The city of Korça, one of the biggest urban centers in Albania. Korca is located in the eastern part of Albania close to the border of Greece. Built high up on a plateau, Korca is a must see if you are exploring Eastern or Southeastern Albania.
During springtime the soft fragrance of sturgeon flowers fills the main avenue, while during winter you can enjoy a quiet stroll under the snowdusted trees.
In 1887, the first Albanian school opened in Korça. During the First World War, the French invaded the city and it became the “Autonomous Region of Korça.” In 1917 the French Lyceum (one of the most notable schools in Albania) opened.
Besides its history, Korça’s traditional architecture with its villa-like houses encircled by banisters and flowery gardens attract attention. The zone between Republika and Shën Gjergji boulevards is very interesting: here, housed in two traditional Korça buildings are the Medieval Art Museum and the Prehistoric Museum, displaying nearly 1200 artifacts from the Prehistoric, Hellenic, Roman and early-Byzantine eras.
Another object of interest is the Museum-house of the master artist Vangjush Mio, and the Museum of the Bratko Collection, opened in 2003 and displaying art objects from the Far East.
You might want to visit also the bazaar (dating from the turn of the 20th century), the Mosque of Iliaz Bej Mirahori (the oldest monument in the City, dating back to 1484), and the Cathedral Ngjallja e Krishtit (“Resurrection of Christ”), one of the biggest cathedrals in the Balkans.
The city is known for its characteristic songs called “serenades” which are played by guitars. In the city taverns you can sample local dishes (be sure not to miss lakrori me qepë dhe domate, and tava e korminës), and don’t forget the Festival of Carnivals, the biggest celebration of its kind in all of Albania.
If you love Turkish style rugs and carpets you might want to visit the city, as Korca is famous of carpets and rugs manufacturing.