Elbasan

About

Settled by the ancient Illyrians, Elbasan flourished for centuries thanks to its position on the Roman Via Egnatia. After helping spread Christianity to the region, the city was abandoned until the 15th century when it was rebuilt by the Ottomans, and remained a center for Islam in Albania even after their independence. Today, visitors these different phases in the castle district, where the old city walls, the ruins of the older Roman and Byzantine fortifications, as well as the 15th century Royal Mosque and 16th century Orthodox Church of St. Mary all stand side-by-side. As one of the country’s cultural capitals, the city is also home to several unique museums. In the home of Alexander Xhuvani, visitors can learn about the life of this key figure in Albania’s national revival. Nearby, the School Museum walks visitors through the country’s unique educational development, while the Ethnographic Museum is preserves the city’s traditional way of life.