greek. Bulgarian maps of the 11th century show the town under the name.
By the early 16th century, the Ottoman Empire had completed its conquest of Albania. Under its rule, Peshkopi (at that time Debre-i Zir, meaning “lower Debre” in Ottoman Turkish) was a small market town, overshadowed by the larger and more flamboyant Debar (in Albanian: Dibra and Madhe, “Great Dibër”), which today lies just across the Macedonian border. In 1873 an Ottoman barracks was built in Peshkopi, which housed up to 8000 soldiers.
The Dibër region, including Peshkopi, took part in the revolts against Ottoman authority that were taking place in Albania in the early 20th century. Albanian armed bands (in Albanian: box) freed Peshkopi by the Ottomans on August 16, 1912.
In the aftermath of the break with the Ottoman Empire, the army Serbian invaded Dibër and entered Peshkopi in early December 1912. Albanian forces retook the city on 20 September 1913. The Bulgarian army invaded the city on 1 January 1916. TheAustro-Hungaric Empire, an ally of Bulgaria, led the army to Peshkopi on April 12, 1916 and carried out arson and executions throughout the region in an attempt to quell local resistance. The Bulgarians and Austro-Hungarians left the area in September 1918.
Le Italian forces invaded Albania in 1939, reaching Peshkopi on April 15. Albanian communist partisans recaptured the city on September 9, 1943. The following October, the partisans defeated the forces of the Balli Kombëtar in an armed battle for control of the city. In July 1944, German forces occupied the city, but were expelled later that month. Fighting continued in the Dibër region until early September, leaving control to the communist-dominated National Liberation Army (Albanian: National Ushtria)
Get in
[edit]It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tirana to Peshkopi, by car on the Arber Highway that connects Tirana to Dibra.
Peshkopi is located about 187 km from Tirana, the capital of Albania. Transportation is carried out by regular minibus lines and bus lines.
Get around
[edit]On foot
[edit]All the main important places to visit in Peshkopi are near the city center, you can only take a walk and visit.
By taxi
[edit]There are taxis are at the terminal, at the entrance to the city.
See
[edit]- Thermal mineral water springs and sulphur baths (Llixha). The baths are located a short distance east of the city, upstream along the creek which runs through the middle of Peshkopi. They are reputed to alleviate some health issues. They are a draw for seasonal tourism, primarily from within Albania, but also to a lesser extent from neighboring countries.
- Dibra Museum. located beside the general secondary school, houses a collection of local costumes, carpets, kitchen equipment and filigree jewelry, as well as a number of models of local architecture.
- The Elez Isufi Boulevard. A pedestrian-only street in the middle of Peshkopi lined with linden (Albanian: bli) trees. The street is paved with non-native stone from Berat.
- Skanderbeg Monument, Safet Zhulali street.
- Dibra Park (Park), Rasim Fetahu Bardulla street, ☏ +355 69 878 3544.
Usually in October, the "Harvest Festival"(Festa e Te Vjelave) begins in Peshkopi, which is the most important fair where the Dibra cuisine and the main products of the region are promoted. Different types of cheese, rakia, honey, sweets, as well as various fruits or the traditional dishes mentioned earlier make the fair visited by many locals and foreign tourists.
- Oda Dibrane. Oda Dibrane is a festival organized in the city of Peshkopi, since in 1994. which aims to bring together Albanian artists wherever they are. This festival reflects the traditions and cultures of the area through songs, folk dances, etc.
- You can visit the Skanderbeg monument.
Do
[edit]Football. The city's main team is KF Korabi Peshkopi and its home stadium is Korabi Stadium with a capacity of 6,000 spectators. The multidisciplinary club's home arena is the Bashkim Lala Sports Palace, which has a capacity of over 2,000 spectators.
Buy
[edit]- EIBA Shopping Center, or the Peshkopi Market.
Eat
[edit]- Jufka me pule (oven-baked chicken Jufka)
- Fli me saç (Fli or Flia is a traditional Albanian food. Fli is mostly cooked in the northern areas of Albania). After cooking, Fli is preferably served with melted butter, but there are also people who prefer to pour the butter into the pan while cooking.
- Petulla dibrane (cooked with milk and fried with oil)
- Groshe me Pasterma (beans with dried salted meat)
- Speca me gjize (green peppers stuffed with cottage cheese)
Some of the traditional desserts in Peshkopi are Hallva, Revanija, Bakllavaja, Sheqerpare etc.
- Sheqerpare (a traditional dessert that is a type of soft cookie,baked and then soaked in sherbet.)
Drink
[edit]Dibra's cuisine is known for the variety and quality of its dairy products and local alcoholic beverages, such as Grape Raki (Raki kumbulle)
- Vranici Street House Coffe Bar, Rruga Vehbi Dibra.
- D.O.N Coffe Bar & Lounge, Rruga Tercilio Kardinali, ☏ +355 68 444 4777.
- Bolzano Lounge Diber, Safet Zhulali Street, ☏ +355 686892186. Closes 23:00. ALL 1–500 per person.
- Bar New York-Peshkopi, Old Cinema, Elez Isufi Boulevard.
- Triangolo Lounge, ☏ +355 68 506 3304. 7AM-11PM.
Sleep
[edit]- Resort Zerja and Spa. features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Peshkopi. Providing a bar, the property is located within 24 km of Monastery of Saint George the Victorious).
- Guesthouse Tershana: Offering a garden and garden view, Guesthouse Tershana is situated in Peshkopi, 27 km from Monastery of Saint George the Victorious and 45 km from Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery.
- Hotel Piazza: Hotel Piazza has a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Peshkopi. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk.
- Hotel Termal. Located in Peshkopi, 28 km from Monastery of Saint George the Victorious, Hotel Termal provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant.
- Hotel Brooklyn, ☏ +355 68 401 9929. Check-out: 11:00.
- Hotel Korabi (Turizmi i Vjeter), Peshkopi,Boulevard, ☏ +355 68 506 3304. Check-in: 2:00PM.
Go next
[edit]- Bulqiza(Bulqiza is a municipality in Dibër County, northeastern Albania.It takes 30 minutes from Peshkopi to Bulqiza)
- Maqellare(Is a village and a former municipality in the Diber Country ,northeastern Albania)
- Arras( Is a village and a former municipality in the Diber Country,northeastern Albania