Burrel | |
|---|---|
 Burrel City Center | |
.svg)  Burrel | |
| Coordinates:41°36′30″N20°00′40″E / 41.60833°N 20.01111°E /41.60833; 20.01111 | |
| Country |  Albania |
| County | Dibër |
| Municipality | Mat |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Agron Malaj |
| • Administrative unit | 2.24 km2 (0.86 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 316 m (1,037 ft) |
| Population (2023[1]) | |
| • Administrative unit | 7,928 |
| • Administrative unit density | 3,540/km2 (9,170/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal Code | 8001 |
| Area Code | 0217 |
Burrel (alternate formsBurrel,Mat) is a town in northernAlbania, 91 km fromTirana. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision and the seat of the municipalityMat.[2] It was the seat of the formerDistrict of Mat. The population as of the 2023 census is 7,928.[1]
The last archaeological researches has explored different trails which demonstrate the population of the area from thePaleolithic era. The valley ofMati, has been populated during all the historic periods. In antiquity the region was inhabited by variousIllyrian populations including thePirustae. In second century BC the region came underRoman control.[3]
A famous native of Burrel was Ahmet Zogu, firstKing of the Albanians (born Ahmet Zogolli, later changed to Ahmet Zogu; 8 October 1895 – 9 April 1961), who reigned asKing Zog I from 1928 to 1939. He had previously been aPrime Minister of Albania between 1922 and 1924 andPresident of Albania between 1925 and 1928.
At one time, Burrel was referred to as the "city of apples" because of the apple trees that lined many of the town's streets, however, during the time of the Communist regime and the unrest following the change of government, the apple trees were cut down for profit or personal use as firewood. There are hardly any apple trees left in the town now.[4]
Burrel was a miners' town duringCommunist Albania, but the mines closed, with the exception of aferrochrome plant still operational near Burrel.
During theKosovo conflict there was a refugee camp near Burrel for 2,000 people. With food and water and supplies fromNATO andUnited States Armed Forces.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 2,141 | — |
| 1960 | 2,577 | +20.4% |
| 1969 | 3,700 | +43.6% |
| 1979 | 6,400 | +73.0% |
| 1989 | 10,343 | +61.6% |
| 2001 | 12,123 | +17.2% |
| 2011 | 10,862 | −10.4% |
| 2023 | 7,928 | −27.0% |
| Source:[5][6][1] | ||
Burrel (Burjil) is recorded in theOttomandefter of 1467 as a settlement belonging to thetimar of the local Albanians Kali Gjergji, Gjonima, Gjergji, and Todori in thevilayet of Mati. The village had a total of six households which were represented by the following household heads:Tanush Shurbi,Abati Gjergj,Andrija Riçi,Gjergj Aleksi,Peter Shpani, andGjon Skura.[7]
The city used to be the site of one of the most terrible prisons of the communist regime, where both ordinary criminals and political prisoners such asBashkim Shehu andFatos Lubonja or the Catholic priestDom Simon Jubani were held. Another famous inmate wasPjetër Arbnori, later to become a member of the free Albanian Parliament. Arbnori was known as "the Mandela of the Balkans" because of the length of his internment, which lasted for over 28 years. It was one of theLabor camps in thePSRA. The political prisoners used to be condemned for attempts at overthrowing the state oranti-communist propaganda and agitation, for terms of at least 20 years. Often they were re-condemned while in prison. After the fall of the communist regime, the government of theDemocratic Party of Albania closed the prison and made it a museum. However, in 1997,Sali Berisha re-opened it as an active prison.
The region ofMati is a real archaeological museum and an ancient cradle of theIllyrian culture. Dilaver Kurti explored objects which demonstrate fact for all ancient historic periods, cultural development not only from the region of Mati but even for all the surroundings. It is a very important zone for the study of the Illyrian culture. The Museum of Mat is a real gem of the Illyrian culture, displaying many artifacts of theIllyrians also displayed and analyzed in the book Trashigime Iliro-Arberore by Dilaver Kurti. Kurti also traveled from village to village collecting ethnographic materials and photographs which make up the material of his books Shenime Etnografike Neper Mat and Foklor Nga Mati.[8]
Klubi Sportiv Burreli (KS Burreli) is an Albanian football (soccer) club based in Burrel. Its home stadium isLiri Ballabani Stadium, also known as the Burreli Stadium, which has a capacity of 3,000 visitors.[9] Founded in 1952 under the name "KS 31 Korriku Burrel", the club first participated in the Albanian First Division in 1982. As of the 2022–2023 season, KS Burreli finished in 10th place, while playing in the Kategoria e Parë.
| Climate data for Burrel | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 7.3 (45.1) | 9.1 (48.4) | 12.6 (54.7) | 16.8 (62.2) | 21.7 (71.1) | 25.9 (78.6) | 28.4 (83.1) | 28.4 (83.1) | 24.3 (75.7) | 18.6 (65.5) | 13.1 (55.6) | 8.9 (48.0) | 17.9 (64.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 3.9 (39.0) | 5.5 (41.9) | 8.3 (46.9) | 12.1 (53.8) | 16.6 (61.9) | 20.5 (68.9) | 22.7 (72.9) | 22.6 (72.7) | 18.8 (65.8) | 14.0 (57.2) | 9.5 (49.1) | 5.6 (42.1) | 13.3 (56.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.5 (32.9) | 1.9 (35.4) | 4.0 (39.2) | 7.4 (45.3) | 11.5 (52.7) | 15.2 (59.4) | 17.1 (62.8) | 16.8 (62.2) | 13.4 (56.1) | 9.4 (48.9) | 5.9 (42.6) | 2.3 (36.1) | 8.8 (47.8) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 137 (5.4) | 125 (4.9) | 108 (4.3) | 99 (3.9) | 90 (3.5) | 59 (2.3) | 42 (1.7) | 47 (1.9) | 80 (3.1) | 113 (4.4) | 161 (6.3) | 152 (6.0) | 1,213 (47.7) |
| Source:[10] | |||||||||||||
Subdivisions ofDibër County | ||
|---|---|---|
County seat:Peshkopi | ||
| Municipality ofBulqizë |  | |
| Municipality ofDibër | ||
| Municipality ofKlos | ||
| Municipality ofMat | ||
Subdivisions ofMat municipality | ||
|---|---|---|
Municipal seat:Burrel | ||
| Administrative unit ofBaz |
|  |
| Administrative unit ofBurrel | ||
| Administrative unit ofDerjan |
| |
| Administrative unit ofKomsi |
| |
| Administrative unit ofLis | ||
| Administrative unit ofMacukull |
| |
| Administrative unit ofRukaj |
| |
| Administrative unit ofUlëz |
| |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
