Gramsh
| Gramsh | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | |
 | |
  Gramsh | |
| Coordinates: 40°52′N 20°11′E / 40.867°N 20.183°ECoordinates: 40°52′N 20°11′E / 40.867°N 20.183°E | |
| Country |
 Albania |
| County | Elbasan County |
| District | Gramsh District |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 10,477 |
| Time zone | Central European Time (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 3301 |
| Area code(s) | 0513 |
| Car Plates | GR |
| Website | http://www.bashkiagramsh.gov.al |
Gramsh (in Albanian, also Gramshi) is a town in central Albania, and the capital of the Gramsh District, which borders the Pogradec District to the east. Its population was estimated at 11,556 in 2005.[1]
The town is connected with Elbasan, Korça, Pogradec, Skrapar District, Librazhd and Berat. The town is crossed by the river Devoll.
Etymology
During the Ottoman period and before the Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912, it was known as Grameç in Turkish.[2] The town was named after the Arberesh family of the Italian Communist Party leader and Marxist theoretician, Antonio Gramsci.[3]
History
Gramsh has been inhabited since ancient times, as is confirmed by archaeological findings in the Tumulus of Cëruja.
In the Middle Ages, the area was under the possession of Prince George Arianiti. During Ottoman rule, it was a kaza administrative division within the Sanjak of Elbasan of the Monastir Vilayet.[2]
From 1912 until 1947, this was the center of Gramsh area. With the new administrative division, it became the center of Gramsh district, in which were placed various state institutions. Gramsh was declared a city on July 10, 1960. Since 1965, it has been a municipality.
Economy
The city was home of one of the main military weaponry factories during the communist era. Devolli Hydro Power started in 1980, but was left between work due to the death of communist leader Enver Hoxha, and the beginning of a Transitional period until the 1990s that culminated in the overthrow of that system.
On October 2013, it was reported that the municipality debt was high and the municipality was close to bankruptcy.[4]
Sports
The football (soccer) club is KF Gramshi.
Notable people
- Architect Kasemi, famous architect of the 16th century
- Ismail Qemali Gramshi, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence
References
- ↑ Albanian government budget legislation
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 HÜSNÜ YAZICI – Yazdiği Konular
- ↑ Dante L. Germino, Antonio Gramsci: Architect of a New Politics, Louisiana Press University 1990, page 157, ISBN 0-8071-1553-3
- ↑ GRAMSH, BASHKIA 800 mln BORXHE [Gramsh, the municipality in debt of 800 mill LEK] (YouTube) (in Albanian). Skampa TV. 9 Oct 2013. Retrieved 9.11.13.
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