Ossara

Ossara is a small village located in the Central Highlands of Albania, within the administrative boundaries of the Dibër County. It lies approximately 12 kilometres southwest of the district capital, Peshkopi, at an elevation of 980 metres above sea level. The settlement is situated near the foothills of the Korab mountain range and is accessed via a secondary road that connects to the national highway linking Kukës and Pogradec.

The first documented mention of Ossara dates to the Ottoman cadastral registers of the late 16th century, where it appears under the name "Osara" as part of the Tetovo sanjak. Throughout the Ottoman period and later under the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the village remained a minor agricultural community, primarily engaged in subsistence farming and pastoralism. After World War II, Ossara became incorporated into the Socialist Republic of Albania, during which time small collective farms were established.

In contemporary Albania, the economy of Ossara is dominated by small-scale agriculture, including the cultivation of barley, potatoes, and the rearing of sheep and goats. The village also benefits from a modest tourism sector, capitalizing on its scenic setting and traditional highland architecture. Local cultural practices include the annual “Festivali i Dorigut” (Weaver's Festival), which showcases traditional weaving techniques that have been preserved for generations. The village’s demographic profile is that of a predominantly ethnic Albanian population, with a population of roughly 320 residents according to the most recent census data.

Points of interest in the vicinity of Ossara include the 19th‑century Saint Michael's Church, which features frescoes believed to date back to the 1800s, and the nearby Natural Reserve of the Korab Valley, known for its biodiversity and endemic alpine flora. The preservation of the village’s cultural heritage and natural surroundings has attracted researchers and hikers, contributing to its gradual rise as a niche destination within the Albanian highlands.