Peqin (, Peqini) is a town and municipality in Elbasan County, central Albania. The municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Gjoçaj, Karinë, Pajovë, Peqin, Përparim and Shezë, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Peqin.
History
The city dates back 2700 years, it is mentioned as
Illyrians fortress.
The ancient name of Peqin was Claudiana/Clodiana. The city's modern name derives from the Ottoman form
Bekleyin, which means a place of hospitality. During Ottoman rule Peqin belonged to the Sanjak of Elbasan. The Ottoman
Peqin Castle still exists, along with some original parts of the mosque of Abdurrahman Pasha, who had been the governor of
Wallachia and
Moldavia (former
Bogdania). This castle was also constructed during the
Via Egnatia road being made. On the
Via Egnatia road Peqin was another stop on the road and a settlement for soldiers and there were Pashas in the castle. The last remaining resident in the castle was Demir Pasha.
Historic places
Transport
Bus
There are buses available at the center of the city which run to many places in and out of
Albania.
Train
There is a train station in the city and trains pass by on the Durrës-
Pogradec line.
Highway
There is the SH7 stateroad on the outer city ring of Peqin and starts in Rrogozhinë and ends in
Bradashesh,
Elbasan.
Sports
The football team of Peqin is
KS Shkumbini. The team was founded in 1951 and its home ground is Shkumbini Stadium with a capacity of 9,000 spectators. KS Shkumbini currently plays in the Albanian Second Division. KS Shkumbini is famous for its fans, called Besnikët, known as Faithful.
Notable people
See also
