The attractive beauties of Gjinari
fut(o)urism
Gjinar the tourist area of Elbasan, is one of the most interesting sections of the magazine, where you discover the unknown Albania, this time we offer an area which more than anyone, is known from the locals, its inhabitants, due to deep location in the highlands of Elbasan. But from now on, you can learn about the beauty of Gjinari, Zavalina, Shpati, names which maybe you read here for the first time, but you can visit them closely, and to recognize the breach of this beautiful province in the heart of Albania. The description for this area, is made from a dedicated teacher, who knows every inch of the ground, and a passionate photographer who loves his country, until the smallest leaf . The region of Shpati lies at the southeast of Elbasan area. Part of this mountainous region, which starts from the Shelcan to Jeoronisht, is called Shpat and consists of two municipalities: Zavalina and Gjinari. Gjinar tourist area (Fushkuqe 24 ha) was declared as such by the This Ministry of was a piece Environof Shpati, which offers ment. generous, hospitable people, as Now elsewhere in Albania, beautiful its outdoor recreational Costumes, concolorful clothes, beautiful girls nection and smiley boys, and above all, to the asan unforgettable experience phalt road of journey ... to the city of Elbasan, of about 22 kilometers, makes it very functional and accessible for every tourist. Once while traveling in the village of Derstilë, you feel the characteristic aroma of the trees on the road, and after a few minutes appears the beautiful pine landscape, as far as approaching the center of the municipality, the more it is picturesque. Those that add beauty to the landscape are the squares (often shaped hole) 900 - 1000 m above sea level, which according to the Geographers, have been created millions of years of continuous sliding glaciers. On a beautiful sunny day (immediately after rain), you can see the clear sea rom the west of Sazani to Kavaja. Well, fresh iodized wind of the coast, come here and full of oxygen combine with the freshness of pine, creating fantastic curative value of all one who will stop here. Anyone coming here to try it just once, no need to extend the descriptions, because there are too many other mysteries to be discovered, that is left for surprises. But Shpati is not only a country with beautiful nature, and that heals. Here there are many objects with historical and cultural value, worth to visit during your trip. Shënkollit Church in Shelcan: Built in me62 maj 2011 62
dieval times and painted by Onufri 1554. There are painted on the wall (Stefan Popa: “Albanian medieval painters” 1961): Christ with three figures, etc. Meladhoj Romamoj. Shënepremtes Church in Valsh: It was built in medieval times and painted the whole wall sites (murals) by Onufri (1554) in the Byzantine style. According to Popa S. (1961) those are portraits of Platter (St. Mary), Saint Germanoi of Constantinople, Dhiakon Laureti, St. Gregory the Theologian, Kryedhiakon Stefani, Christ Picture of birth in the cave, etc.. Wall paintings in
Byzantine writings of that époque. Tomb of Constantine Shpataraku (Oga) in Valsh: Painter icon on the six churches in the Middle Albania, from 1736 until 1767. Some mentioned ones (S. Popa 1961) are: Healing the Islok icon of Christ, “Karl Topia and “Saint Mary”, etc.. Constantine was killed by Ottoman forces with cutting head, 100 m in west of Namazgja - Elbasan. His Cemeteries in secret are conserved by the compatriots of Shpati and since then until today they commemorate every year on September 21, while have declared him Saint. Derstila crafts.