Gramsh

This article is about the town in Gramsh district. For the settlement in Lezhë district, see Gramsh, Lezhë.
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
Population (2011)
 • Total 8,440
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal code 3301
Area code 0513
Car plates GR
Website www.bashkiagramsh.gov.al

Gramsh (in Albanian, also Gramshi) is a town in central Albania which borders the Pogradec District to the east.[1] The population at the 2011 census was 8,440.[2]

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.[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.[3]
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

References

  1. ↑ Albanian government budget legislation
  2. ↑ 2011 census results
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 HÜSNÜ YAZICI – Yazdiği Konular
  4. ↑ 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. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)