Delvinë

Delvinë (Greek: Δέλβινο Dhelvino) is a small town in Southern Albania, for 16 km northeast from Saranda. Delvina is principal place of the circle of the same name. Delvina lost since 1990 at least one third of its citizens and has today still 4,200 inhabitants (estimation 2004). The city is because of a mountain-slope. It has a mosque and an orthodox church. On close convenient mountain are the remainders of a medieval castle. In the level underneath the city is the antique Phoinike. In the district Delvina lives a larger Greek minority. A village of the environment is predominantly inhabited by Aromunen. Many of the Greeks, under it the young in particular, emigrated in the last years. The whole district suffers from this population decrease. Beside the state it hardly gives employer. Also of could Delvina do not boom-end tourism in Saranda yet profit directly. In the middle age Delvina was a part of the Despotat of Epirus. In the middle of the 14th century the aristocracy family Shpata has taken the rule over Delvina. 1354 are testified Peter Shpata as owners of castle and city. Area Code: + 815