Cultural Visit

Shkodër (Northern Albania)

Cultural and Historical inheritage in the "Cradle of Albanian culture".

Shkodra is an ancient city, rich in historical events and cultural monuments. The history of Shkodra can be "read" in the illyric graves, in the ruins of fortifications and castles, in the traditional costumes and in the rich folklore, in the characteristic houses, in the handmade productions (especially wood and silver),...

Shkodra is called the "cradle of Albanian culture". Many outstanding personalities as historians, poets, painters, composers, etc., are originally of this city.

Shkodra is the place of harmony between three religions.

In the mountain area you can hear fragments of the "Cikli i Kreshnikëve" (the epos of the legendary heroes), accompanied with "lahuta" (old musical instrument), or you can see the "xhubleta" - a 4000 year old woman clothing.

1. Dates: May - September.

2. Number of participants:

10 to 12 persons; languages: Italian, English, German, Albanian.

3. Days of visit:

8 (7 nights)

4. Arrival:

Rinas Airport (Tirana). For those traveling by ferry-boat, the Port of Durrës.

5. Accommodation:

"Rozafa" Hotel in Shkodër; double rooms with toilet and shower.

In the alpine area (1 night), in the farmers houses.

6. Transport:

Collective transport (minibus). It's about 100 km from Rinas Airport/Port of Durrës to Shkodër.

7. Guide:

Three guides after the language to be used.

8. Prices:

350 USD per person, including: double room with toilet and shower, food and drinks, payment for

the visits, the guide and the asicuration. For single rooms, 10 extra USD are needed.

9. Responsible agency

"Rozafa" Tourist Agency

Address: Hotel Rozafa, Rruga "Vasil Shanto", Shkodër.

Tel/Fax.: (+355) 224 3590, tel. (+355) 224 3767

Bank account no. Banka Kombëtare Tregtare, Nr. 4056/7102

Contact person: Luan Dervishi

PROGRAM

Day 1.

Arrival at Rinas Airport/Port of Durrës and transfer to Shkodër, at the "Rozafa" Hotel. First contact with place, a trip in the city. Historical and geographical presentation of the Region of Shkodra, using diapositives.

Day 2. Visit in the old capital of the Illyrian Kingdom of King Gent:

The Medieval Castle of Rozafa: fragment of illyric wall (400 BC). The legend of the immurement (of Rozafa). Surrounding walls of the roman period (IV cent.). The Museum of the Castle. The ruins of S. Stephan Church (XIII cent.), transformed after in Mosque.

The Church of the Lady of Shkodra, rebuilt three times. The first time was rebuilt before 1467.

The village Ajasëm, where Shkodra was founded first in the IV cent. BC

The Lead Mosque (1774).

Day 3. Discovering the cultural inheritage of two villages: Mes and Drisht.

Illyric graves. Fortificated dwelling of Kratul (II - I BC). The Mesi Bridge (XVIII cent.). The ruins of the Medieval Castle of Drisht.

Day 4. Discovering the culture of Shkodra.

The City Museum: archeological, etnographical and historical elements.

The House - Museum of Luigj Gurakuqi. Characteristic houses of the XVIII - XIX cent.

The Marubi Phototeque, owning more than 300.000 negatives, dating from 1858.

Handmade articles of silver, wood, copper, textile.

Day 5 & 6. Discovering the mountain area: rural ethnology.

Visit in the villages of the alpine area: Lëpushë, Vermosh (110 km)

Poor people but with a strong personality and very hospitable.

Characteristic houses of the "kulla" (fortress) type. Farm life. You can see the traditional costumes ( "xhubleta", "tirqe").You will also be presented with the old costumes, the rich folklore, handmade working (wood, wool). A wonderful nature.

Day 7. Cult and Culture.

Visits in the city. The Cathedral (XIX cent.), the Saverian College (XIX cent.), the Mosque, the Orthodox Church.

The university "Luigj Gurakuqi", the Library "Marin Barleti", the Theater "Migjeni".

Visits in the two villages along the shore of the lake, Shirokë and Zogaj, where fishing is an old tradition.

Day 8.

Departure from Shkodra to the Rinas Airport/Port of Durrës.

By the way: Visit in the city of Lezhë: Burying place of Scanderbeg (National Hero).

Visit in the city of Kruja: the Medieval Museum of Scanderbeg .