Kavajë

Kavajë (/kɑːˈvaɪə/ ⓘ kah-VY-ə, Albanian definite form: Kavaja) is a city and municipality centrally located in the Western Lowlands region of Albania, in Tirana County.

However, relying on the findings of geological fragments and inscriptions, it appears that the origin of this settlement can be traced back to the first centuries BCE.

The famous Battle of Pharsalus between Julius Caesar and his archrival Pompey took place near Shkëmbi i Kavajës, at the time known as Petra.

The Skuraj family, as direct descendants of the dynasty that founded the Principality of Arbanon controlled the eastern part of Kavajë.

[8] Ottoman writer and traveler Evliya Çelebi describes Kavajë in this 1670 memoir:[9] "From here, we set off eastwards down the coastal plain of the bay, viewing well-developed, verdant villages to the left and right of the road and prosperous towered farm-estates, and in hours we reached the well-protected and mighty town of Kavaja.

Kavaja is a charming town on a broad, flat and fertile plain at the end of the bay projecting from the gulf, and is surrounded by gardens and vineyards.

It has 400 one- and two-storey terraced stonework houses with tiled roofs and embellished with delightful gardens, ponds and fountains.

Scottish diplomat David Urquhart describes his encounter upon arriving in Kavajë in this 1831 piece:[10] The next day, in the afternoon, I arrived at Cavalha [Kavaja], and on entering the place, which contains between two and three hundred Guegue families, I met Ibrahim Bey, the proprietor of this place and the surrounding country, accompanied by a troop of savage and picturesque looking horsemen; but they all fell short of the ferocious air of their leader – a man guilty of every crime, and stained with every vice, and detested alike by Turks and Christians.

The little creatures wear, in miniature, the formal dresses of their sires; and the delicate crimson of their cheeks is matched with that colour which supersedes every other in their costume.

[11] Funding for the project was made possible by the Near East Foundation who had commissioned New York based studio "Thompson & Churchill" in charge of the architectural design.

The names of Mihal Lekatari, Besim Kadiu and Shyqyri Myrto are placed on the list of the Righteous among the Nations honored by Yad Vashem.

In the succeeding months, the city's youth which at the time was forced by the regime to work in agriculture cooperatives, started distributing anti-communist leaflets at local shops, schools and villages nearby.

Enver Hoxha's portrait was torn apart at the city's main high school and at the SMT (Cars and Tractors Station).

Located just south of the Bay of Durrës, it is partially engulfed by two small river streams, Leshniqe to the west-northwest and Darçi to the west-southwest.

The following objects/places are declared natural monuments in this region by decree nr.767 dated 20 December 2002: Salt Springs of Golemas, Sulfurous Springs of Fliballie, Laurel of Turrë Castle, Coastal Cliffs of Bardhor, Carina Beach, Sea Fossils of Thartor, Aligned Rocks in Cikallesh, General's Beach, Karstic Caves in Mengaj Population density in urban areas was 285 inhabitants per km2 and in rural areas much less.

Since 1990, more than 25% of the total population in the district has migrated elsewhere, mainly to countries like: Italy, Greece, Great Britain, France, Germany, United States and Canada.

This marked a significant change in the city’s political trajectory, as Kavajë, traditionally dominated by PD, elected a left-wing leader.

Rroshi’s tenure as mayor ended when he resigned following the implementation of Albania’s “decriminalization law,” which aims to remove individuals with criminal records from public office.

His victory was seen as a significant political shift, with former Prime Minister Sali Berisha commending the citizens of Kavajë for what he termed the “liberation” of the city, referencing the anti-communist movements of the 1990s.

Fresh vegetables like: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumber, leek, cabbage, green beans, okra, spinach, carrots, etc.

The former District of Kavajë has established a public and a private school system which serves for the upbringing and education of the children and youth.

The health services provided by all health institutions include the following: Pathology, Pediatrics, Surgery, Cardiology, Infectious Disease Control, Neurology, Psychiatry, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Hematology, Endocrinology, Emergency Services, Allergology, Physio-Therapy, Pediatrics, Gynocology, Obstretics.. etc.

Among the most outstanding dancers and choreographers who have remained popular include: Zyhra and Gani Ferra, Remzi Gjeçi, Madrid Maliqati, Ibrahim Roçi, Gëzim Agolli, Arianit Boraku, Leonard Mitrushi, Esdalin Gorani, Myrteza Dimni and others.

Some of the most authentic lyrical songs from this region include: "Mun aty ke shtatë zymbylat", "Këndon gjeli pika-pika", "Kënga e gjemitarit", all believed to have been composed and sung by popular singers of the time like Pol Kanapari, Hasan Sakati, Zenel Kalushi and Islam Xhatufa.

Other popular singers include Thabit Rexha, Liri Rama, Desire Pezaku, Nysrete Hylviu and undoubtedly the greatest of them all Parashqevi Simaku.

The managing group which programmed the conceptual orientation and realisation of the museum was made up of the most reputable authorities of the time in the studies of ethnography.

Craft works composed in ceramic, copper and textiles from local craftsmen representing the city and the region are present for display.

The elements of the traditional costumes from these regions are distinguished for their level of mastery and finesse, for the richness of the ornaments and symbols merged into geometric, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic forms.

This raised speculations that it had been used as a propaganda piece all along by the local socialist party base, in effort to influence the upcoming general elections.

Throughout its history Besa has competed in international tournaments and friendlies against such clubs as Sarajevo, Odra Opole, Dynamo Berlin, Progresul, Veliko Tarnovo, Crvenka, Panionios, Fremad Amager, Hibernian, Pas Ioannina, Bezanija, Litex Lovech, Ethnikos Achnas, Grasshopper Zürich, Olympiacos.

Pencil drawing of a khan in Kavajë – by Edward Lear (October 11, 1848).
Jewish Families of Mandil, Azriel, Altarac, Ruchvarger and Borger in a group portrait. (Kavajë, 1 May 1942)
SMT – Machine and Tractors Station
Map of Kavajë Municipality as defined by the Territorial Administrative Reform of 2014. Source: ASIG
Golem beach promenade
This detailed high resolution vector map of the city streets in 2014 was created using satellite imagery data from Google Earth .
The General Regulatory Masterplan approved by the District Council in 1994.
Indoor market
City hospital was inaugurated in 2011
Portrait of two young women wearing traditional clothing (Marubi c.1920)
Ethnographic Museum
Old photograph of Kubelie Mosque with its columns built in 1735. The minaret gallery is missing due to the 1927 earthquake. (Richard Busch-Zantner, c.1939)
"Church of Saint Nicholas" reconstructed in 1997