Elbasan is a city in central Albania with a history dating back to ancient times, combining the traditional with the modern. Most travellers remember only the giant rusting structure of steelworks when driving on a route between Tirana and Ohrid Lake. But the city has much more to offer: the oldest mosque in Albania, built shortly after the Ottomans conquered it in the 15th century, or the city’s walls constructed in the Roman period. Elbasan also provides access to the stunning Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park.
4 things not to be missed in Elbasan
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History of Elbasan
The founding of the city dates back to the 1st century AD when a Roman settlement was established on the banks of the Shkumbin River. It was called Scampa and gradually transformed into an ancient city located on the important trade route Via Egnatia. It was fortified in the 4th century, and its 300 by 300-meter walls still serve as the blueprint for the old town. Early in the Middle Ages, Scampa served as the seat of a bishopric; however, after the Slavs arrived, no further mention of the city was found.
The town was abandoned until the Turks came on the territory of today’s Albania in the 15th century. New rulers placed a military garrison here, rebuilt the former fortress and surrounded it with deep moats. They named it Ilbasan, which means “conquered land” in Turkish. In 1492, the oldest mosque in Albania was constructed.
The castle was demolished in 1832 by the local administrator Reshit Pasha and new houses were built on the site originally intended for the military garrison. Only the southern and western parts of the fortifications have been preserved to this day.
After the establishment of the independent Albanian state in 1912, Elbasan was considered to gain the status of the capital, but the struggle was won by Tirana to the north. During the Balkan Wars and World War I, the city was successively occupied by the armies of Serbia, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Italy.
Until the Second World War, Elbasan’s landscape was purely oriental, with cobbled streets and typical ottoman houses; its modernisation took place in the 1950s when wide boulevards were created. In 1974, the steelworks were completed, employing at its peak up to 12,000 workers from Elbasan and the surrounding area.
Transport to Elbasan
Thanks to the new highway, the once tortuous journey from Tirana to Elbasan has been shortened to less than an hour, making the visit a comfortable day trip from the Albanian capital.
Buses from Tirana depart at half-hourly to hourly intervals from the TEG terminal. There are direct bus routes to Elbasan to almost all major Albanian cities. The bus station is located a short walk from the centre in front of the Palace of Sports. Only the buses to Tirana have a stop a few dozen metres away on Qemal Stafa Street. Minibuses to nearby towns and villages, including thermal baths in Tregan, leave from the station on Thoma Kalfi Street next to a supermarket.
TIP: If you have your own car and plenty of time, from Tirana you can drive along the old Elbasan road over Krraba Pass (Qafa e Krrabës) instead of taking the motorway tunnel. Built in the 1930s, the narrow road winds between hills in many curves and at its highest point nearly surpasses 1,000 metres. The upper flat part in particular offers spectacular views. Traffic on the old road has been limited since the opening of the motorway, so it is suitable for cyclists and motorcyclists.
Useful Links
Accommodation
Use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Elbasan.
Flights
Find the cheapest flights to Albania on Kiwi.com. It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
Discover Albania with cheap & reliable car rentals through Rent from Locals.
Mobile data
Airalo provides affordable and convenient mobile data to keep you connected wherever you travel. Forget local SIM or roaming charges.
Useful Links
Accommodation
Use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Elbasan.
Flights
Find the cheapest flights to Albania on Kiwi.com. It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
Discover Albania with cheap & reliable car rentals through Rent from Locals.
Mobile data
Airalo provides affordable and convenient mobile data to keep you connected wherever you travel. Forget local SIM or roaming charges.