Vlorë, Albania

Hills of Horë-Vranisht in Vlorë, Albania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hills_Hor%C3%AB-Vranisht.jpg
Author: godo godaj


Vlorë is the second biggest port city in Albania after Durrës. The city is the site of the Albanian Declaration of Independence on 28 November, 1912. It also served for a short period as the capital of Albania. The city of Vlorë has a population of 94,000 people (2011 estimate). It observes the Central European Time, which is an hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1) and two hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time in summer.

Vlorë can also be written is Vlora while in the Gheg Albanian dialect it is known as Vlonë. The city was founded in the 6th century BC, and was an ancient Greek colony in the territory of Illyria. It is one of the oldest cities in the country, having been mentioned in ancient documents.

Vlorë was made an episcopal see in the 5th century, and was called Nazarius by the bishops at that time. In AD 733, it was annexed by the Ecumenical Patriachate of Constantinople. Then in 1345 it was captured by the Serbian Empire, and enjoyed a period as an independent principality until it was captured by the Ottomans in 1417.

Vlora Catholic Church, Albania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vlora_katholische_Kirche.jpg
Author: Decius


In 1912, Ismail Qemali declared Albania's independence from Vlorë. The city was made the first capital of the country, but was invaded and occupied by the Italians from 1914 to 1920. It was again occupied by the Italians between 1939, at the start of the Second World War, until 1944, when it was captured by the Nazis.

After the war, Vlorë came under Communist rule. During that time, Vlorë became a submarine base for the Soviet Union. However, in the 1960-61, there was a parting of ways between Enver Hoxha and Nikita Khrushchev, resulting in the Soviet Union cutting off economic, military and technical aid to Albania.

Vlorë was rocked by riots in 1997, stemming in part from the collapse of a fraudulent investment scheme.

Visiting Vlorë

From Tirana, you can drive to Vlorë in the direction of Tirana-Durrës-Kavaje-Rrogozhine-Lushnje-Fier-Vlorë. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Tirana that takes you in the same direction. You can also take a ferry from Bari in Italy.

Places of Interest in Vlorë

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