Gjidirokastra - History
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Gjidirokastra - History |
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Gjirokastra gained its role as an important center during the 17th century, and it prospered during the years 1800-1830, when new houses were built, with high architectural and artistic value. The Pazari i Vjet'r(Old Bazaar) and Hazmurat quarters, located on two crests parallel to each other, are the places where the characteristic Gjirokastra houses were built the most. The present bazaar, at the center of the town, was first built in the 17th century. It was set ablaze in the 19th century and was rebuilt with carved stone to match the houses surrounding it. © copyright 2000 - eurotravelling.net |
Traces of old settlements date back to the first century B.C. Because of its favorable position, protected by the high hills and crossed by major routes that lead to the inner parts of the country in the north and the Ionian Sea in the west, it was turned into a castle (The Castle of Gjirokastra), which became the nucleus for its growth. In the 1st century A.D; it became an urban centre by the thirteenth century. Gjirokastra is mentioned for the first time in a document of 1336, under the name of Argyropolihne (the township of Argyro), derived, according to the legend from a princess, Argyro, who
committed suicide from a tower to avoid falling into the hands of the invaders. Its appearance as a city began in the 13th century, and it is mentioned in Byzantine writings as Argyropolihne (the city of Argyro). Around this year is when buildings began to emerge on the hills surrounding the castle walls. It became part of the Despotate of Epirus, and in the 14th century it was the center of the Albanian feudal family Zenebish'. The Ottoman Turks took the city in 1417. Due to its awkward position under Ottoman rule, the city had only 163 buildings in 1432. It began to prosper in the 16th century, when it became the center of the Sanjak of Delvina.
Gjirokastra had been under the Byzantine dominion until the late 14th century, when it passed under the control of the Albanian feudal prince Zanebisha. In the year 1432, Gjirokastra was captured by the Ottoman Turks. At this time Gjirokastra became the seat of the local Albanian feudal lords. In 1811, Ali Pasha Tepelena, after bombarding the fortress with artillery, forced the town to capitulate. Later on, Gjirokastra, was to play an important role as the cradle of the patriotic movement of the Albanian's for freedom and independence. In 1908, the Albanian detachment led by Ceciz Topulli, inflicted heavy casualties on the Ottoman troops. In 1940 -1941, during the Greek - Italian war, Gjirokastra became, once more a battlefield.