Research on the Ancient City of Lushnja

Oral traditions still circulating among the oldest inhabitants indicate that “the city was initially settled on the hills of Virova, near Golemi, and later, it is said that from there the residents moved near the stream (the stream that now runs through the centre and is known as the Lushnja Stream).” Another widespread legend mentions “Salusha’s Inn” as the source of the city’s name, Lushnja. It is believed that Salusha might have been either the widow or the slave of a Pasha, or as some say, his daughter. While the historical existence of her famous inn somewhere near the Institute is supported by photos and the old map of the city, linguistic rules do not permit a transformation of the name Salushe to Lushnja. Naturally, the debate remains open. Besides this, there is another legend that seems more acceptable from a historical and linguistic perspective. According to it, “the city was initially settled on the hill of Vaini near the Great Red Church and from there expanded westward.”

What do the archaeological findings on the hill of Vaini reveal?

The oldest object discovered in the city’s territory dates back to the Eneolithic period. However, this is not the only one; other archaeological objects have been found approximately in the same place and belong to a later period. In 1989, in the “Kadri Qystri” neighborhood, during the opening of an irrigation canal, traces from the Illyrian urban period were discovered. Following checks by archaeologists, besides ceramic vessels, an ancient Illyrian cemetery was identified. The construction technique of the graves was simple, with no special constructions. Burial was done by placing the body in the ground. From the surveys conducted, it was found that the archaeological material inventory was rich. Many fragments of vessels, such as the bottoms of skyphos, cups, amphorae, etc., were collected. Intact objects, two lekythoses, were also found here. Another finding is a vessel of the Gutus type (a feeder for children) which is almost completely preserved. Additionally, a terracotta of a man in an archaic style was discovered there. According to archaeologist P. Çuko, it is believed that the graves belong to the 4th-3rd centuries BC, while the archaeological material indicates the use of ceramics imported from Apollonia. He concluded that the cemetery belonged to an “open Illyrian settlement.”

Further evidence

Not far from here, in the place called “Kalifas Hill” in 1988, other ancient graves were discovered. The graves were of a simple and ordinary type, with floors paved with solene-type tiles (laid flat), covered with roof-shaped tiles. The study showed that these graves belong to the Late Antiquity period. Meanwhile, in 2003, the Institute of Archaeology in Tirana organized a survey on the hill with the toponym “Vain” in Lushnja. The discovery of a mosaic tassel sparked this investigation. During the research, traces of an early basilica and many fragments of ceramic vessels were found. Specialists believe that this basilica was built between the 4th and 6th centuries AD. In Tab I fig 5, 6, the objects belonging to this period are illustrated, found near the Basilica. The facts indicate that Lushnja had an early basilica around 1500 years ago and a small community that served it, thus marking a “place of worship.” The exact time of its destruction is uncertain. In the Ottoman register of 1431, Lushnja is recorded, noting that it had 15 houses and about 100 inhabitants at that time. Nevertheless, Lushnja as a settlement is thought to date back to the 12th-13th centuries. Some ceramic pieces with bitumen belong to this period. Lushnja is mentioned again with the same name in another Ottoman register dated 1583. Historical sources indicate that in 1679, Lushnja had 17 houses and approximately 150 inhabitants. At the beginning of 1701, Lushnja had doubled its population but still retained the character of a village. Between 1728-1738, it is believed that the Saint Friday Church was built. During this period, Lushnja is mentioned as a Çiflig (estate).

A few years later (1741), the Sanjak of Vlora included all southern Albanians from the Shkumbin to Delvinë. The Myzeqe subdistrict was dependent on this sanjak. The lands of Lushnja and its surroundings were called the Nahija of Myzeqe, with Karbunarë village becoming its center. In 1744, Lushnja appeared as a village with 57 houses and about 500 inhabitants, while Karbunara had 47 houses. During this period, Lushnja took on the appearance of a small town, with a church and two cobblestone streets. Around 1770, with the initiative and support of Kurt Pasha’s wife, Hanko Pasha, the first mosque in Lushnja was built, which existed until 1967. Throughout the 18th century, Lushnja gradually expanded and took on the appearance of an important residential and commercial center. In 1830, Lushnja was mentioned for the first time in European encyclopedic dictionaries. It is noted that “Lusnia” had 200 houses and was inhabited by both Muslims and Christians. In just one century, the population tripled to approximately 1800 inhabitants. The “town” had cobblestone streets, a church, a mosque, a tekke, and two wells for the residents’ needs. There were four small “public” cemeteries located on the hillsides. In 1848, the famous poet and painter Edward Lear visited Lushnja and stayed for a few hours before heading to Berat. He described Lushnja (Lusnia) as a village equipped with inns for travelers. In 1860, the first school was opened in Lushnja, where, in addition to teaching Greek, Albanian was secretly taught. This school was located near the Saint Friday Church. The first teachers were Ndin and Gori Ziu, father and son, from Gorreja. Between 1860-1870, a Mejtepe school (Ottoman religious primary school) was opened in Lushnja, while another Mejtepe school was opened in Karbunara a few years earlier than that of Lushnja. After 1870, Lushnja began to stand out as a center and take on the appearance of a city. During this period, it is believed that the “Baba Skënder” tekke was built. In 1894-1896, the center of the Myzeqe subdistrict (subprefecture) moved from Karbunara to Lushnja.

Research on the Ancient City of Lushnja

Oral traditions still circulating among the oldest inhabitants indicate that “the city was initially settled on the hills of Virova, near Golemi, and later, it is said that from there the residents moved near the stream (the stream that now runs through the centre and is known as the Lushnja Stream).” Another widespread legend mentions “Salusha’s Inn” as the source of the city’s name, Lushnja. It is believed that Salusha might have been either the widow or the slave of a Pasha, or as some say, his daughter. While the historical existence of her famous inn somewhere near the Institute is supported by photos and the old map of the city, linguistic rules do not permit a transformation of the name Salushe to Lushnja. Naturally, the debate remains open. Besides this, there is another legend that seems more acceptable from a historical and linguistic perspective. According to it, “the city was initially settled on the hill of Vaini near the Great Red Church and from there expanded westward.”

What do the archaeological findings on the hill of Vaini reveal?

The oldest object discovered in the city’s territory dates back to the Eneolithic period. However, this is not the only one; other archaeological objects have been found approximately in the same place and belong to a later period. In 1989, in the “Kadri Qystri” neighborhood, during the opening of an irrigation canal, traces from the Illyrian urban period were discovered. Following checks by archaeologists, besides ceramic vessels, an ancient Illyrian cemetery was identified. The construction technique of the graves was simple, with no special constructions. Burial was done by placing the body in the ground. From the surveys conducted, it was found that the archaeological material inventory was rich. Many fragments of vessels, such as the bottoms of skyphos, cups, amphorae, etc., were collected. Intact objects, two lekythoses, were also found here. Another finding is a vessel of the Gutus type (a feeder for children) which is almost completely preserved. Additionally, a terracotta of a man in an archaic style was discovered there. According to archaeologist P. Çuko, it is believed that the graves belong to the 4th-3rd centuries BC, while the archaeological material indicates the use of ceramics imported from Apollonia. He concluded that the cemetery belonged to an “open Illyrian settlement.”

Further evidence

Not far from here, in the place called “Kalifas Hill” in 1988, other ancient graves were discovered. The graves were of a simple and ordinary type, with floors paved with solene-type tiles (laid flat), covered with roof-shaped tiles. The study showed that these graves belong to the Late Antiquity period. Meanwhile, in 2003, the Institute of Archaeology in Tirana organized a survey on the hill with the toponym “Vain” in Lushnja. The discovery of a mosaic tassel sparked this investigation. During the research, traces of an early basilica and many fragments of ceramic vessels were found. Specialists believe that this basilica was built between the 4th and 6th centuries AD. In Tab I fig 5, 6, the objects belonging to this period are illustrated, found near the Basilica. The facts indicate that Lushnja had an early basilica around 1500 years ago and a small community that served it, thus marking a “place of worship.” The exact time of its destruction is uncertain. In the Ottoman register of 1431, Lushnja is recorded, noting that it had 15 houses and about 100 inhabitants at that time. Nevertheless, Lushnja as a settlement is thought to date back to the 12th-13th centuries. Some ceramic pieces with bitumen belong to this period. Lushnja is mentioned again with the same name in another Ottoman register dated 1583. Historical sources indicate that in 1679, Lushnja had 17 houses and approximately 150 inhabitants. At the beginning of 1701, Lushnja had doubled its population but still retained the character of a village. Between 1728-1738, it is believed that the Saint Friday Church was built. During this period, Lushnja is mentioned as a Çiflig (estate).

A few years later (1741), the Sanjak of Vlora included all southern Albanians from the Shkumbin to Delvinë. The Myzeqe subdistrict was dependent on this sanjak. The lands of Lushnja and its surroundings were called the Nahija of Myzeqe, with Karbunarë village becoming its center. In 1744, Lushnja appeared as a village with 57 houses and about 500 inhabitants, while Karbunara had 47 houses. During this period, Lushnja took on the appearance of a small town, with a church and two cobblestone streets. Around 1770, with the initiative and support of Kurt Pasha’s wife, Hanko Pasha, the first mosque in Lushnja was built, which existed until 1967. Throughout the 18th century, Lushnja gradually expanded and took on the appearance of an important residential and commercial center. In 1830, Lushnja was mentioned for the first time in European encyclopedic dictionaries. It is noted that “Lusnia” had 200 houses and was inhabited by both Muslims and Christians. In just one century, the population tripled to approximately 1800 inhabitants. The “town” had cobblestone streets, a church, a mosque, a tekke, and two wells for the residents’ needs. There were four small “public” cemeteries located on the hillsides. In 1848, the famous poet and painter Edward Lear visited Lushnja and stayed for a few hours before heading to Berat. He described Lushnja (Lusnia) as a village equipped with inns for travelers. In 1860, the first school was opened in Lushnja, where, in addition to teaching Greek, Albanian was secretly taught. This school was located near the Saint Friday Church. The first teachers were Ndin and Gori Ziu, father and son, from Gorreja. Between 1860-1870, a Mejtepe school (Ottoman religious primary school) was opened in Lushnja, while another Mejtepe school was opened in Karbunara a few years earlier than that of Lushnja. After 1870, Lushnja began to stand out as a center and take on the appearance of a city. During this period, it is believed that the “Baba Skënder” tekke was built. In 1894-1896, the center of the Myzeqe subdistrict (subprefecture) moved from Karbunara to Lushnja.