"armando2001's new Shkoder Page" a Shkoder Travel Page by armando2001

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Appart from being my hometown Shkodra is also one of the oldest Albanian cities. It is believed to have been foundet in the 4th century B.C. around the castle called "Rozafa". However recent escavations at the bottom of the castle walls have revealed tombs and buildings of a much earlier period.

The 3rd century B.C. was perhaps its most glorious period, when it became the capital of the kingdom of Illyria under king Gent and later his widow Teuta who was later defeated by the Romans in the three Illyro-Roman wars.

The city has also been one of the major trading places in the country throughout its long history. For its strategic trading position it was occupied for a period by the Venetians and it retained its trading importance throughout the Ottoman invasion. Being one of 4 Villayets(Highest administrative centre for Ottoman ruled territories) of the region is testimony to its importance as a trading centre. At one point its market counted more than 3500 shops, making it the biggest in the Ballkans and one of the biggest in Europe. Unfortunatelly this magnificent cultural monument was destroyed by the communist regime along with many others. All that remains are photos taken at the turn of the century a constant remainder of what we lost. Similar markets but of a much smaller scale still survive in Prizren, Kosovo and Kruja in central Albania.

Shkoder is situated in the northwest of Albania at the edge of the lake with the same name which is the largest lake of the Ballkan Penninsula. Apart from the lake near Shkodra meet two great rivers, Drin and Buna. Drin flows from the northeast while Buna starts from the lake and meets Drin just behind the castle. Both flow together and discharge their joint waters on the Adriatc which is only 35 km from the city itself. Close to their delta is situated the Adriatic resort of Velipoje with a fantastic sand beach but in desperate need of modern sustainable tourissm development.

The background of the city is enriched by the Albanian Alps seen in the distance that complete a magnificent landscape.