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| News Albania Kosova Ilirida Epirus Valley of Morava Plava and Gucija Terror Human Rights Violation History Music Literature |
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| COURTESY OF ILIRIAPRESS |
| Falemnderit p�r vizit�n, dhe mir�sevini gjithmon�. |
| Thank you for visiting, and welcome again |
| K U K � S I |
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| News Albania Kosova Ilirida Epirus Valley of Morava Plava and Gucija Terror Human Rights Violation History Music Literature |
| High in the majestic mountains in the northern part of Albania at an altitude of 320m above sea level, the nobel peninsula city of Kuk�s stands as the northern shiny star in the sky. Located at 42.09�N, and 20.43�E, the city is the habitat of about 16,000 people. The entire population speaks fluently the native Albanian language. The city is only 97 km far from the capital Tirana. Kuk�s is a sprawling city in a state of long distances and mountainous obstacles. In a predominantly mountainous region marked with rolling hills and fertile valleys, Kuk�s never fail to impress visitors by their scope. |
| The town is set near the border with the Republic of Kosova. There is a mosque and a hotel in an alpine-style villa, which is maintained by the local government. There are several restaurants and bars that welcome everyone with variety of local delishes food specialties. Variety of marchendising shopps, and small manufacturing enterprises provide services for the citizens. Kuk�s has a carpet factory whose products are known in the domestic and foreign carpet industry. There is a copper processing factory near the city. Due to the mountain geological structure of the region which is rich in the existence of innumerable ores such as copper and chromium, the factory produces the best copper products in Balkans. The Highlanders in the region are well known for their agriculture and dairy products. The farms assist in the food industry which is mostly confined in production of Albanian cognac and brandy and fruit beverages. The Fierza Hydro power station provides enough electrical power to supply the entire region with electricity. The forestry industry and fishing is developed to certain degree. The town has a library and a local historical museum. The mountains are so wild and imposing, so incredible powerful playground for the developing tourism. The goat trails on the mountains are a dream for hikers and cyclists to tackle long distances and tough terrain. They are challenging trails and climbs. Hikers have immediate access to the magnificent mountains. The artificial lake provides perfect conditions for anglers and boaters. The city is a world of choices for adventure and challenge. Here one finds wonderful year-around recreation: fishing, hiking, boating, rafting, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking, snowmobiling, bird watching, and there's lots of wildlife to see! Abundant winter snowfall turns nearby mountain roads into adventurous snowmobile trails. And cross-country skiers can break tracks through the high-country meadows. Lodging and dining are sumptuous in the pine air, which makes food taste better and sound sleep natural. Your soul is restored. |
| The little mountain city is completely new, and it was built by the communist government during 1970� as part of a hydroelectric project. The project for building the new city started in 1962, and it ended in 1976. Kuk�s is completely new city . It was built during the 70's. The original town was catastrophically engulfed by the waters of the large artificial lake (area 72.5 km) formed to supply the Fierza Hydro power station. The old town of Kuk�s is submerged under waters of the lake, and it appears as a ghost town during the summer when the drought lowers the waters of the lake. Kuk�si i Ri or New Kuk�si looks like a peninsula surrounded by the artificial lake of Fierza, and it is linked with the other parts of the country by three bridges.The city on the east faces the snow capped peak of Gjalica which is 2468m above the sea level. It is important to mention the role of the city and the solidarity of the citizens with Kosova refugees during the Kosova crises in 1999. The little sparkling peninsula was on the world stage during the Kosovo conflict when many hundreds of thousands of Kosova refugees crossed the border and found safe haven. The refugees were housed in camps in and around Kuk�s. Many patriots from Kuk�s joined the Kosovo Liberation Army and fought well for the freedom of Kosova. In 2000, the city became the first city in the world to be nominated for the Nobel Peace prize. |
| Sited on high plains, Kuk�s has intercontinental clime with hot summers and cold winters. The winds are frequent in the region. However, there are no tornadoes reported. During the cold winter, the snow blizards are often in the region making difficult to travell. The scary dark cloud formation over the Vikut Mountains is a warning for violent gusts of wind. The summers are hot and dry. The mountains protect the city from the blasts of summer heat.
In the ancient time, the city was known as Kukeshi. The name itself has a meaning in the Albanian language. The name �Kukesh� is derived from two Albanian words "Ku� meaning where and �kesh"meaning have. The meaning of the name has to deal with where have you been. The Romans called it Kuksi. The Roman soldiers called it as a stopping point. The Ottoman Turks called the city Kukufic. According to Ottoman records, the traders that passed through called the city as Vau i Kukit. Nearby, the Ottoman stopping point and the small marked center still reminds the Ottoman Turkey in the city. During the Balkan wars, the city was known as Kukusa. |
| The city is known as a settlement since the ancient time. The first traces of ancient life found in the village of Kolshi near the town symbolize the activity of Illyrians in 2000BC. The Illyrian tombs were found in the village of K�neta near Kuk�si. Nearby, the remaining of small Roman stopping point on the brunch of Via Egnatia reminds the Roman time in the region. In this region, the Illyrian tribes of Dardhani or Dardani and Paiony lived. The ancient artifacts prove of active live in the region of Kuk�s. Although founded on the brunch of main line of �Via Egnatia,� the city is believed to have been more of a residence or palace for royalty, where ceremonies and astrological observations were done. Not far from the settlement, the ancient cities of Theranda (Prizren) and Onei (Tetova) were located. It is believed that it may have only been used by nobility on special occasions, but the other residents probably made the city their home. It's believed that men, women, children and priests resided in the city. The Illyrians left behind artifact representing an ancient mystery of intelligent civilization. The old city of Kuk�s featured Illyrian or native Albanian architecture combined with Islamic characteristics in a background of extreme beauty enhanced by snow-capped, mountains. Not only region of Kuk�s, but the entire Balkan Peninsula was inhabited by a native people who used same language, the Illyrian language or the Albanian language. The Illyrianology is considered the oldest discipline to study not only the ancient man, but also the start of the life. The Illyrians fortified themselves. Instead of putting locks and locking their doors, they built walls and surrounded themselves with fellow citizen for security. It is still eminent building walls around the houses among Albanians all over Albania. The houses still are fortified in the region of Kuk�s. The local villagers use similar or the same tools and methods as ancient Illyrians. If one could walk into a typical ancient Illyrian home, he or she would find many of the trappings of modern life, recognizable yet ancient. It seems the city existed since beginning of the time, and it was kept secret. |
| According to the Ottoman Turkish archives, the village of Kukesh was conquered in 1390 by the Ottoman Turkey during the period of Sultan Yildirim Bayezid. When the Ottoman Turkey arrived in Kuk�s, the Islam faith knocked on the door of the people of Kuk�s. After carefully studying the Albanians, the Ottomans revealed that the Albanian people are genuine, honest, courage and brave, heroic with war fighting capabilities, and trustworthy. Living with Albanians, the Ottomans learned a lot of things. Therefore, Albanians were priced of high virtue by Ottoman. It was priority for the Ottomans to create true bound and alliance with Albanians by making everything to convert Albanians to Muslim faith in which they succeeded. In 1571, the Ottoman Turks recorded 12 families or 12 houses to convert into Islam in the village of Kukefic. This number increased into 50 families or houses in 1661.
In 1912, the Ottoman Turkey capitulated. The Serbian forces and Russian forces attempted to conquer the town after perpetrating massacres all around. At Qafa e Kolosjanit near Kuk�s, the Albanians stopped the Serbians and other Slavic terrorists� invasion in 1912. The Albanian National Hero, Bajram Curri, issued the call to arms for Revolution and liberation of all Albanian territories in 1924 from the city of Kuk�s. The city of Kuk�s witnessed war and turmoil throughout of history. The Second World War found the town impoverished. Nevertheless, the Albanian National Head ruled the city. After the communist forces entered the city in 1945, the dark industrial era of Kuk�s begun. Until 1990, the communist forces were active. During this period, Kuk�s was built as industrial and mining center. The mountains were forested. Simply, the city found prosperity within the limits of communist policies and dictatorship. In 1990, the communist era ended. The democratic forces prevailed in the city of Kuk�s. The private owned businesses have flourished after the collapse of the communism. The people of Kuk�s are indigenous and autochthonous and aboriginal. People of Kuk�si are peasants that for centuries have valued the dignity of life in this region. Today, Kuksi provides public transport for the people. There are buses, mini buses, and taxis. If you have been dreaming of a home, ranch, or land in the mountains, you've just found what you're looking for; Kuk�si nestled in the heart of the picturesque Gjallica Mountain. Kuk�si is unspoiled and abounding in natural beauty. Spend hours exploring the numerous mountain trails or blaze new ones; you'll never exhaust the opportunities this area offers. Kuk�si has a wealth of natural beauty and takes pride in its strong sense of community. You will just adore it and enjoy the time you spend here more than anywhere else in the world. You will be relaxed and uplifted by your holiday in Kuk�s. It will be as close to perfection as you can get. Welcome to Kuksi. |
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