Vlora - Culture
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Vlora - Culture |
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Before World War II, Vlora had an oil production factory, a flour factory, a power plant and several artisan workshops. The town developed and expanded in the years after World War II. Today it is an industrial city, and an education center. Industries in Vlora include food, building materials, chemicals, and glass. High educational institutions in Vlora include the University of Vlora, the Naval Officers School, and the School of Aviation. The city has a professional theater, a cultural center, library, Museum of History, Museum of Ethnography, History of the Independence Movement Museum, etc. The city has mostly expanded towards the shore, wider streets were built and tall several story high buildings. The city's main street has been widened, it connects Sheshi i Flamurit (Flag Square) with the center of the city in the Pavar'sia (Independence) quarter. The street which enters the city from the north leads to the old bazaar. The Monument of Independence and the Monument of the Unknown Soldier are some of the monuments in Vlora. Vlora is also a tourist center, many hotels and recreational centers are found along the beaches of Vlora. In the town centre is the bronze monument of independence, unveiled in 1972. On a high irregular pillar of rock stands a figure of a standard bearer, while below are depicted distinguished figures of the movement of Albania's independence. It is a joint work of the sculptors, Kristaq Rama, Shaban Haderi and Muntaz Dhrami. In honour of the day of independence, the main square in Vlora is called - The Square of the Flag (Sheshi i Flamurit). The Museum of Independence reflects the stern struggle of the Albanian's for freedom and independence, the events that brought about the raising of the flag on the 28th November l912, when Albania was proclaimed an independent state. Vlora has a cement factory and the production of plastics, there is a cannery, whose products are used for export. The region of Vlora is rich in agricultural products, especially in fruits, olives and grapes, and in dairy products. Vlora is the seat of the Ismail Qemali University, founded in 1994, which replaced the school for Naval Officers. Students can study business administration, nursery, naval engineering and English language. © copyright 2000 - eurotravelling.net |
Vlora is located in
south-western Albania, on the coast of the Adriatic, the second major sea port after Durr's. In ancient times, Vlora was known as Aulona. Vlora is not only a major port, but of great historical importance, for it was here in 1912 that the Assembly was convened which first proclaimed Albania as an independent state and set up the first national government, headed by Ismail Qemali. In recognition of this, it was proclaimed a 'Hero City' in 1962. The Muradite Mosque (1538-42) was designed by the famous architect Mimar Sinan whose family originate in Albania. On a hill above the city is the tourist centre Liria which offers panoramic views of the beach and town.