Vešala

Vešala (In Albanian: Veshallë, In Macedonian: Вeшaлa) A small village in the Šar Mountains. It is 11.9 kilometres away from its closest city Tetovo and 1247 metres above sea level.

History

Vešala is home to some of the oldest Albanian clans within the Šar Mountains. Unlike many other Albanian Highland villages, Vešala was not an isolated village due to it being part of the old Prizren trade route. The Albanians of Vešala have a strong link with the village. Many of the Albanians in Vešala moved out and prospered under the Ottoman Empire, but would always return to Vešala. This was a strong custom in Vešala as the Albanians were bounded to the village of their ancestor and could never permanently leave their home. This custom also strengthened their ties with Albanian nationalism. During WWI, Serbian Royalists began invading Albania to seize the coast line. After their failure to seize the coast, the Royalists began to retreat. A battalion of 37 Royalist were walking towards Vešala. Since the Royalist had burned many other Albanian villages, the Albanians of Vešala, seeing the Royalists approaching from the bottom of the mountain, ambushed them. After tying them up, The Royalist were pushed off the cliff of the Šar Mountains and plunged to their deaths.

Today

The village of Vešala has about 280 houses with 2500 inhabitants. Many of the families from Vešala live in Switzerland and Germany. However, like their ancestors, many of them return to Vešala during the summer.