Vranisht Village

Vranisht

the divine stone & overcast sky

First Impressions 2

HORA Vranisht , is an Illyrian center of Epirus - once known as “white stone “ synonymous with “ good stone “ or “ divine stone “ ...That is where “ Sofra* of God “ or “Stone in Heaven “ is found. (*Sofra- low round table made of mahogany timber) Vranisht is located on what is essentially the backside slope of Mount Çika: the peak that looms above the top of Llogara Pass like an impossible addition to an already impossible height. Vranisht is one of the few villages set on the eastern slope of the valley. It is a shorter walk to the sea, but it feels worlds away because the shadows fall there early. Like Gjirokastra, Vranisht spends the ends of each of its days looking at the fading sunlight on the hill across the valley, long after its own buildings are dark and need electric light. To face east means to be in a different world. But to be in a different world suits Vranisht very well. The village is home to a mysterious cult monument, possibly the only artifact of its kind in the entire Balkans, which sits quietly today, though it casts a certain feeling of real age, and perhaps even mysticism onto this tiny village.

Vranisht occupies an interesting edge in Labëria as it is so far removed from the sea, and of the culture the sea has given rise to after communism. In some sense, Vranisht remains incredibly Albanian. One continues to feel there the isolation and control of communism that was imposed on an already desolate place. Now, as it is left bare with nothing to do and nowhere to turn, Vranisht, like many of the villages in this valley, represents a kind of pure Albanian village disconnected to the pink drinks and pounding bass of the globalized culture that is so rampant just on the other side of Mount Çika.

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First Impressions 2

HORA Vranisht , is an Illyrian center of Epirus - once known as “white stone “ synonymous with “ good stone “ or “ divine stone “ ...That is where “ Sofra* of God “ or “Stone in Heaven “ is found. (*Sofra- low round table made of mahogany timber) Vranisht is located on what is essentially the backside slope of Mount Çika: the peak that looms above the top of Llogara Pass like an impossible addition to an already impossible height. Vranisht is one of the few villages set on the eastern slope of the valley. It is a shorter walk to the sea, but it feels worlds away because the shadows fall there early. Like Gjirokastra, Vranisht spends the ends of each of its days looking at the fading sunlight on the hill across the valley, long after its own buildings are dark and need electric light. To face east means to be in a different world. But to be in a different world suits Vranisht very well. The village is home to a mysterious cult monument, possibly the only artifact of its kind in the entire Balkans, which sits quietly today, though it casts a certain feeling of real age, and perhaps even mysticism onto this tiny village.

Vranisht occupies an interesting edge in Labëria as it is so far removed from the sea, and of the culture the sea has given rise to after communism. In some sense, Vranisht remains incredibly Albanian. One continues to feel there the isolation and control of communism that was imposed on an already desolate place. Now, as it is left bare with nothing to do and nowhere to turn, Vranisht, like many of the villages in this valley, represents a kind of pure Albanian village disconnected to the pink drinks and pounding bass of the globalized culture that is so rampant just on the other side of Mount Çika.

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The people - economic activity

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The locals in the past were mainly involved in agriculture and animal husbandry, as the natural and climatic conditions are favorable for grazing cattle and herds of small livestock. Wheat and corn has been cultivated and continues to be cultivated, as well as fruit trees such as figs, apples, pears, and grapes.

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The people - economic activity

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The locals in the past were mainly involved in agriculture and animal husbandry, as the natural and climatic conditions are favorable for grazing cattle and herds of small livestock. Wheat and corn has been cultivated and continues to be cultivated, as well as fruit trees such as figs, apples, pears, and grapes.

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The people - the history 6

Local residents of Vranisht consider themselves to be indigenous, with roots dating back many centuries. The roman historian Titus Livy (64 or 59 BC – AD 17) in his book “The Illyrians and Illyria”, ancient authors, vol.1, pg.131 states mentions “Horreas”, that is presumed to be the current Hore-Vranisht.

Yet, the first document written (known with certainty) about this settlement is the Ottoman Cadastral Register of early the fifteenth century. More specifically, the Ottoman Cadastre in 1413 in Vranista (as was called Vranisht at the time) evidences only sixteen families registered—large, medieval, patriarchal families.

Loom weaving is a well-known tradition of the village, especially woolen handicrafts. Historically, local people have been noted for their military aptitude and contributions in uprisings for freedom and independence—including the Norman and Azhuine invasions, as well as in the resistance and in antiOttoman wars.

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The people - the history 6

Local residents of Vranisht consider themselves to be indigenous, with roots dating back many centuries. The roman historian Titus Livy (64 or 59 BC – AD 17) in his book “The Illyrians and Illyria”, ancient authors, vol.1, pg.131 states mentions “Horreas”, that is presumed to be the current Hore-Vranisht.

Yet, the first document written (known with certainty) about this settlement is the Ottoman Cadastral Register of early the fifteenth century. More specifically, the Ottoman Cadastre in 1413 in Vranista (as was called Vranisht at the time) evidences only sixteen families registered—large, medieval, patriarchal families.

Loom weaving is a well-known tradition of the village, especially woolen handicrafts. Historically, local people have been noted for their military aptitude and contributions in uprisings for freedom and independence—including the Norman and Azhuine invasions, as well as in the resistance and in antiOttoman wars.

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The roots - the history 8

The etymology of the name Vranisht seems to be associated with the ancient Illyrian word vrane, or overcast sky (urana), and with a god of the ancient Illyrians, who was the god of the sky, of the weather, of the overcast. In a document from 1274, the settlement is mentioned by the name Uranishta.

In antiquity this settlement was included within the territories of Kaonia. Not far from the present-day village, sit the ruins of an ancient settlement called Hora of Vranisht. Hora is the abbreviation of the name Horea, meaning inhabited settlement, village, town.

The linguistic root of the word Horea is of ancient origin (pellazge) and means “beautiful, impressive, magnificent place”. The ruins include preserved fragments of surrounding walls, the remnants of a ruined aqueduct that furnished the city with water in the Lake of Hora, Liqeni i Horës.

At 700 m height of the mountainside is found a rocky limestone conglomerate massif known as “Urban Stone,” Guri i Qytetit. (differently known as the divine stone).

Hora of Vranisht on the flat field and the Urban Stone up in the mountain, present a magnificent historical settlement symbiosis.

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The roots - the history 8

The etymology of the name Vranisht seems to be associated with the ancient Illyrian word vrane, or overcast sky (urana), and with a god of the ancient Illyrians, who was the god of the sky, of the weather, of the overcast. In a document from 1274, the settlement is mentioned by the name Uranishta.

In antiquity this settlement was included within the territories of Kaonia. Not far from the present-day village, sit the ruins of an ancient settlement called Hora of Vranisht. Hora is the abbreviation of the name Horea, meaning inhabited settlement, village, town.

The linguistic root of the word Horea is of ancient origin (pellazge) and means “beautiful, impressive, magnificent place”. The ruins include preserved fragments of surrounding walls, the remnants of a ruined aqueduct that furnished the city with water in the Lake of Hora, Liqeni i Horës.

At 700 m height of the mountainside is found a rocky limestone conglomerate massif known as “Urban Stone,” Guri i Qytetit. (differently known as the divine stone).

Hora of Vranisht on the flat field and the Urban Stone up in the mountain, present a magnificent historical settlement symbiosis.

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the legend of HORA Vranisht & the Stone in Heaven

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Hora of Vranisht on the flat field and the Urban (divine) Stone up in the mountain, present a magnificent historical symbiosis.

According to the legend, when the castle of Horea down in the field was surrounded and besieged by the enemies, the people would make use of an underground tunnel that offered exit on the edge of Kauri Valley (by a stone mill) and would find shelter and protection up in the Urban (Divine) Stone.

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the legend of HORA Vranisht & the Stone in Heaven

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Hora of Vranisht on the flat field and the Urban (divine) Stone up in the mountain, present a magnificent historical symbiosis.

According to the legend, when the castle of Horea down in the field was surrounded and besieged by the enemies, the people would make use of an underground tunnel that offered exit on the edge of Kauri Valley (by a stone mill) and would find shelter and protection up in the Urban (Divine) Stone.

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The setting - Urban fabric

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Nowadays Vranisht is located in the southwest region of Vlora. To the east it is bordered by Kallarat; to the south, over the mountain range, is the village of Vuno. On the west side it is bordered by the village of TÍrbaç and on the north side by the village of Bolena.

The territory where the residents of Vranisht live is located in the river valley of Shushica, mostly on the left side of its flow.

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The setting - Urban fabric

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Nowadays Vranisht is located in the southwest region of Vlora. To the east it is bordered by Kallarat; to the south, over the mountain range, is the village of Vuno. On the west side it is bordered by the village of TÍrbaç and on the north side by the village of Bolena.

The territory where the residents of Vranisht live is located in the river valley of Shushica, mostly on the left side of its flow.

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The setting - architecture

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The houses of this mountainous village preserve the building characteristics of the area. The dwellings are built with domestic stones and roofs are mostly covered with stone slabs and with roof tiles as well.

Hospitality and generosity have been and are still wellknown characteristics of the inhabitants of this village.

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The setting - architecture

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The houses of this mountainous village preserve the building characteristics of the area. The dwellings are built with domestic stones and roofs are mostly covered with stone slabs and with roof tiles as well.

Hospitality and generosity have been and are still wellknown characteristics of the inhabitants of this village.

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The architecture OF LIVING - FRONT YARDS DESIGNE

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Looking through the semi-transparent fence, you can see a front garden which is cultivated, full of fruit trees that do not only offer tasty fruits but shade and shadow during hot summer days, as well. The house fence is usually made of a combination of materials: masonry (stone wall) and metal, including the outer door, which is sometimes a piece of craftsmanship.

The fence is high enough to prevent any ‘intrusion�, create privacy and intimate atmosphere, but low enough to allow and invite for visual communication.

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The architecture OF LIVING - FRONT YARDS DESIGNE

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Looking through the semi-transparent fence, you can see a front garden which is cultivated, full of fruit trees that do not only offer tasty fruits but shade and shadow during hot summer days, as well. The house fence is usually made of a combination of materials: masonry (stone wall) and metal, including the outer door, which is sometimes a piece of craftsmanship.

The fence is high enough to prevent any ‘intrusion�, create privacy and intimate atmosphere, but low enough to allow and invite for visual communication.

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the Castle - Hora of Vranisht

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The castle of Vranisht is known in the area as „Hora of Vranisht“. It is built on a plain terrain and its layout has a pentagonal shape. It used to be as a garrison to strategically control important route of hinterland.

Referring to the construction technique it belongs to the early phase of ottoman invasion. The most probable time of the castle is the period of Sultan Suleiman campaign in 1537. Dimensions of the castle of Vranisht are 48 × 40 m. Southern wall of the castle is well preserved, which from the outside reaches the height of 1.5 m. Castle of Vranisht is mostly ruined.

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the Castle - Hora of Vranisht

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The castle of Vranisht is known in the area as „Hora of Vranisht“. It is built on a plain terrain and its layout has a pentagonal shape. It used to be as a garrison to strategically control important route of hinterland.

Referring to the construction technique it belongs to the early phase of ottoman invasion. The most probable time of the castle is the period of Sultan Suleiman campaign in 1537. Dimensions of the castle of Vranisht are 48 × 40 m. Southern wall of the castle is well preserved, which from the outside reaches the height of 1.5 m. Castle of Vranisht is mostly ruined.

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Stone in Heaven - Guri në Qiell

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There is a giant stone at the top of the mountain of Mesimeri, which weighs many tons, and is set horizontally and stands on two other stones set vertically in shape of the Greek letter π. Natives refer to it as the “Stone in Heaven,” and researchers estimate it to be a dolmen—early prehistoric, and related in form to Stonehenge and other sites throughout Europe. It has been a cult object of worship for the ancient inhabitants of these areas.

To date, the dolmen of Vranisht is estimated to be the only one in Albania and perhaps in the entire Balkans.

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Stone in Heaven - Guri në Qiell

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There is a giant stone at the top of the mountain of Mesimeri, which weighs many tons, and is set horizontally and stands on two other stones set vertically in shape of the Greek letter π. Natives refer to it as the “Stone in Heaven,” and researchers estimate it to be a dolmen—early prehistoric, and related in form to Stonehenge and other sites throughout Europe. It has been a cult object of worship for the ancient inhabitants of these areas.

To date, the dolmen of Vranisht is estimated to be the only one in Albania and perhaps in the entire Balkans.

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the aqueduct of Vranisht

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Close to Vranisht is an aqueduct in two parts: the first bridge features an arch and the second bridge is atop six arches and five relief windows. It was built in the period of Ali PashĂŤ Tepelena (the beginning of the eighteenth century) and is known for its construction values, likely built by local masters. During the flooding of 2009 a part of it was destroyed.

Plan and elevation drawing of the aqueduct.

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the aqueduct of Vranisht

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Close to Vranisht is an aqueduct in two parts: the first bridge features an arch and the second bridge is atop six arches and five relief windows. It was built in the period of Ali PashĂŤ Tepelena (the beginning of the eighteenth century) and is known for its construction values, likely built by local masters. During the flooding of 2009 a part of it was destroyed.

Plan and elevation drawing of the aqueduct.

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the history - the memorials

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Similar to most of the villages down in the southern coastal region and well as the Shushica River valley villages of Kallarat, BolenÍ, Kuç, etc, Vranisht has been part of wars of resistance, during the 19th and 20th century. During World War II, Vranisht also participated in the Antifascist Resistance and ranked among the partisan formations, rendering a special contribution to the liberation of the country.

The landscape is marked with memorials of heroes.

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the history - the memorials

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Similar to most of the villages down in the southern coastal region and well as the Shushica River valley villages of Kallarat, BolenÍ, Kuç, etc, Vranisht has been part of wars of resistance, during the 19th and 20th century. During World War II, Vranisht also participated in the Antifascist Resistance and ranked among the partisan formations, rendering a special contribution to the liberation of the country.

The landscape is marked with memorials of heroes.

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FACTS & figures 28

In 1430s - there were sixteen houses at Vranisht During 19th century there were 350 houses and 1600 people living in Vranisht.

During the 1990s the population of Vranisht diminished in number due to emigration, and there are less than 600 people nowadays.

But it is important to mention that there is quite a considerable number of guest houses in HoreVranisht (4) and Vranisht (8) compared to other villages in the proximity, showing the willingness of people to deal with sustainable tourism activities.

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FACTS & figures 28

In 1430s - there were sixteen houses at Vranisht During 19th century there were 350 houses and 1600 people living in Vranisht.

During the 1990s the population of Vranisht diminished in number due to emigration, and there are less than 600 people nowadays.

But it is important to mention that there is quite a considerable number of guest houses in HoreVranisht (4) and Vranisht (8) compared to other villages in the proximity, showing the willingness of people to deal with sustainable tourism activities.

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Imprint

Published by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany ‘Integrated Sustainable Development of the Southern Coastal Region‘ Rr. “Skenderbej” 21/1 T +355 42 230 414 www.giz.de/en/worldwide/294.html February 2016 Printed by Gent Grafik Address: L.Ali Demi, Rr. Idriz Dollaku., Tiranë – Albania www.gentgrafik.al

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Design and layout PIK Creative Address: Rr. Pjetër Bogdani, nr. 37, Tiranë - Albania www.pik.al Photo credits Armand Habazaj unless otherwise stated Copyright with GIZ Text Irakli Koçollari GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Alternatively: German Federal Foreign Office To get more information about Albania please visit: www.albania.al

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Imprint

Published by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany ‘Integrated Sustainable Development of the Southern Coastal Region‘ Rr. “Skenderbej” 21/1 T +355 42 230 414 www.giz.de/en/worldwide/294.html February 2016 Printed by Gent Grafik Address: L.Ali Demi, Rr. Idriz Dollaku., Tiranë – Albania www.gentgrafik.al

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Design and layout PIK Creative Address: Rr. Pjetër Bogdani, nr. 37, Tiranë - Albania www.pik.al Photo credits Armand Habazaj unless otherwise stated Copyright with GIZ Text Irakli Koçollari GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Alternatively: German Federal Foreign Office To get more information about Albania please visit: www.albania.al

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