Peqin

Peqin
Municipality
Seal
Peqin
Coordinates: 41°3′N 19°45′E / 41.050°N 19.750°ECoordinates: 41°3′N 19°45′E / 41.050°N 19.750°E
Country	Albania
County	Elbasan
Government
• Mayor	Saimir Hasalla (PJIU)
Area
• Municipality	197.79 km^2 (76.37 sq mi)
• Administrative Unit	17 km^2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation	48 m (157 ft)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	26,136
• Municipality density	130/km^2 (340/sq mi)
• Administrative Unit	6,353
• Administrative Unit density	370/km^2 (970/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal Code	3501
Area Code	0512
Vehicle registration	AL

Peqin (Albanian: Peqin, Peqini, in history named: Claudiana) is a town and municipality in Elbasan County, central Albania. The municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Gjoçaj, Karinë, Pajovë, Peqin, Përparim and Shezë, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Peqin.^[1] The total population is 26,136 (2011 census), in a total area of 197.79 km².^[2] The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 6,353.^[3]

History

The city dates back 2000 years, it is mentioned as Illyrian fortress.^[4] The ancient name of Peqin was Claudiana. The city's modern name derives from the Ottoman form Bekleyin, which means a place of hospitality. During Ottoman rule Peqin belonged to the Sanjak of Elbasan. The Ottoman Peqin Castle still exists, along with some original parts of the mosque of Abdurrahman Pasha, who had been the governor of Wallachia and Moldavia (former Bogdania). Peqin's football team, KS Shkumbini, plays in the Albanian superleague. KS Shkumbini is famous for its fans, called Besniket (faithful).

Notable people

• Abdurrahman Pasha, former governor of Wallachia and Moldavia within Ottoman Empire
• Bujar Cani, Football Player, National Team of Albania
• Ferdinand Deda, Music Director
• Murat Manahasa, Veterinary researcher and professor^[5]
• Mustafa Gjinishi, activist during National Liberation War
• Demir Godelli, communist leader, responsible of Comintern during WWII in Albania
• Hekuran Isai, post World War II communist politician
• Gugash Magani, Football Player, Football Manager
• Rifat Teqja, Music Director

See also

• Clock Mosque

References

1. Law nr. 115/2014
2. Interactive map administrative territorial reform
3. 2011 census results
4. http://www.blue-albania.com/GeneralInfo15-Peqini.htm
5. Presidenti Topi ngushellon familjaret e Profesor Murat Manahases (in Albanian)