Shtamë Pass National Park

Qafë-Shtamë National Park
Map showing the location of Qafë-Shtamë National Park
Location Central Albania
Nearest city Krujë
Coordinates 41°31′14″N 19°53′53″E / 41.52056°N 19.89806°E / 41.52056; 19.89806Coordinates: 41°31′14″N 19°53′53″E / 41.52056°N 19.89806°E / 41.52056; 19.89806
Area 2,000 acres
Established 1996

Qafë-Shtamë National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar i Qafë Shtamës) resides in the edge mountains Albania's north of Tirana, about 25 kilometers east of Kruja.[1] It is named after the Qafë-Shtamë passage. It has an area of 2000 acres, with a beautiful mountain scenery, some small lakes and major sources consisting mainly of pine forests. The national park was founded in 1996.[2] It is becoming lately a popular attraction for hiking.[3]

The park's name translates as pass Shtama. The road from Kruja to Burrel, runs through the park, on an altitude about 1250 meters.

Maja e Liqenit (left) and Qafë Shtama (center right) seen from the Dajt Mountain

North of the pass road, the majority of the park is mostly undeveloped mountain land with forests, in which pine trees, and oak dominate. The black pines are up to 20 meters high and 60 years old -- one of the main wood sources in Albania.[1][4] The forests provide opportunities for retreat for brown bears, wolves, foxes, and various birds,[1] actually being endangered from illegal deforestation.[4] The highest points on which it rises steeply from the Pass to the north, are the Maja e Liqenit (1724 meters) and the off peak Maja i Rjepat e Qetkolës ( 1686 meters). Maja e Liqenit should not be confused with the peak with the same name in Sharr region of Kosovo. In the south of the park is adjacent to the Dajti National Park.[5]

The most significant source of water is called Kroi i Nenës Mbretëreshë (English: Source of the Queen Mother), known for its clean, clear and healthy water.[6] The legend refers to the Albanian Royal Family, allegedly daily supply from this water source would be after of a laboratory in Vienna had awarded it as the best water in the country in 1932 by performing laboratory tests.[7][8] The word Queen Mother probably points at Sadije Toptani, the mother of Ahmet Zogu,[9] or Geraldine Apponyis, his wife, who had first visited Albania in 1937. Nena Mbretëreshë is a common name for the king's mother.[10] King Zog, was born in Mat region, originating from the east side of the pass. He is said to have also build a recreation villa in the area.
The water is also collected and taken to a bottling plant, residing a little further down from the park entrance. The produced bottled mineral water is sold nationwide under the brand Qafshtama.[8]

On 29 April 1997, an underground bunker complex on the east side of the pass was the home of a serious accident. An explosion took place in the tunnels full of ammunition and weapons, which had been stored in a military storage site during the communist era. The sites were dismantled in the 1990s. As a result of the collapse of public order, several people tried to disassemble metals to sell, without applying any care or having proper military knowledge. As a result, there was an explosion in the tunnel. 23 people were killed, including many young people from a nearby village of Selishtë[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Afërdita Elezi (2010), Guida e Natyrës Shqiptare, Merkatino
  2. ↑ "Rrjeti i zonave të mbrojtura në Shqipëri" (PDF) (in Albanian). Ministria e Mjedisit , Pyjeve dhe të Administrimit Ujërave. April 2010. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  3. ↑ World Database on Protected Areas
  4. 1 2 "Black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) resources in Albania". FAO. May 2001. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  5. ↑ Florian Baba, ed. (2009), Linja e Gjelbër Shqiptare, Tirana: Blue Agency
  6. ↑ "Shtam pass National Park". National Tourism Agency. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  7. ↑ EHW Qafeshtama Commercial (YouTube) (in Albanian). 2010-01-22. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  8. 1 2 "History and Properties". Qafshtama Water. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  9. ↑ Qafshtama Water - History
  10. ↑ Gazmend Bakiu; Nikolla Xharo (2004). "Zog I Mbreti i Shqiptarëve - Zog I" [King of Albanians] (in Albanian). Tirana: ILAR. ISBN 99927-907-7-6.
  11. ↑ Albanian Telegraphic Agency (1997-04-30). "Business of bronze casings - Cause of explosion in Military Base". Hellenic Resources Network. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
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