View source for Peshkopi

{{Infobox settlement AL
| type               = mu
| official_name      = Peshkopi
| other_name          = Peshkopia
| flag               = Flag of Dibër.gif
| emblem             = Stema e Bashkisë Dibër.svg
| skyline            = <!-- images and maps  -----------> {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| perrow            = 1/2/2/2/2
| total_width       = 250
| image1 = Peshkopia from the air.jpg
| image2 = Peshkopia, Albania – Palace of Culture.jpg
| image3 = Peshkopi, Albania 2018-04 01.jpg
| image4 = Peshkopi from the road into dobrove.jpg
| image5 = Kisha e Shpërfytyrimit Herbel.jpg
| image6 = Dibra.jpg
| footer = From the top, Aerial view of Peshkopi, Peshkopi Palace of Culture, Town centre, View of Peshkopi from the road the neighborhood of Dobrovë, Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Herbel, Peshkopi, South view of Peshkopi to the Drin river with fog in the Albanian part}}
| caption            = 
| county             = Dibër
| municipality       = [[Dibër, Albania|Dibër]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|41|00|N|20|25|41|E|type:adm1st_region:AL_dim:100000|display=inline,title}}
| area_munic         = 937.88
| elevation          = 651
| elevation_min      =
| elevation_max      =
| 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=1.92| population unit    = 14710
| postal code        = 8301
| area code          = 0218
| website            = [http://www.peshkopia.com www.peshkopia.com]
}}
'''Peshkopi''' ({{IPA|sq|pɛʃkɔpi}}; {{lang-sq-definite|Peshkopia}}) is a town located in the mountainous regions of northeastern [[Albania]], in [[Dibër County]]. It is the capital of both the county ({{langx|sq|qark}}) and the district ({{langx|sq|rreth}}) of Dibër, and is the only county regional capital in Albania which does not share its name with its county. The population as of the 2023 census is 14,710.<ref name="2023pop" />{{historical populations|1950|1427|1960|3514|1969|5600|1979|7800|1989|12320|2001|14017|2011|13251|2023|14710|align=right|cols=1|source=<ref>{{cite web |title=Cities of Albania|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/albania-cities.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Albania: All places/communes|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/albania-census1989.htm}}</ref><ref name="2023pop" />}}

Peshkopi lies east of the [[Black Drin]] river, about {{convert|187|km}} northeast of [[Tirana]], the capital of [[Albania]], and {{convert|20|km}} from the [[North Macedonia|Macedonian border]]. The town sits {{convert|651|m|ft}} above sea level. 

Known for its thermal waters, year-round agriculture, and natural beauty, Peshkopi is also developing a reputation as tourism destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, mountain biking, and rock climbing. The third tallest mountain in the Balkans, [[Korab (mountain)|Mount Korabi]], and the birthplace of Albania's national hero, [[Skanderbeg|Gjerg Kastrioti]], are nearby heritages sites. The district also contains large mineral ore deposits such as chromium, sulfur, and marble. It is also an important industrial center in Albania, producing many agricultural products for Albania.

==History==
The name of Peshkopi is derived from the word ''peshkop'' meaning ''bishop'' in [[Albanian language|Albanian]] and from ''Episkopè'' in [[Greek language|Greek]]. Bulgarian maps of the eleventh century {{citation needed|date=February 2023}} show the town under the name ''Presolengrad''. The region of Dibër was subsumed under the [[Archbishopric of Ohrid]] in 1019, and one year later received the status of an episcopate with its center in the Bulke ward of Peshkopi, located in what is now the neighborhood of Dobrovë. The central church of the Dibër Episcopate was that of St. Stephen ({{langx|sq|Kisha e Shqefnit}}). The seat of the Episcopate would later be relocated, but the town of Peshkopi retained its name.<ref name="murra">{{cite web | url = http://www.djmenny.com/rea_janar_2010.pdf | title = Qyteti i Peshkopisë nga lashtësia në ditët tona | trans-title = The City of Peshkopi from Antiquity to the Present Day | language = sq | author = Moisi Murra | date = January 2010 | work = Rruga e Arbërit | page = 8 | access-date = 2010-02-15 | ref = murra | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110710140044/http://www.djmenny.com/rea_janar_2010.pdf | archive-date = 2011-07-10 }}</ref> Peshkopi is referenced as early as the fifteenth century under the name ''Peskopia''.<ref>{{cite book | last = Sinani | page = 248 }}</ref>

The region today known as Dibër was inhabited in pre-Christian times by the Illyrian tribe known to the Romans as ''[[Penestae (tribe)|Penestae]]'', Πενέσται in [[Ancient Greek]] ({{langx|sq|penestë}}).<ref name="sinani">{{cite book |last=Sinani |first=Rakip |title=Dibra dhe dibranët në faqet e historisë |publisher=KTISTALINA-KH |year=2005 |isbn=99943-625-8-5 |location=Tiranë |page=20 |language=sq |trans-title=Dibër and the Dibrans in the Pages of History}}</ref>

By the beginning of the sixteenth century, the [[Ottoman Empire]] had completed its conquest of Albania.<ref>{{cite book | last = Sinani | page = 39}}</ref> Under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, Peshkopi (then ''Debre-i Zir'', which meant "Lower Debre" in [[Persian language|Persian]]) was a small market town, overshadowed by the larger and more flamboyant [[Debar]] ({{langx|sq|Dibra e Madhe}}, "Greater Dibër"), which today lies just over the [[North Macedonia|Macedonian]] border. The population of Peshkopi was almost completely Muslim by 1583.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} In 1873 an Ottoman barracks was built in Peshkopi, housing up to 8,000 soldiers.<ref name="murra" />

The Dibër region, including Peshkopi, took part in the uprisings against Ottoman authority that were occurring throughout Albania in the early 1910s. Albanian armed bands ({{langx|sq|çeta}}) captured Peshkopi from the Ottomans on August 16, 1912.<ref>{{cite book | last = Sinani | page = 138}}.</ref>

In the aftermath of the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, a [[Serbia]]n army occupied Dibër and entered Peshkopi in early December 1912. Albanian forces retook the city on September 20, 1913.<ref>{{cite book | last = Sinani | pages = 150–160}}</ref> [[Bulgaria]]n army soldiers invaded Peshkopi on January 1, 1916. The [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]], an ally of Bulgaria, brought an army to Peshkopi on April 12, 1916, and engaged in punitive house-burnings and executions throughout the region in an attempt to quell local resistance. The Bulgarians and Austro-Hungarians departed the area in September 1918.<ref>{{cite book | last = Sinani | pages = 168–170}}</ref>

[[Italian occupation of Albania|Italian forces invaded Albania]] in 1939, reaching Peshkopi on April 15.<ref>{{cite news | title = Gazeta Shqiptare | date = 1939-04-16}} Cited in {{cite book | last = Sinani | page = 209}}</ref> Albanian Communist partisans retook Peshkopi on September 9, 1943. The following October, the partisans defeated [[Balli Kombëtar]] forces in an armed battle for control of the city. In July 1944, German forces occupied the city, but were expelled later that same month. Fighting continued in the Dibër region until early September, leaving the Communist-dominated [[National Liberation Movement (Albania)|National Liberation Army]] ({{langx|sq|Ushtria Nacionalçlirimtare}}) in control.<ref>{{cite book | last = Sinani | pages = 221–240}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Peshkopi is located in northeastern Albania, in the Dibër County. It is situated in the valley of the Drin river, at the foot of the Korab mountain range. The town is the administrative center of the district and has a population of around 14,000 people. The Korab mountain range, which is one of the highest ranges in the Balkans, is located to the east of the town. The Drin River, which is the longest river in the country, flows through the valley and provides water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The valley is also known for its fertile soil and is an important agricultural area, producing crops such as corn, wheat, and vegetables.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| width        = auto
| collapsed    =
| open         =
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| trace        =  
| location     =Peshkopi  
| Jan record high C =19.4
| Feb record high C =22.0
| Mar record high C =27.0
| Apr record high C =30.0
| May record high C =34.0
| Jun record high C =37.8
| Jul record high C =40.4
| Aug record high C =41.4
| Sep record high C =36.0
| Oct record high C =32.4
| Nov record high C =26.0
| Dec record high C =21.2
| year record high C =
| Jan high C  =6.1
| Feb high C  =10.0
| Mar high C  =13.3
| Apr high C  =18.1
| May high C  =21.9
| Jun high C  =27.0
| Jul high C  =31.2
| Aug high C  =31.0
| Sep high C  =26.0
| Oct high C  =20.8
| Nov high C  =13.1
| Dec high C  =7.4
| Jan mean C  =1.9
| Feb mean C  =4.9
| Mar mean C  =7.8
| Apr mean C  =12.1
| May mean C  =16.0
| Jun mean C  =20.6
| Jul mean C  =23.5
| Aug mean C  =23.7
| Sep mean C  =19.1
| Oct mean C  =15.3
| Nov mean C  =8.4
| Dec mean C  =3.2
| Jan low C  =-2.4
| Feb low C  =-0.2
| Mar low C  =2.4
| Apr low C  =6.0
| May low C  =10.7
| Jun low C  =14.2
| Jul low C  =15.8
| Aug low C  =16.3
| Sep low C  =12.2
| Oct low C  =9.8
| Nov low C  =3.7
| Dec low C  =-1.0
| Jan record low C  =-18.0
| Feb record low C  =-16.0
| Mar record low C  =-10.0
| Apr record low C  =-6.0
| May record low C  =0.0
| Jun record low C  =5.2
| Jul record low C  =7.8
| Aug record low C  =8.8
| Sep record low C  =0.0
| Oct record low C  =-3.0
| Nov record low C  =-8.6
| Dec record low C  =-17.0
| year record low C =

| precipitation colour  = green
| Jan precipitation mm  =69.9
| Feb precipitation mm  =40.9
| Mar precipitation mm  =54.1
| Apr precipitation mm  =43.9
| May precipitation mm  =52.9
| Jun precipitation mm  =21.1
| Jul precipitation mm  =16.3
| Aug precipitation mm  =11.5
| Sep precipitation mm  =43.4
| Oct precipitation mm  =49.0
| Nov precipitation mm  =80.8
| Dec precipitation mm  =67.2
| year precipitation mm =

| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days  =12.1
| Feb precipitation days  =9.6
| Mar precipitation days  =11.1
| Apr precipitation days  =10.3
| May precipitation days  =11.3
| Jun precipitation days  =6.9
| Jul precipitation days  =4.6
| Aug precipitation days  =4.4
| Sep precipitation days  =8.7
| Oct precipitation days  =7.2
| Nov precipitation days  =11.1
| Dec precipitation days  =10.3
| year precipitation days =

| unit snow days =
| Jan snow days  =5.1
| Feb snow days  =4.2
| Mar snow days  =2.8
| Apr snow days  =1.2
| May snow days  =0.1
| Jun snow days  =0
| Jul snow days  =0
| Aug snow days  =0
| Sep snow days  =0
| Oct snow days  =0.1
| Nov snow days  =1.1
| Dec snow days  =2.6
| year snow days =

|source = MeteoManz (May 2011- June 2025)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.meteomanz.com/sy3?l=1&cou=6230&ind=13619&m1=01&y1=2000&m2=12&y2=2025 |title=Peshkopi Data by months |website=Meteomanz |access-date= 8 July 2025}}</ref>
}}

==Education==
Peshkopi has a number of primary and secondary schools, which provide education to children in the town and surrounding areas. The schools offer a range of subjects including math, science, language, and social studies. Many of them also have extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and art programs. Overall, education is highly valued in Peshkopi and the government is continuously investing in the development of the educational system in the town.

===Tertiary===
Peshkopi briefly had a branch of [[Aleksandër Moisiu University]]. It was closed in 2017 by order of the national Ministry of Education for alleged failure to meet standards.

===Secondary (grades 10-12)===
* Said Najdeni High School
* Nazmi Rushiti Professional School

===Elementary/middle (grades 1-9)===
* Selim Alliu
* Demir Gashi

==Tourism==
[[File:Lura Liqeni i Lulëve.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Lure National Park|Lure-Dejes Mt National Park]]]]
The main form of tourism in the region is mountain tourism, due to the hilly terrain and extensive forest. The district of Dibra is home to two of the thirteen [[List of national parks in Albania|national parks in Albania]], [[Lurë National Park]], and [[Korab-Koritnik Nature Park]], which offer a variety of outdoor activities including climbing, walking, skiing, trekking, picnics, hunting, kayaking, etc.

The [[museum]], located beside the general secondary school, houses a collection of local costumes, carpets, kitchen equipment and filigree jewelry, as well as a number of models of local architecture.

Elez Isufi Boulevard is a pedestrian-only street in the middle of Peshkopi lined with [[Tilia cordata|linden]] ({{langx|sq|bli}}) trees. The street is paved with stone from non-native stone from Berat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2021-07-09 |title="Zhvishet" bulevardi "Elez Isufi" në Peshkopi, pllakat dëmtohen shumë shpejt pas vendosjes |url=https://mattv.al/zhvishet-bulevardi-elez-isufi-ne-peshkopi-pllakat-demtohen-shume-shpejt-pas-vendosjes/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Mat Televizion |language=en-US}}</ref>

Thermal mineral water springs and sulphur baths ({{langx|sq|llixha}}) in the vicinity of Peshkopi are a draw for seasonal tourism, primarily from within Albania, but also to a lesser extent from neighboring countries. They are reputed to alleviate some health issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blue-albania.com/GeneralInfo34-DIBRA.htm|title=Blue Albania - We help you to explore Albania... - Portali me i madh turistik Shqiptar|website=BlueAlbania|access-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721082423/http://www.blue-albania.com/GeneralInfo34-DIBRA.htm|archive-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> The baths are located a short distance east of the city, upstream along the creek which runs through the middle of Peshkopi.

==Sports==
{{main|KF Korabi Peshkopi}}
The main sport played in Peshkopi is [[Football (soccer)|football]]. The city's main team is [[KF Korabi Peshkopi]] and its home stadium is [[Korabi Stadium]] with a capacity of 6,000 spectators. The multidisciplinary club's home arena is the [[Bashkim Lala Sports Palace]], which has a capacity of over 2,000 spectators. KF Korabi currently plays in the [[Albanian First Division]]. They were runners-up in the 1961, [[2015–16 Albanian First Division]] going in to the [[Albanian Superliga]].

==Transportation==
[[File:SH6-AL.svg|thumb|right|State Road 6]]Peshkopi is an important transportation hub, located at the crossroads of several important roads connecting Albania with Kosovo and North Macedonia. The town is served by the Rinas Mother Teresa International Airport in the capital city of Tirana, which is located around 200&nbsp;km to the west of Peshkopi. There are also regular bus services connecting the town with Tirana and Durres.

===Bus===
Peshkopi is served by bus lines to and from [[Tirana]] and [[Durrës]]. Buses typically depart in the morning on a fixed schedule. There are also minibuses and vans ({{langx|sq|furgona}}) serving a wider set of destinations, which depart when sufficiently full. Minibuses to Tirana and Durrës are generally somewhat more expensive than the equivalent bus route. 

===Highways===
The main road to Peshkopi is SH6 (State Road 6). A new highway called the [[Arbër Highway]] ({{langx|sq|Rruga e Arbërit}}) is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in Spring 2023. The 200&nbsp;km road will link [[Tirana]] with [[Debar]], [[North Macedonia]] and will connect with SH6.

===Train===
There is no train service to Peshkopi.

==Notable people==
* [[Gëzim Alpion]] - Academic
* [[Cen Elezi]] - Bayraktar of Dibra
* [[Bashkim Gazidede]]- Politician
* [[Elez Isufi]] - Nationalist figure
* Denisa Kola - [[Miss Albania]] 2003
* [[Gentjan Manuka]] - Footballer
* [[Elvis Prençi]] - Footballer
* [[Symir Zuna]] - WWII fighter
* [[Qazim Laçi]] - Footballer
* Hasan Çipuri - Academic
* Qazim Hoxha - Military Official

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{commons category|Peshkopia|Peshkopi}}

==External links==
* [https://visitdiber.com/ Visit Diber Official Tourism Portal]
* [http://www.dibra.gov.al Municipality of Diber Official Site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140224060241/http://peshkopiasot.com/  Peshkopia City Portal]

{{Cities of Albania}}
{{Dibër County}}
{{Dibër div}}

[[Category:Gegëri]]
[[Category:Former municipalities in Dibër County]]
[[Category:Administrative units of Dibër (municipality)]]
[[Category:Towns in Albania]]