Petrelë | |
|---|---|
 Petrelë Castle | |
.svg)  Petrelë | |
| Coordinates:41°15′N19°51′E / 41.250°N 19.850°E /41.250; 19.850 | |
| Country |  Albania |
| County | Tirana |
| Municipality | Tirana |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipal unit | 5,542 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal Code | 1034 |
| Area Code | (0)49 |
Petrelë is a village and a former municipality 15 km south ofTirana, in centralAlbania. It is part ofTirana County. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipalityTirana.[1] The population at the 2011 census was 5,542.[2] It is known for its castle and history.
According to Moikom Zeqo, Petrela was previously called Petralba, and that name evolved fromAlbanopolis, a Roman-era city mentioned byPtolemy.[3] The name Petrelë comes from the fact that the town and its castle are built on a huge stone on top of a small mountain. Halfway up the hill on which Petrela is situated are the remains of defensive walls which comprise terracing operations on the S, E, and W sides; above each section is a level area. On the best preserved, which is on the W side, rises a building to a height of 5 m and to a length of 20 m. The walls form a double ring, of which the outer section is built of square blocks which form a pseudo-isodomic structure strengthened by buttresses. In the vicinity, fragments of Hellenistic pottery have been discovered.[4]
The tower in the center was built in the 5th century AD, although most of the remainder is Byzantine, dating from between the 11th and 14th centuries. The castle was used mostly to watch for Ottoman troops marching towards inner Albania. In Ottoman times, the castle was the house ofScanderbeg's sister (Mamica Kastrioti). The town and castle were also very dear toScanderbeg, and he used to take time off to come and rest in the area.
The castle has views of the Erzen valley, the hills, olive groves, and surrounding mountains.[5]
Subdivisions ofTirana County | ||
|---|---|---|
County seat:Tirana | ||
| Municipality ofKamëz |  | |
| Municipality ofKavajë | ||
| Municipality ofRrogozhinë | ||
| Municipality ofTirana | ||
| Municipality ofVorë | ||
Subdivisions ofTirana municipality | ||
|---|---|---|
Municipal seat:Tirana | ||
| Administrative unit ofBaldushk |  | |
| Administrative unit ofBërzhitë | ||
| Administrative unit ofDajt | ||
| Administrative unit ofFarkë | ||
| Administrative unit ofKashar | ||
| Administrative unit ofKrrabë | ||
| Administrative unit ofNdroq | ||
| Administrative unit ofPetrelë | ||
| Administrative unit ofPezë | ||
| Administrative unit ofShëngjergj | ||
| Administrative unit of Tirana (1–11)[6] | ||
| Administrative unit ofVaqarr | ||
| Administrative unit ofZall-Bastar | ||
| Administrative unit ofZall-Herr | ||
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