Vlorë

Vlorë (/ˈvlɔːrə/ VLOR-ə,[8][9] Albanian: [ˈvlɔɾə]; definite Albanian form: Vlora[lower-alpha 3]) is the third most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Vlorë County and Vlorë Municipality. Located in southwestern Albania, Vlorë sprawls on the Bay of Vlorë and is surrounded by the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea Coasts. It experiences a Mediterranean climate, which is affected by the Ceraunian Mountains and the proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.

Vlorë
Vlonë
Municipality and city
From top to bottom, left to right: Promenade of Vlorë, Muradie Mosque, Old house on the Dhimiter Konomi Street, Old Town of Vlorë, Independence Monument and Lungomare.
Seal
Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë
Coordinates: 40°28′N 19°29′E
CountryAlbania
RegionSouthern Albania
CountyVlorë
Founded6th century BC
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • BodyVlorë Municipal Council
 • Mayor[1]Dritan Leli (PS)
Area
 • Municipality[2][3]616.85 km2 (238.17 sq mi)
 • Administrative unit[4]28.97 km2 (11.19 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Municipality
130,827[lower-alpha 1]
 • Municipality density169.9/km2 (440/sq mi)
 • Administrative unit
79,513[lower-alpha 2]
DemonymAlbanian: Vlonjat(e)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
9400
Area code+355 (0) 33
SeaportPort of Vlorë
Motorways
Highways
Vehicle registrationVL
Websitevlora.gov.al

Vlorë was founded as Aulon as an Ancient Greek colony on the Illyrian coast and was conquered at different periods throughout history by Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Venetians and Ottomans. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the Albanians gathered both spiritual and intellectual strength for national consciousness, which conclusively led to the Albanian Renaissance. Vlorë played an instrumental role in Albanian Independence as an epicenter for the founders of modern Albania, who signed the Declaration of Independence on 28 November 1912 at the Assembly of Vlorë.

Vlorë is one of the most significant cities of southern Albania and the region of Labëria which is traditionally noted for its culture, traditions and folklore. Vlorë is served by the Port of Vlorë, the SH8 highway, and the A2 motorway, collectively representing part of the Adriatic–Ionian Corridor and the Pan-European Corridor VIII.

Name

Vlorë was founded as an Ancient Greek colony on the Illyrian coast. Its initial name was Aulṓn (Ancient Greek: Αυλών; also the name in modern Katharevousa), meaning "channel, glen" and possibly a translation of another indigenous name.[11] The name of the city was first recorded in the 2nd century AD, by two Ancient Greek authors, Lucian and Ptolemy, the latter calling it "town and sea-port", which confirms that it was founded much earlier. However, Aulon has not been mentioned by more Ancient Greek and Roman authors, who on the other hand recorded the nearby town and seaport of Oricum. But in later sources Oricum is less encountered, while the toponym Aulon is more frequently mentioned.[12]

Vlorë developed from the ancient Aulon-a through the evolution of the phonetic system of the Albanian language with the rhotacism Vlonë > Vlorë,[13][12] which is a pre-Slavic phenomenon in Albanian. The intervocalic /n/ has regularly evolved to /r/ in Tosk Albanian, while the initial /v/ has evolved from unstressed /u/ after the disappearance of the initial unstressed /a/. The evolution /u/ > /v/ should be relatively ancient, preventing the evolution of the following intervocalic /l/ to /lː/. In Geg Albanian the toponym is pronounced Vlonë, indicating that it has been in use among northern Albanians before the appearance of rhotacism in Tosk Albanian.[12] Also the accent pattern of the name observes Albanian accent rules.[14]

The medieval and modern Greek name is Avlónas (Αυλώνας Aulṓnas [avˈlonas], accusative Αυλώνα Aulṓna [avˈlona]), and is the source of the Latin Aulona, the Italian Valona (also used in other languages) and of the obsolete English Avlona.[15][16] During the Ottoman era the city of Vlorë was known in Turkish as Avlonya.[17] In Medieval Latin sources and in Old Italian records it is mentioned with the forms Avalona, Avelona, Lavalona, Lavellona; and in Old Serbian sources as Avlona or Vavlona, the latter containing the Slavic preposition v "in".[12] In Aromanian, the city is known as Avlona.[18]

History
Timeline of Vlorë
Historical affiliations

 Illyrians (Bylliones), pre 286–226 BC
 Roman Empire, 226 BC–286
 Byzantine Empire, 286-c. 705
 South Slavs, c. 705–784
 Byzantine Empire, 784–1204
 Despotate of Epirus, 1204-1346
 Principality of Valona, 1346–1417
Ottoman Empire, 1417–1691
Republic of Venice, 1691–1698
Ottoman Empire, 1698–1912
Independent Albania, 1912–1914
Principality of Albania, 1915–1917
Italian protectorate over Albania, 1917–1920
Principality of Albania, 1920–1925
Albanian Republic, 1925–1928
Albanian Kingdom, 1928–1939
Kingdom of Albania, 1939–1943
Albanian Kingdom, 1943–1944
Democratic Government of Albania, 1944–1946
People's Socialist Republic of Albania, 1946–1992
 Albania, 1992–present


Early history

Due to its strategic position on the Adriatic Sea, especially the Bay of Vlorë, which forms a natural harbor, Vlorë occupied a significant place in classical antiquity as a base for trade by many peoples. Vlorë is considered one of the oldest cities in Albania and the region. The city was founded by the ancient Greeks in the 6th century BC and named Aulōn. It is also one of several colonies on the Illyrian coast,[lower-alpha 4] mentioned for the first time by Ptolemy (Geographia III xii, 2). In terms of Greek mythology the inhabitants of Aulon claimed descent from the Nostoi; returning heroes from Trojan War.[19] Other geographical documents, such as the Tabula Peutingeriana and Hierocles' Synecdemus, also mention Aulon. The city served as an important port of the Roman Empire, when it was part of Epirus Nova.[20][21]

Aulon (Avlona) became an episcopal see in the 5th century. Among the known bishops are Nazarius in 458 and Soter in 553 (Daniele Farlati, Illyricum sacrum, VII, 397–401). The diocese at that time belonged to the papal Pentarchy. In 733, it was annexed with the eastern Illyricum, to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and yet it is not mentioned in any Notitiae Episcopatuum of that Church. The bishopric had probably been suppressed for though the Bulgarians had been in possession of this country for some time, Avlona is not mentioned in the "Notitiae episcopatuum" of the Bulgarian Patriarchate of Achrida.

During the Roman period, a Latin see was established and Eubel (Hierarchia catholica medii aevi, I, 124) mentions several of its bishops.[20]

The tower of the medieval fortress of Vlorë in 1573
Map of Simon Pinargenti Valona in 1573

Aulon, no longer being a residential bishopric, is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see, a suffragan bishop of Durrës, being distinguished from a Greek titular see called Aulon by the use for it of the adjective Aulonitanus, while the adjective regarding the Aulon in Euboea (Ionian Greece) is Aulonensis.[22] The diocese was nominally restored as Latin titular bishopric Aulon, or Valona in Curiate Italian; from 1925 it was (als) named Aulona in Latin and/or Italian, since 1933 it's only Aulon in Latin, Aulona in Italian. It was a bishopric from the fifth century until Bulgarian rule.

Middle Ages

In the 11th and 12th century, Vlorë played an instrumental role in the conflicts between the Byzantine Empire and Norman Kingdom of Sicily.[16] Following Norman occupation, they ruled for only four years and established a Latin church episcopal see in Vlorë.[16][23] Vlorë served as capital of the Principality of Valona, initially a Serbian vassal state and later, independent Christian state from 1346 to 1417.[24][25] The Ottoman Empire captured the city in 1417, while in 1432, Albanian rebels freed Vlorë and expelled the Ottomans from the area.[26][27] As part of the Ottoman Empire, Vlorë became a sanjak centre in Rumelia Eyalet under the name Avlonya. Later it become a Venetian possession in 1690 and the city was restored to the Ottomans in 1691, becoming a kaza of the Sanjak of Avlona in the vilayet (province) of Janina. At the time the city had about 10,000 inhabitants; there was a Catholic parish, which belonged to the Archdiocese of Durrës. During the early period of Ottoman rule, Vlorë became an international port centered on a high volume of trade between western Europe and the Ottoman state.[28]

Vlora in 1848 depicted by Edward Lear with pelicans seen near Zvërnec.[29]

In 1426, the Ottomans supported the settlement of a Jewish community involved in mercantile activities.[26] The community underwent population growth in subsequent decades with Jews migrating from Corfu, Venetian ruled lands, Naples, France, and the Iberian Peninsula.[26] Following their expulsion and arrival from Spain, the Ottoman state settled Jewish expellees in Vlorë toward the latter part of the fifteenth century.[26] Ottoman censuses for 1506 and 1520 recorded the Jewish population as consisting of 528 families and some 2,600 people in Vlorë.[26] The Jews of Vlorë were involved in trade and the city imported items from Europe and exported spices, leather, cotton fabrics, velvets, brocades, and mohair from the Ottoman cities of Istanbul and Bursa.[26] The Vlorë Jewish community took an active role in the welfare of other Jews such as managing to attain the release of war related captives present in Durrës in 1596.[26] After the Battle of Lepanto (1571) and the deterioration of security along the Ottoman controlled Adriatic and Ionian coasts, the numbers of Jews within Vlorë decreased.[26]

Albanian Renaissance
Ismail Qemali is regarded as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and founding father of the modern Albanian nation.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, cultural developments, widely attributed to Albanians having gathered both spiritual and intellectual strength, conclusively led to the Albanian Renaissance with Vlorë becoming an epicenter of the movement in 1912. In 1833, Vlorë was captured by Albanian rebels forcing the Ottoman government to abolish taxes and comply to rebel requests.[30] In 1851 it suffered severely from an earthquake.[16] The Jewish community of Yanina renewed the Jewish community of Vlorë in the nineteenth century.[26]

On November 28, 1912, Ismail Qemali declared the Albanian National Awakening in Vlorë, during the First Balkan War. The city became Albania's first capital following its independence, but was invaded by Italy in 1914, during the World War I. The city remained occupied by Italian forces until an Albanian rebellion forced the Italians out of Albania in 1920. Italy invaded Vlorë again in 1939. The city remained under Italian occupation until Italy surrendered to the allies in 1943. Subsequently, Nazi Germany occupied the city until 1944. The city was liberated in 1944 by communist forces under Enver Hoxha.

Communist Albania

During the World War II, Sazan Island became the site of a German and Italian submarine base and naval installations; these installations were heavily bombed by the Allies.

After World War II, with Albania ruled by a Communist Party, the port was leased out to the Soviet Union for use as a submarine base. During 1960 and 1961 it served as a theater in the aftermath of the decision of Enver Hoxha to denounce Nikita Khrushchev's reforms.[31] In April 1961 the Soviet Union, resenting being pushed out after considerable investment in the naval facilities at nearby Pasha Liman Base, threatened to occupy Vlora with Soviet troops, and cut off all Soviet economic, military and technical aid to Albania. The threat was not carried out, as a result of the simultaneous international developments; most notably the Cuban Missile Crisis. Hoxha, realizing the vulnerability of Albania after the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, ordered the construction of hundreds of thousands of concrete bunkers.[32] Under Hoxha, Vlorë served as an important recruiting centre for the Sigurimi; the Albanian state security, intelligence and secret police service.[33]

In 1997, Vlorë was the center of the Albanian civil war of 1997 after the collapse of several fraudulent investment schemes that led to the downfall of the Sali Berisha administration.

Geography
View of the promenade of Vlorë and the Ceraunian Mountains in the hinterlands.

Vlorë is situated on the Bay of Vlorë along the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea Coasts in the eastern part of the Strait of Otranto surrounded by the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains. Defined in an area of 647.94 km2 (250.17 sq mi), Vlorë Municipality is encompassed in Vlorë County as part of the Southern Region of Albania and consists of the adjacent administrative units of Novoselë, Orikum, Qendër Vlorë, Shushicë and Vlorë.[2][5][6] The municipality stretches from the mouth of Vjosë in the north along the Narta Lagoon to the Llogara Pass in the south.[2] It also encloses the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island in the west with the Shushica-Vlorë River forming its eastern border.[2] Protected areas include the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, Llogara National Park and Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape.[34] Valonia oak, the mass name for acorn cups obtained in the neighboring oak forests and used by tanners, derives its name from Valona, the ancient name of Vlorë.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Vlorë falls under the periphery of the hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa) zone with an average annual temperature of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F).[35] Summers in Vlorë are dry and hot while winters experience moderate temperatures and changeable, rainy weather.[36] The warmest month is August with an average temperature rising to 26.8 °C (80.2 °F). By contrast, the coldest month is January with an average temperature falling to 7.9 °C (46.2 °F).[35] Vlorë has a sunny climate with an average of 3,358 hours of sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest areas in the Eastern Mediterranean.[35][37][38] July is the sunniest month of the year with an average of about 12 hours of sunshine a day.[35] By contrast, the average hours of sunshine are less than 7 hours per day in January.[35]

Climate data for Vlorë
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 13
(55)		 14
(57)		 16
(61)		 19
(66)		 23
(73)		 27
(81)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 27
(81)		 23
(73)		 19
(66)		 15
(59)		 21
(70)
Daily mean °C (°F) 10
(50)		 10
(50)		 12
(54)		 15
(59)		 19
(66)		 22
(72)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 22
(72)		 19
(66)		 15
(59)		 12
(54)		 17
(63)
Average low °C (°F) 6
(43)		 6
(43)		 8
(46)		 10
(50)		 14
(57)		 17
(63)		 19
(66)		 19
(66)		 16
(61)		 14
(57)		 11
(52)		 8
(46)		 12
(54)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 120
(4.7)		 106
(4.2)		 92
(3.6)		 79
(3.1)		 54
(2.1)		 28
(1.1)		 9
(0.4)		 26
(1.0)		 32
(1.3)		 116
(4.6)		 192
(7.6)		 141
(5.6)		 995
(39.3)
Average precipitation days 13 12 14 11 9 6 3 3 5 10 17 17 120
Mean monthly sunshine hours 133.3 147.9 173.6 225.0 272.8 318.0 368.9 344.1 279.0 210.8 117.0 99.2 2,689.6
Mean daily sunshine hours 4 5 5 7 8 10 11 11 9 6 3 3 7
Mean daily daylight hours 9 10 11 13 14 15 14 13 12 11 9 9 12
Source: [36][39]
Climate data for Vlorë elevation at 44 m or 144 ft from 1961-1990
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 23.6
(74.5)		 29.6
(85.3)		 28.2
(82.8)		 29.6
(85.3)		 37.2
(99.0)		 41.0
(105.8)		 41.6
(106.9)		 38.0
(100.4)		 38.0
(100.4)		 31.8
(89.2)		 28.5
(83.3)		 24.5
(76.1)		 41.6
(106.9)
Average high °C (°F) 13.2
(55.8)		 13.9
(57.0)		 15.9
(60.6)		 19.0
(66.2)		 23.2
(73.8)		 27.0
(80.6)		 29.7
(85.5)		 29.8
(85.6)		 27.0
(80.6)		 22.8
(73.0)		 18.2
(64.8)		 14.5
(58.1)		 21.2
(70.1)
Average low °C (°F) 4.8
(40.6)		 5.3
(41.5)		 6.6
(43.9)		 9.6
(49.3)		 13.2
(55.8)		 16.6
(61.9)		 18.4
(65.1)		 18.3
(64.9)		 15.9
(60.6)		 12.5
(54.5)		 9.5
(49.1)		 6.3
(43.3)		 11.4
(52.5)
Record low °C (°F) −7.0
(19.4)		 −4.8
(23.4)		 −6.3
(20.7)		 −0.5
(31.1)		 4.6
(40.3)		 10.1
(50.2)		 11.4
(52.5)		 12.2
(54.0)		 6.6
(43.9)		 3.0
(37.4)		 −0.6
(30.9)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 −7.0
(19.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) — — — — — — — — — — — — 879.6
(34.63)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) — — — — — — — — — — — — 82.0
Average snowy days — — — — — — — — — — — — 1.0
Average relative humidity (%) — — — — — — — — — — — — 66.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours — — — — — — — — — — — — 2,745.2
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)[40]

Economy
View of a ship in the Port of Vlorë

The city of Vlorë remains a major seaport and commercial centre, with a significant fishing and industrial sector. The surrounding region produces petroleum, natural gas, bitumen and salt. The city is also the location of important installations of the Albanian Navy. It has grown in importance as an agricultural center with a very large-scale planting of olive and fruit trees, and as a center of the food processing, oil, and bitumen export industries. Historically, the surrounding district was mainly agricultural and pastoral, producing oats, maize, cotton, olive oil, cattle, sheep, skins, hides, and butter.[16] These commodities are exported.

Vlorë is a vibrant coastal city with a well-developed and modern housing infrastructure. The city offers a variety of residential areas ranging from the coast and going inland. Vlorë is divided into three economic zones.[41] The Free Economic Zone TEDA Vlorë has a strategic location, some 151 kilometres (94 miles) away from the capital Tirana. The Land and Environmental Information is located in a flat, saline land, partially covered by Soda Forest. The area is suitable for industrial and environmentally friendly development. The Industrial development inside the zone eligible activities that can be developed in TEDA are: industrial, processing, commercial, goods storage, light industry, electronics, auto parts manufacturing, and port related activities. The Labor market: Official data from 2014 reported the employable labor force in Vlora at 125,954, of which 84,836 are currently employed. 35% of the labor force in Vlora has a high school degree, while 17% has a university degree.

Bay of Vlorë and the view of Sazan Island

According to the World Bank, Vlorë has made significant steps in the economy rankings in 2016. Vlorë ranks 7th among 22 cities in Southeastern Europe in rankings conducted by the World Bank Group.[42] ahead of the capital of Albania, Tirana, and also Belgrade, Serbia and Sarajevo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tourism which has always been a driving force for the city's economy has become a major industry in recent years, with many hotels, recreational centers, and vast beaches. The city has a good view over the Bay of Vlorë, which is considered the frontier between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. The Island of Sazan is in front of the city, at the entrance of the bay. Italy is just 80 kilometres (50 miles) away. Beaches close to the city include Palasë, Dhermi, Vuno, Himara, Qeparo, and Borsh. The diversity of its territory makes Vlorë a city for everyone, from the mountains in the Llogara National Park, to the Riviera, from the narrow alleys of the historic city-center, to the various archaeological sites. In 2019, Vlorë was cited in Financial Times' 'Five destinations to watch' article that listed new and exciting holiday destinations from around the world.[43]

Infrastructure

Road
The SH8 highway in southern Vlorë leading to Orikum.

Vlorë lies on the north–south transportation corridor of Albania and is served by a network of motorways and highways connecting the city to other parts of Albania. The preceding SH8 highway, beginning from Fier, links the northern districts of Vlorë with the central and southern districts, continuing along the Albanian Riviera to Sarandë. The A2 motorway parallelly runs along the SH8 from Fier to Vlorë and terminates after entering the city in the north. Upon completion, the bypass of Vlorë will link the A2 motorway through the suburbs of Vlorë with the SH8 highway.[44][45]

Sea

Vlorë is served by the Port of Vlorë, the second busiest port in Albania, located in the northern part of the city's coast. Vlorë International Airport is a proposed airport development project as part of Albania's plan to increase transportation links to destinations in southern Albania.[46][47] The proposed location for the airport lies at the village of Akërni within the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape in the north of Vlorë, which was met with widespread criticism.[48]

Air

The Vlora International Airport is under construction. The construction was officially launched on 28 November 2021, and has a completion target date of April 2024.[49][50] The airport also has plans to include a marina and an agritourism site.

Education

Vlora is home to the second largest university in Albania. The University of Vlora was founded in 1994 as a technological university. It retains a focus on technology, but has expanded in the areas of economics and finance, education, medicine, and law.

There are three journals based in the University of Vlora. There is also a scientific journal published quarterly in Albanian: Buletini Shkencor i Universitetit te Vlorës. Since 2008 it is home to the Academicus International Scientific Journal,[51] a peer-reviewed scientific publication in the English language founded by Arta Musaraj.[52]

Besides the state university there are two private universities, namely Universiteti Pavarësia Vlorë and Akademia e Studimeve të Aplikuara "Reald", which started as primary school and high school, and since 2011 operates also as a university.[53]

Demography
Population history of Vlorë in selected periods
Year 1923[54] 1927[54] 1938[54] 1989[34] 2001[34] 2011[7]
Pop.5,9426,2109,94871,66277,65279,513
±% p.a.—    +1.11%+4.38%+3.95%+0.67%+0.24%
Source: [54]

As of the Institute of Statistics estimate from the 2011 census, there were 79,513 people residing in Vlorë and 104,827 in the municipality of Vlorë, constituting the third most populous city and fifth most populous municipality of Albania.[2][7] The estimated population density of Vlorë Municipality was at 169.9 inhabitants per square kilometre.[2] The population of Vlorë had increased from 71,662 in 1989 to 79,513 in 2011, while a decline of the population of Vlorë Municipality from 114,497 to 104,827 was highlighted.[34]

The constitution defines Albania as a secular country with no official religion.[55] It guarantees the freedom of religion, belief and conscience and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religious beliefs or practice.[55][56] Vlorë is religiously diverse and possesses many places of worship catering to its religious population, who are traditionally adherents of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. During the 19th and early 20th century, Albanian-speaking Muslims were the majority population of Vlorë while there was a small number of Greek-speaking families, Albanian Orthodox, Jews, and an even smaller number of Catholics.[57] In 1994 the ethnic Greek community of the city numbered 8,000 people.[58] A Greek school was operating in the city in 1741.[59]

Culture
Monument of Independence on the Flag's Square.

Vlorë is geographically and culturally encompassed in the historical region of Labëria, extending from the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea Coasts to the mountainous region of southeastern Albania.[60] Labëria is distinguished for its distinct culture, landscapes and traditions and known as the birthplace of Albanian polyphonic music, which has been proclaimed by UNESCO a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.[61] Most of the Albanian inhabitants of Vlorë speak the Lab dialect of southern Tosk Albanian that differs from other Albanian dialects.[62]

Historical center of Vlorë at the Justin Godart Street.

Vlorë is home to many cultural and historical sites that also relate to the founding of Albania. The Monument of Independence is located on the Flag's Square and commemorates the Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire.[63] Museum of Independence is housed in a 19th-century building, where the founding fathers of Albania signed the Declaration of Independence.[64] Its balcony is considered a symbol of freedom, victory and resilience of the Albanians to prevent the occupation of their motherland.[64]

Located in a 19th-century mansion, the Ethnographic Museum close to the Museum of Independence displays the ethnographic heritage of Vlorë and its surrounding region.[64] The History Museum at the Perlat Rexhepi Street is another museum exhibiting among others artefacts from the nearby archaeological sites of the Illyrians and Ancient Greeks.[64] A museum dedicated to the historical Jewish population of Vlorë is planned to open in the historical center of Vlorë.[65][66]

Among the most outstanding religious sites in Vlorë are the Muradie Mosque built in the 16th century at the Sadik Zotaj Street and the Saint Aloysius Gonzaga and Mary Church from the 19th century at the Kristoforidhi Street.[63] Notable cultural sites in Vlorë Municipality include the Castle of Kaninë, Church of Marmiroi, Island of Sazan, Island of Zvërnec, Lagoon of Narta as well as the archaeological sites of Amantia and Oricum.[63]

The oldest and most popular first division team based in Vlorë is the football club KS Flamurtari Vlorë. Flamurtari plays at Flamurtari Stadium in the center of Vlorë near the Independence Square.

International relations

Vlorë is twinned with:

See also
  • List of mayors of Vlorë
  • List of people from Vlorë
  • List of Catholic dioceses in Albania

Notes
  1. The municipality of Vlorë consists of the administrative units of Novoselë, Orikum, Qendër Vlorë, Shushicë and Vlorë.[2][5][6] The population of the municipality results from the sum of the listed administrative units in the former as of the 2011 Albanian census.[2][7]
  2. The estimation for the administrative unit of Vlorë is to be taken into consideration.[7]
  3. Vlorë is also known as Vlonë (pronounced [ˈvlonə]; definite: Vlona) in Gheg Albanian.[10]
  4. "town that is the second seaport of Albania. It was strategically important during the Roman period and in the 11th to the 12th-century wars between Normans and the Byzantine Empire" (EB editors 2016).

References
  1. "Kryetari i Bashkisë Vlorë" (in Albanian). Bashkia Vlorë. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  2. "Pasaporta e Bashkisë Vlorë" (in Albanian). Porta Vendore. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  3. "Bashkia Vlorë" (in Albanian). Albanian Association of Municipalities (AAM). Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  4. "Rregullore e Planit të Përgjithshëm Vendor të Territorit të Bashkisë Vlorë" (PDF) (in Albanian). Bashkia Vlorë. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  5. "A new Urban–Rural Classification of Albanian Population" (PDF). Instituti i Statistikës (INSTAT). May 2014. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  6. "Law nr. 115/2014" (PDF) (in Albanian). p. 6376. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  7. Nurja, Ines. "Censusi i popullsisë dhe banesave/ Population and Housing Census–Vlorë (2011)" (PDF). Tirana: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). p. 85. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  8. "Vlorë". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2020-07-07.
  9. "Vlorë". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). HarperCollins. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
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Further reading
  • Nagle, Robert (2002). "East European Experiments—Tourism/Tourist Information about Vlore (Vlore) Albania". Imaginary Planet Home. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  • "Vlorë". The Columbia Encyclopedia. 2004.
  • "Vlorë or Vlora, Ital. Valona, ancient Aulon". Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. 2001.
  • Bowden, William (2003). Epirus Vetus: The Archaeology of a Late Antique Province (Duckworth Archaeology). p. 14. ISBN 0-7156-3116-0.
  • EB editors (2016). "Vlorë". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 24 April 2016. {{cite encyclopedia}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  • Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Avlona" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 65–66.
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Vailhé, Siméon (1912). "Valona". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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