Peshkopi

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Peshkopi
Nation	Albania
Region	Dibër District
Language	Albanian
Latitude	41°40'58.45"N
Longitude	20º25'44.16"E
Elevation	2136 feet/651 metres
Population	14,100 habitants (2004)

Peshkopi (Albanian:Peshkopia, Macedonian: Пешкопеја) is a city in northeast Albania, in the district and county of Dibër, 187km from Tirana and 20km from the Macedonian Border. It is situated at 41°40'N and 20°25'. It sits 2136 feet (651 metres) above sea level. In the 2004 census, there were approximately 14100 residents.

Peshkopi lies on the eastern part of Albania, on either side of the Black Drini river. The Drini valley is the lowest part of the district. Mineral ores such as chromium, sulphur, marble have been discovered in this district. The thermal mineral water springs are situated in the vicinity of Peshkopi and have important medicinal values.

[edit] History

Peshkopi is derived from the Ancient Greek Episcopi or 'bishop's seat'. Which shows early signs of Christianity settling in the Balkans. Under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, Peshkopi was a small market town, shadowed over by the larger and more flamboyant Debar, which today lies just over the Macedonian border.

[edit] Places of Interest

The Museum, located beside the Ottoman-style houses. It's situated in a characteristic dwelling house. Here you will be introduced to an excellent collection of local costumes, carpets, kitchen equipment and filigree jewellery, as well as a number of models of local architecture.
The National Park
Llixhat, sulphur baths a few kilometers to the east of the city which attracts tourists looking for therapeutic treatment from all over the world.
Lura Lakes. Lura with its 7 glacial lakes are famous for their natural beauty. Lura mountain climbs up to a height 1600 - 1700 metres with magnificent beech trees and higher up conifers. The highest point, a bare peak called 'Kurora e Lures' (Lura's Crown) rises to 2112 metres, but most visitors will prefer to confine themselves to visiting the lakes which occupy glacial cirques at heights of between 1200 - 1500 metres or at best the four principle lakes, the 'Leqeni i Madh' (Great Lake), 'Leqeni i zi' (Black Lake), 'Leqeni i luleve' (Lake of Flowers), and 'Liqeni i Lopeve' (Cows' Lake).