Dropull
Encyclopedia
Dropull is a predominantly Greek
-inhabited region in Gjirokastër District
, in southern Albania
. The region stretches from south of the city of Gjirokastër
to the Greek-Albanian border, along the Drinos river. The region's villages are part of the Greek "minority zone" recognized by the Albanian government, in which live majorities of ethnic Greeks. Dropull is divided into two municipalities: Dropull i Sipërm
(Upper Dropull) and Dropull i Poshtëm
(Lower Dropull).
was excavated, in Vodhinë, with strong similarities to the grave circles at Mycenae
, showing a common ancestral link with the Myceneans
of southern Greece
. In classical antiquity
, the area was inhabited by the Greek
tribe of the Chaonians
.
From the Roman period
there was a fortified settlement named Hadrianoupolis in the region, named after the Roman emperor Hadrian
. The settlement was built on a strategic spot in the valley of the river Drinos near the modern village of Sofratika, 11 kilimetres south of Gjirokastër. During the 6th century the Byzantine emperor Justinian I
, as part of his fortification plans against barbarian invasions, moved the settlement 4 kilometers southeast in the modern village of Peshkëpi, in order to gain a more secure position. The city is also referred in Byzantine sources as Ioustinianoupolis. Today, ruins of the fortifications are still visible, as are the aqueduct and a medieval Orthodox Christian
church.
During the 11th century the city was named Dryinoupolis, a name possibly deriving from its former name or from the nearby river. It was also, from the 5th century, the see of a bishopric (initially part of the Diocese of Nicopolis
, Naupactus
and then Ioannina
).
The bishopric of Dryinoupolis included the region of modern southwest Albania and from the 16th century its center was Gjirokastër. At the end of the 19th century, many inhabitants migrated to the United States.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
-inhabited region in Gjirokastër District
Gjirokastër District
The District of Gjirokastër is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania. It has a population of 56,720 containing a large Greek minority, and an area of 1,137 km². It is in the south of the country, and its capital is Gjirokastër...
, in southern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. The region stretches from south of the city of Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
to the Greek-Albanian border, along the Drinos river. The region's villages are part of the Greek "minority zone" recognized by the Albanian government, in which live majorities of ethnic Greeks. Dropull is divided into two municipalities: Dropull i Sipërm
Dropull i Sipërm
Dropull i Sipërm is a municipality in the Gjirokastër District, Gjirokastër County, southern Albania, part of the Dropull region. The municipality is inhabited by ethnic Greeks.- Settlements :*Bodrishtë*Bularat*Dritë*Jorgucat*Kërrë*Klishar*Kakavijë...
(Upper Dropull) and Dropull i Poshtëm
Dropull i Poshtëm
Dropull i Poshtëm is a municipality in the Gjirokastër District, Gjirokastër County, southern Albania, part of the Dropull region. The municipality is inhabited by ethnic Greeks.- Settlements :*Derviçan*Dhuvjan*Frashtan*Glinë*Goranxi*Goricë*Grapsh...
(Lower Dropull).
History
During the Middle Helladic period (2100-1550 BC), a double tumulusTumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
was excavated, in Vodhinë, with strong similarities to the grave circles at Mycenae
Mycenae
Mycenae is an archaeological site in Greece, located about 90 km south-west of Athens, in the north-eastern Peloponnese. Argos is 11 km to the south; Corinth, 48 km to the north...
, showing a common ancestral link with the Myceneans
Mycenaean Greece
Mycenaean Greece was a cultural period of Bronze Age Greece taking its name from the archaeological site of Mycenae in northeastern Argolis, in the Peloponnese of southern Greece. Athens, Pylos, Thebes, and Tiryns are also important Mycenaean sites...
of southern Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. In classical antiquity
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
, the area was inhabited by the Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
tribe of the Chaonians
Chaonians
The Chaonians were an ancient Greek tribe that inhabited the region of Epirus located in the north-west of modern Greece and southern Albania. On their southern frontier lay another Epirote kingdom, that of the Molossians, to their southwest stood the kingdom of the Thesprotians, and to their...
.
From the Roman period
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
there was a fortified settlement named Hadrianoupolis in the region, named after the Roman emperor Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
. The settlement was built on a strategic spot in the valley of the river Drinos near the modern village of Sofratika, 11 kilimetres south of Gjirokastër. During the 6th century the Byzantine emperor Justinian I
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
, as part of his fortification plans against barbarian invasions, moved the settlement 4 kilometers southeast in the modern village of Peshkëpi, in order to gain a more secure position. The city is also referred in Byzantine sources as Ioustinianoupolis. Today, ruins of the fortifications are still visible, as are the aqueduct and a medieval Orthodox Christian
Orthodox Christianity
The term Orthodox Christianity may refer to:* the Eastern Orthodox Church and its various geographical subdivisions...
church.
During the 11th century the city was named Dryinoupolis, a name possibly deriving from its former name or from the nearby river. It was also, from the 5th century, the see of a bishopric (initially part of the Diocese of Nicopolis
Nicopolis
Nicopolis — or Actia Nicopolis — was an ancient city of Epirus, founded 31 BC by Octavian in memory of his victory over Antony and Cleopatra at Actium the previous year. It was later the capital of Epirus Vetus...
, Naupactus
Naupactus
Naupactus or Nafpaktos , is a town and a former municipality in Aetolia-Acarnania, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Nafpaktia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit...
and then Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
).
The bishopric of Dryinoupolis included the region of modern southwest Albania and from the 16th century its center was Gjirokastër. At the end of the 19th century, many inhabitants migrated to the United States.
Villages
Some of the villages of the region are:
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Notable people
- Spiro KseraSpiro KseraSpiro Ksera is an Albanian politician of Greek ethnicity. He is the current 'Minister of Labor, Social Affairs & Equal Opportunities' of Albania...
, politician. - Lefter MilloLefter MilloLefter Millo was a former football midfielder. He started his carer at Luftetari,and later played most notably for Partizani Tirana from 1986 to 1990 and Larissa from 1991 to 1996....
, famous soccer player, capped with AlbaniaAlbania national football teamThe Albania national association football team is the national association football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania...
. - Vasilios SahinisVasilios SahinisVasilios Sachinis , was the leader of the Northern Epirote Liberation Front .Sachinis was born at the villages of Dhovjan in Dropull area and became a prosperous businessman in Gjirokastër...
, leader of the Northern Epirote Liberation OrganizationNorthern Epirus Liberation FrontThe Northern Epirus Liberation Front also called Northern Epirote Liberation Organization , was an ethnic Greek resistance group that operated in areas of southern Albania during the Italian and German occupation of Albania...
. - Kosmas ThesprotosKosmas ThesprotosKosmas Thesprotos or Kosmas o Thesprotos was a Greek scholar and theologian.- Life :Kosmas was born in the village of Jergucat, Dropull region in modern southern Albania, then Ottoman Empire. In 1805 he became a priest...
, scholar. - Tasos Vidouris, poet.