Këlcyrë Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Këlcyrë

Municipality

Emblem

Këlcyrë

Location in Albania

Country

Albania

County

Gjirokastër

Area

• Municipality

304.86 km² (117.71 sq mi)

Elevation

176 m (577 ft)

Population

(2011)

• Municipality

6,113

• Municipality density

20.0518/km² (51.934/sq mi)

• Municipal unit

2,651

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal Code

6402

Area Code

(0)875

Këlcyrë (pronounced Kel-tsy-ruh) is a town and a municipality in southern Albania. It is located right on the bank of the Vjosë River. The town is known for the beautiful Këlcyrë Gorge, a canyon formed by the Vjosë River nearby.

In 2015, Këlcyrë became a larger municipality. It joined with the areas of Ballaban, Dishnicë, and Sukë. The town of Këlcyrë is the main center of this new, bigger municipality. In 2011, the total population of the municipality was 6,113 people.

Këlcyrë Municipality
What's in a Name?
A Look at Këlcyrë's History
Këlcyrë Today
Famous People from Këlcyrë
See also

Këlcyrë Municipality

The Këlcyrë municipality includes the main town and several villages. These villages are Fshat Këlcyrë, Sukë, Dishnicë, Mbrezhdan, Maleshovë, Limar, Toshkëz, Ballaban, Tolar, Çorrogunjë, Leskaj, and Kala.

One interesting fact is about the village of Maleshovë. It has three traditional neighborhoods. One neighborhood is mainly Christian, another is mainly Muslim, and the third has families from both religions living together.

What's in a Name?

The name Këlcyrë comes from an old word meaning "fortified pass." This word was used by the Romans and later by the Byzantines. They called forts at mountain passes Kleisoúrai. This word eventually spread to many languages in the Balkan region.

You can find similar names in other places. For example, there are towns called Klisura in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The name Këlcyrë was first recorded as Clausura in 1327. The nearby mountain pass is still called Klisura today.

A Look at Këlcyrë's History

Këlcyrë has a long and interesting history, especially because of its important location.

Ancient Times

During the Second Macedonian War, around 198 BC, the Macedonian army tried to stop the Romans here. They blocked the narrow pass near Këlcyrë. However, a local shepherd reportedly showed the Roman troops a secret path through the mountains. This allowed the Romans to attack the Macedonians from two sides. The Macedonians were defeated. After this, the Romans used this route and built a small settlement.

Medieval Period

To control this important passage, a castle was built in the 13th century. This castle helped protect the area. Later in the 13th century, Këlcyrë became part of the Kingdom of Albania. It was ruled by the powerful Muzaka family. Records show that Count Mentul Muzaka ruled the town in 1319.

In 1335, the local Albanian people rebelled against Byzantine rule. They successfully captured the town's fortress. Later, in 1432, Albanian rebels again took control of the town. They defeated and drove out the Ottoman forces from the area.

Later History

In the 19th century, the Ottomans built a large house called a seraglio in Këlcyrë. During this time, Këlcyrë became a very important trading center. It connected major cities like Berat, Korça, and Gjirokastra.

Këlcyrë also played a role in World War II. The capture of Klisura Pass was a big victory for the Greek Army. This happened between January 6 and 11, 1941, during the Greek-Italian War.

Këlcyrë Today

Today, the Kelcyre Castle is a popular place for tourists to visit. It is located very close to the town. The main road through the gorge connects Këlcyrë with Tepelenë and other parts of Albania. If you travel south, the road goes towards Përmet and then on to Greece.

There are also some very old Eastern Orthodox churches around Këlcyrë. These churches are important historical and religious sites.

View of the of Eastern Orthodox Church of Këlcyrë

Famous People from Këlcyrë

Ali Këlcyra – A well-known politician.
Sejfulla Malëshova – A famous writer and politician. He helped start the Albanian League of Writers and Artists in 1945.
Veli bej Këlcyra – He was one of the people who signed the Albanian Declaration of Independence. This was a very important document for Albania's freedom.

Këlcyrë facts for kids

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