View source for Elbasan

{{Short description|Fourth largest city of Albania}}
{{About|the city in Albania|other uses|Elbasan (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Albanian settlement
| name                   = Elbasan
| other name             = Elbasani
| type                   = m
| flag                   = Flag of Elbasan.gif
| emblem                 = Stema e Bashkisë Elbasan.svg
| image_skyline          = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| perrow            = 1/2
|total_width        = 300
|caption_align		= center
|image1				= Elbasan 1.jpg
|caption1			= View of Elbasan
|image2             = Elbasan, Albania, St Mary's Church 2018 07.jpg
|caption2           = [[Church of St. Mary (Elbasan)|Kisha e Shën Mërisë]]
|image3             = Elbasan - Xhamia Masjid Hafiz Patel (2018).jpg
|caption3           = Hafiz Patel Mosque
|image4				= Часовая башня в Эльбасане.jpg
|caption4			= Clock tower of Elbasan
|image5				= Elbasan Castle 1.JPG
|caption5			=[[Elbasan Castle]]
}}
| image_caption                   = 
| map                    = 
| location               =
| county                 = Elbasan
| parts                  =
| settled                =
| incorporated           =
| dissolved              =
| party                  = [[Socialist Party of Albania|PS]]
| mayor                  = Gledian Llatja
| council chairman       =
| administrator          = 
| coordinates            = {{coord|41|06|40|N|20|04|50|E|type:adm1st_region:AL_dim:100000|display=it}}
| elevation              = 133
| area munic             = 845.1
| area rank              =
| population as of       = 2023<ref name="2023pop">{{cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/censuses/census-of-population-and-housing/|publisher=Institute of Statistics Albania}}</ref>
|area_unit=17.4| population munic       = 115101
| population unit        = 66834
| population rank        = 
| demonym                = {{langx|sq|Elbasanas (m), Elbasanase (f)}} or <br>''Elbasanlli (m) Elbasanllie (f)''
| postal code            = 3001-3006
| area code              = (0)54
| website                = {{URL|https://elbasani.gov.al/}}
}}
'''Elbasan''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɛ|l|b|ə|ˈ|s|ɑː|n}} {{respell|EL|bə|SAHN}},<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Elbasan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924154044/https://www.lexico.com/definition/Elbasan |url-status=dead |archive-date=2021-09-24 |title=Elbasan |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPA|sq|ɛlbaˈsan|lang}}; {{lang-sq-definite|Elbasani}}, {{IPA|sq|ɛlbaˈsani|pron}}) is the [[List of cities and towns in Albania|fourth most populous city]] of [[Albania]] and seat of [[Elbasan County]] and Elbasan Municipality. It lies to the north of the river [[Shkumbin]] between the [[Skanderbeg Mountains]] and the [[Myzeqe|Myzeqe Plain]] in central Albania.

== Etymology ==

The name (in the form {{lang|rup|Elbasan}} also in [[Aromanian language|Aromanian]])<ref>{{cite news|url=https://issuu.com/leogjata/docs/arumunet_albania_nr_40|title=Arumunët Albania, nr. 40|newspaper=Arumunët Albania|issue=40|page=15|year=2014|language=sq, rup}}</ref> is derived from the [[Ottoman Turkish]] {{Transliteration|ota|il-basan}} ("the fortress").<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=haFlGXIg8uoC&q=Neokastron+elbasan&pg=PA126 |title=Robert Elsie: Historical dictionary of Albania |date=2010-03-19 |access-date=2013-08-10|isbn=9780810873803 |last1=Elsie |first1=Robert |publisher=Scarecrow Press }}</ref>

== History ==

[[File:Elbasan Castle 1.JPG|thumb|left|[[Elbasan Castle]]]]

In August 2010 archaeologists discovered two Roman Era Illyrian graves near the walls of the castle of Elbasan.

In the second century BC, a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] trading post recorded in [[Latin]] as ''[[Mansio]] Scampa''near the site of modern Elbasan developed close to a junction of two branches of an important Roman road, the [[Via Egnatia]], which connected the [[Adriatic]] coast with [[Byzantium]]. It was one of the most important routes of the [[Roman Empire]]. By the third or fourth century AD, this place had grown into a real city protected by a substantial Roman fortress with towers; the fort covered around 300 square meters.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gloyer |first=Gillian |title= Albania|url= https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781841623870|url-access=registration |quote=mansio scampa. |access-date= 20 October 2013|year= 2012|publisher= Bradt Travel Guides|location=Chalfont St Peter |isbn=9781841623870|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781841623870/page/107 107]}}</ref> This city appears on late antique itineraries like the ''[[Tabula Peutingeriana]]'' and ''[[Itinerarium Burdigalense]]'' as ''Scampis'' or ''Hiscampis''.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Hammond |first= N.G.L. |year= 1974 |title= The Western Part of the via Egnatia |jstor=299268 |journal= The Journal of Roman Studies |publisher= Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies |volume= 64|pages=188 |doi= 10.2307/299268|s2cid= 162531891 }}</ref>

It took part in the spread of [[Christianity]] along the Via, and had a bishop, cathedral and basilicas as early as the fifth century. As a town in a wide river valley it was vulnerable to attacks once the legions were withdrawn but [[Emperor Justinian]] made an effort to improve the fortifications. The city survived attacks by the [[Bulgars]] and [[Ostrogoths]] and was mentioned in the work of [[Procopius of Cæsarea]]. Ruins of a Paleochristian basilica, built in the 5th or 6th century AD, were found in Bezistan area.

The site seems to have been abandoned until the [[Ottoman army]] built a military camp there, followed by urban reconstruction under [[Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror]] in 1466. Mehmet constructed a massive four-sided castle with a deep moat and three gates. The name Elbasan is thought to mean 'the flat fortress' in Albanian or 'the flat province' in Turkish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blue-albania.com/GeneralInfo14-ELBASANI.htm|title=Blue Albania - We help you to explore Albania... - Portali me i madh turistik Shqiptar|access-date=2015-12-21|archive-date=2018-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827210550/http://blue-albania.com/GeneralInfo14-ELBASANI.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> He had built the castle in order to fight [[Skanderbeg]], due to an [[League of Lezhë|ongoing conflict]] between the Ottomans and Albanians.<ref name="Inalcik327">{{cite book|last=Inalcik|first=Halil|chapter=The Ottoman Turks and the Crusades, 1451–1522|editor1-last=Hazard|editor1-first=Harry|editor2-last=Zacour|editor2-first=Norman|title=A History of the Crusades: The Impact of the Crusades on Europe|year=1989|publisher=University of Wisconsin Press|isbn=9780299107444|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TKaPrQPFIAMC&q=Elbasan+sultan&pg=PA327|pages=327}}</ref>  
 
[[File:Elbasan - Naziresha Mosque (by Pudelek).JPG|thumb|left|170px|[[Naziresha Mosque]]]]

It became the seat of [[Sanjak of Elbasan]], a centre of Ottoman urban civilisation over the next 445 years. Although [[Halil Inalcik]] explains that the Sanjak of Elbasan was established as soon as the [[Elbasan Castle|fortress of Elbasan]] was constructed in 1466, based on [[Tursun Beg]]'s records there is a possibility that Elbasan initially was part of the [[Sanjak of Ohrid]].<ref>{{Citation |last= Kiel |first=Machiel |title= Ottoman architecture in Albania, 1385-1912 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2xYzAAAAIAAJ&q=%22the+usually+well+informed+Tursun+Beg+%22 |access-date= 9 January 2012|year= 1990|publisher=Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture |location=Istanbul |isbn=978-92-9063-330-3 |page=39|quote=...states that Elbasan became a sandjak capital right after 1466 but the usually well informed Tursun Beg noted for 1466: "The sultan attached this fortress of Elbasan to the Sancak of Ohrid and returned to Edirne..." }}</ref> In 1467 many Christians from [[Skopje]], Ohrid, [[Serres]] and [[Kastoria]] were forcibly deported to Elbasan.<ref>{{Citation |last=Shukarova |first=Aneta|author2= Mitko B. Panov|author3=Dragi Georgiev|author4=Krste Bitovski|author5=Academician [[Ivan Katardžiev]]|author6=Vanche Stojchev|author7=Novica Veljanovski|author8=Todor Chepreganov |editor=Todor Chepreganov |title= History of the Macedonian People |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/66035878/History-of-The-Macedonian-People-ed-Todor-Chepreganov-Institute-of-National-History-Skopje-2008 |access-date= 26 December 2011|year= 2008 |publisher= Institute of National History |location= Skopje |isbn=978-9989-159-24-4 |oclc=276645834 |page=133 |quote= At the same time or nearly in 1467 the citizens from Skopje, ...were expa-triated to the Albanian city of Konjuh (Elbasan), which was constructedas a fortress to help the fighting against Skender-Bey. ... these Christians from Skopje as Elbasan’s citizens appeared other families from Ohrid, Kastoria and Serres that were compulsorily moved into this city... }}</ref> In the late 17th century, the Ottoman traveler [[Evliya Çelebi]] passed through Elbasan and noted that "all the inhabitants speak Albanian" having knowledge of Turkish with Muslim clergy being literate in Persian, while merchants also used the Greek and "''[[Franks#Legacy|Frankish]]''" languages.<ref name="DankoffElsie179">{{cite book|author1-link=Robert Dankoff|last1=Dankoff|first1=Robert|last2=Elsie|first2=Robert|title=Evliya Çelebi in Albania and Adjacent Regions: Kossovo, Montenegro, Ohrid|year=2000|publisher=Brill|isbn=9789004116245|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fZOfbwAACAAJ&q=Evliya+%C3%87elebi+in+Albania+and+Adjacent+Regions:+Kosovo,+Montenegro,+Ohrid|pages=179}} "Elbasan... All the people speak Albanian. Most also know good Turkish, and the ulema can read Persian. Greek and Frankish are used by the merchants."</ref>

By the end of the 17th century, it had 2,000 inhabitants. The fortress was dismantled by [[Reşid Mehmed Pasha|Reshit Pasha]] in 1832.In 1864, the [[Sanjak of Elbasan]] became a part of [[Monastir Vilayet]]. In the late nineteenth century, Elbasan was inhabited by 3,000 Muslim families and 280 Orthodox Christian families, of which 100 were old Orthodox Albanian families living in the old Christian neighbourhood within the fortress and 180 [[Aromanians|Aromanian]] families residing in the St. Nicholas neighbourhood on the edge of town.<ref name="Koukoudis358">{{cite book|last=Koukoudis|first=Asterios|title=The Vlachs: Metropolis and Diaspora|year=2003|location=Thessaloniki|publisher=Zitros Publications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=01JoAAAAMAAJ&q=first+appeared|isbn=9789607760869|pages=358}} "while at the end of the nineteenth century there were 3,000 Moslem families and 280 Orthodox Christian families. Of these, about 100 old Albanian-speaking Christian families lived in the old Christian quarter in the fortress, while 180 more prosperous Vlach families lived in the St Nicholas district on the outskirts of the town."</ref> At the beginning of the 20th century, it was estimated that 15,000 people lived in Elbasan.<ref>{{cite book|last=Raza|first=Moonis|title=Geographical Dictionary Of The World In The Early 20th Century|year=1906|publisher=Logos Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N2tvuRaSPzAC&q=sanjak+elbassan&pg=PA588|access-date=31 July 2011|page=588|quote=...Pop estimated at 15,000|isbn=9788172680114}}</ref>

In 1909, after the [[Young Turks]] revolution in [[Istanbul]], an [[Albanian National Congress]] was held in Elbasan to study educational and cultural questions. The delegates, all from central and southern Albania, endorsed the decision of the [[Congress of Monastir]], which was held in Monastir (modern [[Bitola]], North Macedonia) to use the Latin alphabet rather than the Arabic script in written [[Albanian language|Albanian]]. Albanians, Turks, Aromunians and [[Sephardic Jews]] were living in Elbasan.

Before the Second World War, Elbasan was a city with a mixture of eastern and medieval buildings, narrow cobbled streets and a large bazaar. There was a clearly defined Muslim settlement within the castle walls, an Aromanian district on the outskirts of the city and several fine mosques and Islamic buildings. At the time the population was about 15,000 people.

[[File:Elbasan - Stadtmauer 3a Tor.jpg|thumb|right|Elbasan Castle]]

The very first teachers' training college in Albania, the [[Shkolla Normale e Elbasanit]], was established in Elbasan. During [[First Balkan War]], it was occupied by [[Serbia]]n troops on 29 November 1912. They withdrew from Elbasan on 25 October 1913 due to United Kingdom and Austria Hungary's ultimatum. The Muslim majority of Elbasan opposed the installation of [[William, Prince of Albania|Prince Wied]] in 1914. Elbasan was occupied successively by [[Serbs]], [[Bulgarians]], [[Austrians]] and [[Italians]] between 1915 and 1918. The Bulgarian army occupied Elbasan on January 29, 1916, during [[Bulgarian occupation of Albania]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Pearson|first=Owen|title=Albania and King Zog: independence, republic and monarchy 1908-1939|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_Sh3y9IMZAC&q=led+by+Themistokli+Germenji&pg=PA103|quote= January 29th; ... Bulgarian troops had also crossed Albanian frontier, and Elbassan in central Albania was occupied by a company of the 23rd Bulgarian Infantry Regiment under Captain Serafimov |access-date= January 11, 2011|year=2004|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-1-84511-013-0|page=103}}</ref> In March 1916 the army of Austria-Hungary took over control of Elbasan.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pearson|first=Owen|title=Albania and King Zog: independence, republic and monarchy 1908-1939|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_Sh3y9IMZAC&q=led+by+Themistokli+Germenji&pg=PA103|quote= March 18th-20th; Austrian troops took possessions of Elbasan ... |access-date= January 11, 2011|year=2004|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-1-84511-013-0|page=103}}</ref> From June 1916 to March 1917 [[Stanislav Kostka Neumann]] fought with the Austrian army there and called his war memoirs about the occupation in ''Elbasan''.<ref>{{in lang|cs}} S.K. Neumann: Elbasan, družstevní nakladatelství "Kniha", knihovna socialistické kultury, svazek III., Praha 1922</ref> Industrial development began in the [[Zog of Albania|Zogist]] period when tobacco and [[ethanol|alcohol]] factories were established.

The city was also noted for its good public buildings, advanced educational provisions, public gardens and timber-built shops. There was much wartime damage, which was followed by an intensive programme of industrial development in the [[Communist]] period that boosted the city to around 75,000 inhabitants. The culmination of this process was the construction of the huge ''Steel of the Party'' ({{langx|sq|Celiku i Partise}}) [[metallurgical]] complex outside the city, in the [[Shkumbini]] valley, built with Chinese assistance in the 1970s. It was emphatically called "The Second National Liberation of Albanian" by [[Enver Hoxha]]. The cost of the complex in environmental impact was high for the Shkumbin valley.<ref name="polluted">{{cite web|url=http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Albania/Elbasan-the-polluted-city-124037|title=Elbasan, Elbasan, the polluted city|last=Rukaj|first=Marjola|access-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> [[Elbasan Railway Station]] was opened in 1950. In 2014, the Albanian government reconstructed former Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium. The renovated [[Elbasan Arena]] became the home stadium of the [[Albania national football team]] and Albania's de facto stadium meeting [[FIFA]]'s criteria.

== Geography ==

The city of Elbasan lies to the north of the river [[Shkumbin]] between the [[Skanderbeg Mountains]] and the [[Myzeqe|Myzeqe Plain]] in central Albania. The municipality of Elbasan consists of the administrative units of [[Bradashesh]], [[Funarë]], [[Gjergjan]], [[Gjinar]], [[Gracen]], [[Labinot-Fushë]], [[Labinot-Mal]], [[Papër]], [[Shirgjan]], [[Shushicë, Elbasan|Shushicë]], [[Tregan]], [[Zavalinë]] and Elbasan.<ref name="PV"/><ref name="Classification">{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=A new Urban–Rural Classification of Albanian Population |url=https://www.instat.gov.al/media/2919/a_new_urban-rural_classification_of_albanian_population.pdf |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114101641/https://www.instat.gov.al/media/2919/a_new_urban-rural_classification_of_albanian_population.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2019 |page=15 |date=May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Law 2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.vendime.al/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/137-2014.pdf |title=Law nr. 115/2014 |language=sq |pages=6368–6369|access-date=25 February 2022 }}</ref> It covers 872.03&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="PV">{{cite web |publisher=Porta Vendore |title=Pashaporta e Bashkisë Elbasan |url=https://portavendore.al/bashkia-elbasan/pasaporta-e-bashkise-elbasan/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924150435/https://portavendore.al/bashkia-elbasan/pasaporta-e-bashkise-elbasan/ |archive-date=24 September 2021 |language=sq |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="municipalitiy area">{{cite web |publisher=Albanian Association of Municipalities (AAM) |title=Bashkia Elbasan |url=https://aam.org.al/en/bashkia-elbasan/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018035344/https://aam.org.al/en/bashkia-elbasan/ |archive-date=18 October 2020 |language=sq |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===

According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], Elbasan has a [[hot-summer Mediterranean climate]] (Csa) with an average annual temperature of {{cvt|13.1|C}}.<ref name="Climate-data">{{cite web |publisher=Climate-Data |title=Climate: Elbasan |url=https://en.climate-data.org/europe/albania/posta-elbasan/posta-elbasan-764510/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921135112/https://en.climate-data.org/europe/albania/posta-elbasan/posta-elbasan-764510/ |archive-date=21 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Weather box 
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Elbasan
| Jan high C = 9.5
| Feb high C = 11.1
| Mar high C = 14.1
| Apr high C = 18.0
| May high C = 22.7
| Jun high C = 27.1
| Jul high C = 29.6
| Aug high C = 29.6
| Sep high C = 25.9
| Oct high C = 20.3
| Nov high C = 14.9
| Dec high C = 10.9
| Jan mean C = 5.9
| Feb mean C = 7.1
| Mar mean C = 9.7
| Apr mean C = 13.2
| May mean C = 17.6
| Jun mean C = 21.6
| Jul mean C = 23.7
| Aug mean C = 23.7
| Sep mean C = 20.3
| Oct mean C = 15.6
| Nov mean C = 11.1
| Dec mean C = 7.4
| Jan low C = 2.4
| Feb low C = 3.6
| Mar low C = 5.4
| Apr low C = 8.5
| May low C = 12.5
| Jun low C = 16.1
| Jul low C = 17.9
| Aug low C = 17.8
| Sep low C = 14.7
| Oct low C = 10.9
| Nov low C = 7.4
| Dec low C = 4.0

|rain color =green
| Jan rain mm  =120
| Feb rain mm  =110
| Mar rain mm  =98
| Apr rain mm  =86
| May rain mm  =75
| Jun rain mm  =50
| Jul rain mm  =32
| Aug rain mm  =41
| Sep rain mm  =66
| Oct rain mm  =104
| Nov rain mm  =156
| Dec rain mm  =145
| year rain mm =
| Jan snow cm  = 0.2
| Feb snow cm  = 0.5
| Mar snow cm  = 0.0
| Apr snow cm  = 0.0
| May snow cm  = 0.0
| Jun snow cm  = 0.0
| Jul snow cm  = 0.0
| Aug snow cm  = 0.0
| Sep snow cm  = 0.0
| Oct snow cm  = 0.0
| Nov snow cm  = 0.0
| Dec snow cm  = 0.1
| year snow cm = 
| Jan rain days  =13
| Feb rain days  =12
| Mar rain days  =13
| Apr rain days  =13
| May rain days  =10
| Jun rain days  =8
| Jul rain days  =5
| Aug rain days  =6
| Sep rain days  =7
| Oct rain days  =9
| Nov rain days  =13
| Dec rain days  =14
| year rain days =
| Jan snow days  =0.7
| Feb snow days  =0.4
| Mar snow days  =0
| Apr snow days  =0
| May snow days  =0
| Jun snow days  =0
| Jul snow days  =0
| Aug snow days  =0
| Sep snow days  =0
| Oct snow days  =0
| Nov snow days  =0
| Dec snow days  =0.3
| year snow days =

| Jan humidity    =74
| Feb humidity    =72
| Mar humidity    =69
| Apr humidity    =69
| May humidity    =66
| Jun humidity    =64
| Jul humidity    =58
| Aug humidity    =60
| Sep humidity    =66
| Oct humidity    =70
| Nov humidity    =76
| Dec humidity    =76
| year humidity   =

| Jan sun  =117.8
| Feb sun  =124.3
| Mar sun  =167.4
| Apr sun  =201
| May sun  =269.7
| Jun sun  =309
| Jul sun  =368.9
| Aug sun  =319.3
| Sep sun  =255
| Oct sun  =204.6
| Nov sun  =135
| Dec sun  =105.4
| year sun =
| Jand sun  =3.8
| Febd sun  =4.4
| Mard sun  =5.4
| Aprd sun  =6.7
| Mayd sun  =8.7
| Jund sun  =10.3
| Juld sun  =11.9
| Augd sun  =10.3
| Sepd sun  =8.5
| Octd sun  =6.6
| Novd sun  =4.5
| Decd sun  =3.4
| yeard sun =
| Jan light = 9.6
| Feb light = 10.7
| Mar light = 12
| Apr light = 13.3
| May light = 14.5
| Jun light = 15.1
| Jul light = 14.8
| Aug light = 13.8
| Sep light = 12.5
| Oct light = 11.1
| Nov light = 9.9
| Dec light = 9.3
| year light= 
| Jan uv  =3
| Feb uv  =4
| Mar uv  =6
| Apr uv  =8
| May uv  =9
| Jun uv  =10
| Jul uv  =10
| Aug uv  =9
| Sep uv  =8
| Oct uv  =6
| Nov uv  =4
| Dec uv  =2
| year uv =
| source = Climate data,<ref name="Climate-data"/> Weather2Visit(Rain-Sun-Humidity<ref>{{cite web |title=Elbasan monthly weather averages |url=https://www.weather2visit.com/europe/albania/elbasan.htm |website=weather 2 visit |access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>), Weather Atlas(Daylight-Snow<ref>{{cite web |title=Climate and monthly weather forecast Elbasan, Albania |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/albania/elbasan-climate |website=Weather atlas |access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>), Nomadseason(UV<ref>{{cite web |title=UV Index in Elbasan, Albania |url=https://nomadseason.com/uv-index/albania/elbasan/elbasan.html |quote=Last updated: February 4, 2024|website=nomadseason |access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>)
}}

== Economy ==

[[File:Elbasan from South.jpg|thumb|Elbasan from South]]

Industrial development began during the [[Zog of Albania|Zog]] regime with the production of [[tobacco]] and [[alcoholic beverage]]s, and culminated during the [[communist]] regime. The city gained prominence after the [[China|Chinese]] built a [[steel mill]] in 1974. One travel writer relayed from conversation that during the communist regime, "almost everyone in the country seemed to have a gun, likely manufactured by this Chinese-financed factory in Elbasan," and the "country did not seem to have tractors, ploughs, or sewing machines."<ref>{{cite book|first=Paul|last=Theroux|title=The Pillars of Hercules: A Grand Tour of the Mediterranean|publisher=Fawcett Columbine|location=New York|date=1995|page=272|isbn=0449910857}}</ref>

The city also hosts a [[ferrochrome]] [[AlbChrome#Facilities|smelter]], which was commissioned in 1989 by the communist regime and now is owned by the [[Balfin Group]].

The city was a hub for heavy industry during the communist regime, mostly metallurgic and metal processing factories. All these industries caused big [[pollution]] and Elbasan is considered today to be one of the most polluted cities of Albania.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-26 |title=Poisoned legacy of Albania's steel city |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250326-poisoned-legacy-of-albania-s-steel-city |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>

In recent years Elbasan, like the rest of Albania, has had to deal not only with local pollution, but also with what environmentalists call "imported pollution", because of the waste imported from abroad for the recycling process in private companies.<ref name="polluted"/>

== Demography ==
{{historical populations|1950|16492|1960|29786|1969|39100|1979|61200|1989|80650|2001|86148|2011|78703|2023|66834|align=right|cols=1|source=<ref>{{cite web |title=Cities of Albania|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/albania-cities.htm}}</ref><ref name="2023pop" />}}
The population of the municipality of Elbasan as of the 2023 census is 115,101, of which 66,834 is in the municipal unit.<ref name="2023pop" />

== Culture ==

[[File:Elbasan alb.jpg|thumb|right|Main Boulevard in Elbasan]][[File:Elbasan 2.jpg|thumb|left|Traditional side street]][[File:Königsmoschee Elbasan.jpg|thumb|Portico and entrance in [[King Mosque, Elbasan|King Mosque]]]]
[[File:Katolicky kostol elbasan albansko.JPG|thumb|Catholic Church]]

Elbasan has been occupied by several different groups, including the [[Serbs]], [[Bulgarians]], [[Austrians]] and [[Italians]]. Elbasan remained a center of [[Christianity]] in Albania even after the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] occupation. After the 1908 [[Congress of Monastir]] (in modern [[Bitola]], North Macedonia) decided to use the [[Latin alphabet]] for the written [[Albanian language]], [[Islam|Muslim]] clerics influenced by the [[Ottoman Empire]] held various demonstrations in favor of the [[Arabic script]] in Elbasan.

In the center of the city, is located the [[Saint Mary (Elbasan)|Saint Mary]] Orthodox Church. The church was built in 1830 on the foundations of an older church, which had partially burned in 1819. Paintings and frescoes of [[Onufri]], restored by [[David Selenicasi]] and [[Kostadin Shelcani]] can still be seen. The church has been an important religious and cultural center for the Albanian language. [[Teodor Haxhifilipi]], [[Kostandin Kristoforidhi]], and [[Aleksandër Xhuvani]] have served in the church. They are the authors of translations into Albanian of many psalms. The church building served as the first Albanian school of Elbasan in modern times, which opened in 1909.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kishaautoqefale.webs.com/historiaekishs.htm |title=From the Saint Mary website |publisher=Kishaautoqefale.webs.com |access-date=2013-08-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305094001/http://kishaautoqefale.webs.com/historiaekishs.htm |archive-date=2012-03-05 }}</ref>

Other orthodox churches in the [[Elbasan District]] include the Mameli church (built in the 17th century), the Saint Nicholas church ({{langx|sq|Shen Kolli}}) in  [[Shelcan]] (built in 1554), the Saint Nicholas church in [[Valesh]] (built in 1604), the [[Saints Cosmas and Damian]] church in [[Sterstan]] (built in the 18th century), the Saint Michael ({{langx|sq|Shen Mehilli}}) church in [[Shalës]] (built in the 17th century), the Saint Mary church in [[Dragot]] (built in the 18th century), the Saint Nicholas church of Elbasan (17th century), and the Elbasan [[Athanasius of Alexandriane|Saint Athanasius]] church of Elbasan (built in 1554).

About 7&nbsp;km away from Elbasan is the location of the orthodox [[Saint John Vladimir's Church]] ([[Albanian language|Albanian]]: ''Kisha e Shën Gjon Vlladimirit'') built by Albanian monarch [[Karl Thopia]] and his son [[Gjergj Thopia]] in 1381. Notably, Saint [[Jovan Vladimir]] was buried at the church until 1995 when his remains were transferred to the Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana, being brought back to the monastery only for his feast days.<ref>{{cite web|last = Milosavljević|first = Presbyter Čedomir|script-title = sr:Св. Јован Владимир|publisher = Pravoslavna Crkvena Opština Barska|date = September 22, 2007|language = sr|url = http://www.pravoslavnacobar.org/Sv.Jovan%20Vladimir.htm|access-date = 2008-01-03|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080111122241/http://www.pravoslavnacobar.org/Sv.Jovan%20Vladimir.htm|archive-date = January 11, 2008|url-status = dead|df = mdy-all}}</ref>

Elbasan is home to the National Autocephalous Albanian Church ({{langx|sq|Kisha Autoqefale Kombetare}}), a relatively new Orthodox Autocephalous church that split from the [[Albanian Orthodox Church]] in 1995. Father Nikolle Marku is the leader of the new denomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kishaautoqefale.webs.com/konfliktimekishngreke.htm |title=Church's official website |publisher=Kishaautoqefale.webs.com |access-date=2013-08-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305093816/http://kishaautoqefale.webs.com/konfliktimekishngreke.htm |archive-date=2012-03-05 }}</ref>

Elbasan is also home to a Catholic church.

Elbasan has four museums:<ref name="elbasani.gov.al">{{cite web|url=http://www.elbasani.gov.al/ |title=Municipality website |publisher=Elbasani.gov.al |access-date=2013-08-10}}</ref>
*Ethnographic Museum (1982) held in an 18th-century building
*"Kostandin Kristoforidhi" house (started as a museum in 1978)
*''Shkolla Normale'' Museum
*War Museum

Elbasan is home to the [[Summer Festival, Albania|Summer Day]] festivities, a [[pagan]] feast celebrating the end of winter and the coming of [[summer]]. ''Ballokume'', a kind of cookie made with [[butter]] and cornmeal among other ingredients, is the traditional dessert served on this day. Since 2004, it has become a national holiday being celebrated nationwide, in all Albania.

== Notable people ==

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Sedefkar Mehmed Agha]]<ref>{{cite book |title=A history of Ottoman architecture. |publisher=Thames & Hudson |isbn=0500274290 |url=https://www.abebooks.com/9780500274293/History-Ottoman-Architecture-Godfrey-Goodwin-0500274290/plp |language=en}}</ref> – or Sedefqar Mehmeti of Elbasan, architect of the [[Sultan Ahmed Mosque]] (the "Blue Mosque") in Istanbul.
*[[Shefqet Vërlaci]] – Albanian politician.
*[[Ibrahim Biçakçiu]] – Albanian landowner, Axis collaborator and Prime Minister of Albania
*[[Aqif Pasha Elbasani]] – Albanian political figure
*[[Lef Nosi]] – Albanian politician, scholar and patriot
*[[Theodhor Haxhifilipi]] – Albanian scholar, inventor of the [[Todhri script]].
*[[Teki Biçoku]] – Albanian geologist and former member and president of the Academy of Sciences of Albania.
*[[Qemal Karaosmani]] – He served as General Secretary of the Provisional Government of Albania
*[[Thoma Deliana]] –  Albanian politician of Communist Albania
*[[Sokrat Dodbiba]] –  Albanian economist and politician who served as Minister of Finance of Albania during 1943–44
*[[Pirro Dodbiba]] –  Albanian politician of the Albanian Party of Labour (PPSh).
*[[Shefqet Daiu]] – Signatories of the Albanian Declaration of Independence
*[[Mahir Domi]] – Albanian linguist, professor, and academic
*[[Shefqet Stringa]] – Banking pioneer in Albania
*[[Abdullah Pashe Taushani]] – Member of the Ali Pasha Tepelena's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces
*[[Eva Murati]] –  Albanian actress and TV host
*[[Astrit Çerma]] — Film and Theatre Actor
*[[Trejsi Sejdini]] –  Miss Universe Albania
*[[Lindita Idrizi]] –  Albanian model
*[[Saimir Pirgu]] –  Albanian international opera singer 
*[[Miriam Cani]] –  Albanian singer-songwriter and television host
*[[Armando Sadiku]] –  Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Levante in La Liga and the Albania national team
*[[Elton Basriu]] –  Albanian professional footballer
*[[Kostandin Kristoforidhi]] –   Albanian translator and scholar
*[[Fatos Kongoli]] –  Recently become one of the most forceful and convincing representatives of contemporary Albanian prose
*[[Klara Buda]] –  Albanian journalist and writer
*[[Luljeta Lleshanaku]] –  Albanian poet
*[[Dhimitër Shuteriqi]] –  Albanian scholar, literary historian, and writer.
*[[Iliriana Sulkuqi]] –  Award-winning Albanian poet and journalist
*[[Visarion Xhuvani]] –  Primate of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania from 1929 to 1937
*[[Ardit Hila]]— Albanian footballer who currently plays for KF Tirana 
*[[Mirketa Çobani]]- former Albanian actress {{div col end}}

== International relations ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Albania}}

Elbasan is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Dunaújváros]], Hungary<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Dunaújváros |title=Testvérvárosaink |date=9 May 2011 |url=https://dunaujvaros.hu/testvervarosaink |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609225715/https://dunaujvaros.hu/testvervarosaink |archive-date=9 June 2021 |language=hu |url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Osijek]], Croatia<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Grad Osijek |title=Gradovi prijatelji |url=https://www.osijek.hr/gradska-uprava/gradski-uredi-odjeli-i-sluzbe/ured-gradonacelnika/medunarodna-suradnja/gradovi-prijatelji/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817074852/https://www.osijek.hr/gradska-uprava/gradski-uredi-odjeli-i-sluzbe/ured-gradonacelnika/medunarodna-suradnja/gradovi-prijatelji/ |archive-date=17 August 2021 |language=hr |url-status=live}}</ref>

Elbasan also has cooperation and friendship relationships with:
*{{flagicon|MNE}} [[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]], Montenegro<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Opština Bar |title=Gradovi pobratimi |url=https://bar.me/gradovi-pobratimi/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905094528/https://bar.me/gradovi-pobratimi/ |archive-date=5 September 2021 |language=cnr |url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Liège]], Belgium<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Liege |title=Jumelages et partenaires |url=https://www.liege.be/fr/vie-communale/services-communaux/international/jumelages-et-partenaires |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924155038/https://www.liege.be/fr/vie-communale/services-communaux/international/jumelages-et-partenaires |archive-date=24 September 2021 |language=fr |url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of mayors of Elbasan]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Elbasan|collapsible=collapsed}}
*[https://elbasani.gov.al/ elbasani.gov.al] – Official Website {{in lang|sq}}

{{Elbasan}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{Municipalities of Albania}}
{{Elbasan County}}
{{Elbasan div}}
{{Cultural Monuments in Elbasan}}
{{Illyrians}}}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elbasan}}
[[Category:Elbasan| ]]
[[Category:1466 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Cities in Albania]]
[[Category:Administrative units of Elbasan]]
[[Category:Municipalities in Elbasan County]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Albania]]
[[Category:Illyrian Albania]]
[[Category:Cities in ancient Illyria]]
[[Category:Iron and steel mills in Albania]]
[[Category:Smelters of Albania]]