WELCOME TO MIRDITA
Mirdita is known differently as the bajrak of captains (leaders). I Father Gjergj Fishta wrote in "Highland Lute" :
That's it, Fairy, that's the Captain,
Captain from Mirdite,
For whom it is far spoken,
Far is spoken, far is told
Black and white to be grafted..."
Father Gjergj Fishta "Highland Lute"
Mirdita is a region of northern Albania, with an area of 865 km2 and a population of 37 thousand inhabitants (according to the 2017 census), whose territory is synonymous with the historical Albanian tribe of the same name.
The name Mirdita derives from a legendary ancestor called "Mir Diti" from which the tribe claims descent. Another popular etymology connects the word with the Albanian greeting "mirëdita" which means greeting "good day".
The district of Mirdita consists of a municipality and 6 administrative centers (Rubik, Fan, Kacinar, Kthella, Orosh and Selitë). Rresheni is the administrative center of the municipality. Part of the Lezhë District, it is bordered by Puka, Mati, Dibra and Lezha.
MIRDITA ONCE UPON A TIME.....
In the 19th century, Mirdita was an autonomous province that united 12 Bajraks, which included 83 villages, 2,400 houses and about 25,000 inhabitants. According to history, Mirdita is the largest and freest Albanian province, which has never paid taxes to the Ottoman administration. There are many citations about Mirdita and Mirdita by various scholars.
In the French magazine "L'Illustrateur des Dames", in the issue of September 27, 1863, it is said, among other things:
"The Mirditors constitute one of those unbroken tribes found in Northern Albania. Closed within an impenetrable territory, surrounded by high mountains, they constitute a kind of principality, the origin of which is unknown. Their population, consisting of about twenty-one thousand inhabitants, recognize as their leader a warrior who bears the title of prince. Very strict and fanatical about the freedom they enjoy, they rigorously close the paths to any outsider who dares to penetrate their mountains. Who are they these people? According to a local tradition, they are the descendants of a large tribe, called Dukagjinet, who fought bravely on the side of Skanderbeg the Great in the years 1439 to 1463. It is accepted that of all the peoples that make up the great Albanian tribe , the Mirditors are the bravest and most religiously fanatical. They have the movement of a cat, combined with the muscular power of a tiger. Their way of entering battle is such that they always calculate their every move precisely. And if they have to retreat, they do so with their backs turned, without stopping fire. And Turkey rightly sees them as the best and most dangerous fighters! The High Gate never wanted to go to war against these mountaineers, against whom it knew it could not win...".
The Austrian-German researcher Ami Bue (1794-1881) has defined the Mirdites as follows: "After the capture of Kruja (1478) by Muhammad II and after the fall of Shkodra in 1479, only Mirdita remained heroically unsubdued."
Alexandre Dregrand (French diplomat, scientist, consul in Shkodër at the end of the 19th century), in the book "Memories from Northern Albania", published in Paris in 1901, writes, among other things: "We find black herons in many the Albanian province in men's clothing, while only in Mirdita, women wear the khurda and the black scarf, as a sign of mourning for Gjergj Kastrioti..."
Peter Blumeyer: "Mirditas are independent, proud, honest and brave people, and especially very hospitable"
WHEN TRAVELING TO MIRDITA
Organizing your trip
A day trip to the Mirdita region does not require special preparation. We suggest that you carry suitable shoes in your luggage for walking in the hills and surroundings of Mirdita. Collecting medicinal plants along the way is a unique experience, so a paper or cloth bag would be necessary.
Best timing to visit Mirdita
Summer is the warmest, but also the driest season. In the city, the average temperature in recent years exceeds 27 degrees C, although on certain days the thermometer exceeds 30 degrees C. There are certain areas such as Old Village (Katundi i Vjeter), Orosh, Kodër Spaç where the tempreatures are cooler. There are some moments that are considered among the most suitable to visit Mirdita, and in particular, during the spring season during April and May, when the temperatures are satisfactory to carry out the itineraries that we propose. Autumn is also a wonderful period (September-October- mid November) and can be considered since many fruit crops and autumn colors invite you to enjoy everything.
Financial and Banking services
The Albanian currency is Lek. Lek can be exchanged in banks which are open from Monday to Friday (08:00-15:30). There are also currency exchange units in the city. Euros are accepted in most shops, hotels and restaurants. It is suggested that in villages it is better to have Lek with you.
Electricity and other necessities
The electricity is 220 volts. The plugs are in European standards and do not need adapters.
Water and Healthcare
Tap water is fine, but it is more advisable, though not essential, to drink bottled water. In certain places (eg Eco Hotel Marubi), very high quality spring water is available).
In every administrative unit there is a health center as well as a hospital in the town of Rreshen.
Transportation - How to reach Rrëshen
Public transport by bus:
Departure from Tirana (North and South Bus Terminal, Kamëz turn). Hours: 06:00; 07:30; 09:00; 10:30; 11:00; 12:00; 13:00; 14:00; 15:00; 16:00; 17:00; 18:00.
The trip lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Refer to etransport.al for updated information.
By car:
From Tirana: Tirana-Kukës highway, turn for Rrëshen, kilometer 72
From Shkodra: 40 km
From Morina (Kosova): "Rruga e Kombit" highway, 90 km
Mirdita is one of the richest cultural heritage areas of Albania, particularly notable for its contribution over the centuries to the preservation of national identity. As such, Mirdita offers a lot of information and value for visitors interested in cultural heritage, religious or archaeological tourism.
The selection of points/destinations as part of the Cultural Route of Mirdita was carried out in order to present them as tourist attractions and was conditioned by several factors such as: access; suitability to receive visitors; meaning in the context of presenting the values of the area to visitors, etc.
Following the steps taken for the revitalization of cultural monuments through the EU4Culture Program, the Monastery Church of Rubik presents the main monument on and around which the points have been selected, aiming at the same time to offer a complete and meaningful experience for visitors to the area, especially to foreigners.
This selection comes after considerable field work with the CEAPAL team and experts involved in this project and with the support of our collaborators in Mirdita:
Gjergj Marku, Director of the House of Culture
Nik Nikolli, Director for Tourism Development
Gjovalin Marfana, EU Integration and Donor Assistance Sector
Luigj Gjergji, Director of "Saint Joseph" Vocational High School, Rreshen
Adelina, Anila, Prena, Majlinda and many other great artisan women of Mirdita.
Special thanks to the CEAPAL staff and experts engaged in this project:
Amalinda Bediava, Project Manager
Brunilda Licaj, Tourism Expert
Edlira Caushi, History and Museology Expert
Klodiana Collaku, Executive Director of CEAPAL
Photos used in this project for promoting Mirdita cultural assets are realised by Henri Koci.
THE CULTURAL ROUTE OF MIRDITA
DISCOVERING THE CHURCHES OF MIRDITA
Daily Trip
This itinerary includes elements of religious and historical value in the area of Mirdita for visitors who want to spend a different day among the cultural destinations of the area while enjoying nature and gastronomy.
AMID RUBIK AND THE OLD VILLAGE (KATUNDIT i VJETËR)
Daily Trip
The trip around Rubik and its surroundings beckons us to another time. Gracefully perched on the hill above the Fan River, the Monastery Church of Rubik is considered an indispensable element of any itinerary in this area. The community's strong connection to this church, which has stood for many centuries, renovated and rejuvenated with a new charm, makes every passerby on the National Road eager to climb its heights.
SPAÇ, A MEMORY THAT CAN NEVER BE ERASED
Daily Trip
This itinerary passes through the place of memory of the communist period, aiming to acquaint the visitors with a dark and painful period of the history of the Albanian people.
The itinerary starts with a visit to Infokulla, located on Rruga e Kombit, only 15 km from Ura e Milot, which is considered one of the most unique and creative points of the tourist information offices in the country, presenting very professionally the eastern territory and not only.
AMID THE CHURCHES OF THE PRINCIPALITY AND THE ARBËR WINERY
2 Days
This itinerary includes elements of religioes tradition in the area of Mirdita for artists and not only, who want to spend more than one night there and get to know further this territory.
The trip starts with a visit to Infokulla, which is considered one of the most unique and creative tourist information offices in the country and presents very professionally the territory of Mirdita and beyond.
DISCOVERING MIRDITA
3 Days
This is an itinerary for anyone who wants to see, walk, climb while enjoying the nature, gastronomy and wonderful destinations of Mirdita.
A slow journey, to get as much cultural information as possible, immerse yourself in nature with so much variation and get the taste of the unique wines of the Arbri Principality area.
There is no better way to start the trip than a visit to Infokulla, the most creative and unique point for tourist information that presents the eastern territory and beyond.
