Libohovë

Libohovë
Municipality
Seal
Libohovë
Coordinates: 40°2′N 20°16′E / 40.033°N 20.267°ECoordinates: 40°2′N 20°16′E / 40.033°N 20.267°E
Country	Albania
County	Gjirokastër
Government
• Mayor	Luiza Mandi (SP)
Area
• Municipality	248.24 km^2 (95.85 sq mi)
Elevation	408 m (1,339 ft)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	3,667
• Municipality density	15/km^2 (38/sq mi)
• Administrative unit	1,992
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	6003
Area code	0881
Vehicle registration	GJ

Libohovë is a town and a municipality in southern Albania. Libohovë is dominated by an impressive fortress, Libohovë Castle. In addition it has a pleasant and leafy main street with extensive views looking west across the Drino valley. To reach the town travel approximately 15 km south from Gjirokastra, take the sign-posted road to the east across the valley; this takes one directly to the town. Libohovë is nestled at the foot of the Bureto Mountain. The region forms also part of the Zagori Regional Nature Park^[1] located in Zagori region.

The municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Libohovë, Qendër Libohovë and Zagori, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Libohovë.^[2] The total population is 3,667 (2011 census), in a total area of 248.24 km².^[3] The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 1,992.^[4]

History

The archaeological evidence indicates a very ancient settlement which reached its zenith in the 17th-century. It is the home of a well-known Albanian noble family who share their name with the town. Prior to the communist era they held considerably sway over the country’s politics.The castle is a substantial fortress with four polygonal corner towers and a curtain wall surrounding a wide courtyard. The sister of Ali Pasha of Tepelenë, Shanica, married one of the most important members of the Libohovë family and the castle was the dowry that Ali Pasha presented to her. It is possible to visit the grave of Ali Pasha’s sister; you will need to ask in the town for directions.In the town centre is a beautiful old plane tree around which a bar-restaurant has been built providing a very pleasant place for refreshments. Also in the centre is the house of Myfit Bey Libohovë (1876–1927), a renowned politician, the first Minister of Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs serving on the new Albanian Government of 1912. The building can be easily identified as it is bigger and rather more impressive than the rest of the neighbourhood.

Places of interest

• Libohovë Castle is one of the most visited places in city.
• Myfit Bej Libohova House in center of city is an other place of interest.
• The famous "Plane of Libohove" is one of the biggest places of interest situated in center of city.
• The Center Boulevard is an other place of interes which is all covered with Plane Shadows and a lot of coffee bar's.
• The "Neighborhood of Bejler's" one of the highest and rich family in Albania.

Notable people

• Vasileios of Dryinoupolis (1858–1936) Minister of Justice and Religion of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, from Labova e Kryqit.
• Myfit Libohova Albanian government member on nine occasions from 1912 until his death in 1927, holding the positions of Justice Minister, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also the founder of the Bank of Albania, the national bank.
• Servet Libohova, mayor of Tiranë.
• Abedin Nepravishta twice former mayor of Tirana, Albania, during 1933-1935 and 1937–1939
• Avni Rustemi leftist freedom fighter of the 20's.
• Moikom Zeqo, former Minister of Culture, Writer.
• Hysen Çobani, (1932-2015), Professor in the field of agriculture, awarded Great Master of Work (one of the highest award for civilians in Albania) in November 2002.

References

1. http://www.ata.gov.al/parku-natyror-i-zagorise-me-nje-plan-menaxhimi-te-avancuar-344226.html
2. Law nr. 115/2014
3. Interactive map administrative territorial reform
4. 2011 census results